What is a baseline in project management and which baselines exist?

What is a baseline in project management and which baselines exist?

• A. A theoretical plan that is never changed.
• B. The final project deliverable.
• C. The approved plan against which performance is measured; baselines include schedule baseline and cost baseline (and scope baseline in some frameworks).
• D. A document containing stakeholder contact details.

Answer: (C)

In project management, a baseline is the approved version of the plan that serves as the reference point for measuring progress. It is not just a draft you never touch; it’s a formally authorized plan from which performance is tracked. Because baselines are controls, any deviations are examined and require an approved change process before they become official rebaselining or adjustments to the plan. Typically, the baselines you work with are the schedule baseline (the approved timeline against which actual progress is measured) and the cost baseline (the approved budget against which spending is tracked). In many frameworks, a scope baseline is also included, consisting of the approved scope statement and the work breakdown structure (WBS) with its definitions. These baselines together form the measurement reference for performance monitoring and reporting. So, the best answer describes the baseline as the approved plan against which performance is measured, noting that baselines include schedule and cost (and, in some frameworks, scope). The other options don’t fit: a deliverable is the end product, not the measurement reference; baselines are not unchangeable plans, since changes require formal approval; and stakeholder contact details aren’t a project performance baseline.

In project management, a baseline is the approved version of the plan that serves as the reference point for measuring progress. It is not just a draft you never touch; it’s a formally authorized plan from which performance is tracked. Because baselines are controls, any deviations are examined and require an approved change process before they become official rebaselining or adjustments to the plan.

Typically, the baselines you work with are the schedule baseline (the approved timeline against which actual progress is measured) and the cost baseline (the approved budget against which spending is tracked). In many frameworks, a scope baseline is also included, consisting of the approved scope statement and the work breakdown structure (WBS) with its definitions. These baselines together form the measurement reference for performance monitoring and reporting.

So, the best answer describes the baseline as the approved plan against which performance is measured, noting that baselines include schedule and cost (and, in some frameworks, scope). The other options don’t fit: a deliverable is the end product, not the measurement reference; baselines are not unchangeable plans, since changes require formal approval; and stakeholder contact details aren’t a project performance baseline.