The baseline may also represent a contractual obligation for the project. For example, if your project has several phases, you can save a separate baseline at the end of each phase, to compare planned values against actual data.īecause the baseline provides the reference points against which you compare actual project progress, the baseline should include your best estimates for task duration, start and finish dates, costs, and other project variables that you want to monitor. As the project progresses, you can set additional baselines (to a total of 11 for each project) to help measure changes in the plan. BaselinesĪ baseline is a group of nearly 20 primary reference points (in five categories: start dates, finish dates, durations, work, and cost estimates) that you can set to record the original project plan when that plan is completed and refined. But they have important differences that you want to get straight. Learn more about baselines and interim plansīaseline plans and interim are similar in that they you compare current dates against an early date.
