HKSM
Baseline
An officially approved snapshot of a work product that may be altered only through formal change control and serves as the benchmark for comparing plan versus actual results.
Key Points
- Represents the approved, frozen reference version of the plan or deliverable.
- Any change to it requires a documented change request and formal approval.
- Used to measure variances and track performance against what was planned.
- Common types include scope, schedule, and cost baselines, which together support performance measurement.
Example
The project schedule is approved and set as the schedule baseline on May 1. Two weeks later, a task slips by 5 days. The team reports a 5-day schedule variance against the baseline. To reflect an approved scope change that shifts dates, the PM submits a change request; only after approval is the schedule baseline updated.
PMP Example Question
During execution, an approved scope change causes the critical path to slip by 10 days. What should the project manager do to keep performance measurement accurate?
- Update the schedule and baseline immediately to match actuals.
- Submit a change request to update the schedule baseline through integrated change control.
- Re-baseline the entire project only after project closure.
- Do nothing; baselines should never be changed.
Correct Answer: B — Submit a formal change request to update the baseline
Explanation: Baselines can be modified only through formal change control after approval; this keeps comparisons of planned versus actual results valid.
