Baseline

What is a Basline?

At its core, a baseline represents a clearly defined “frozen state” of a planning parameter. It is typically established after the planning phase has been completed and may not be changed without formal approval. Baselines may relate to individual aspects such as scope, schedule, or cost, or they may be used as a combined performance reference.

A baseline is not a static document that is simply archived; rather, it serves as the central foundation for subsequent performance and progress measurement. It answers the question of whether a project plan is being followed, improved, or needs adjustment.

Function and Purpose Throughout the Project Lifecycle

Establishing a baseline serves several key purposes:

• It creates a clear reference point against which the actual state can be compared to the plan.
• Deviations in scope, time, or cost become measurable and manageable.
• Baselines support change control by clearly defining which changes require formal approval.
• They form the basis for common controlling methods such as Earned Value Management (EVM).

Typical Components of a Baseline

In traditional projects, baselines are usually defined for the following aspects:

• Scope Baseline: Defines what is included in the project and what will be delivered.
• Schedule Baseline: The approved project schedule, including milestones.
• Cost Baseline: The original, approved budget plan.

Together, these three baselines often form the Performance Measurement Baseline, which is used to assess performance deviations throughout the project.