Baselines

Set and Manage Baselines

A baseline is a snapshot of your project’s original plan. It allows you to compare your current progress against the initial schedule so you always know whether you are ahead, behind, or on track.

Create a Baseline

1. On the toolbar, click Create Baseline.
2. Enter a name for your baseline.
3. Click Create.
4. Once the baseline is created, click the Show Baseline button on the toolbar to display it on the Gantt chart.

Tip: You can create up to 11 baselines in a single project. This is useful for taking regular snapshots as the project progresses.

Show a Baseline

To display a specific baseline:

1. Open the dropdown beside the Show Baseline icon.
2. Select the baseline you want to view. The chosen baseline will appear underneath the task bars in your Gantt chart.

Edit or Update an Existing Baseline

You can update the start and end dates of an existing baseline directly on the Gantt chart.

To update a baseline:

1. Double-click the highlighted baseline line under any task.
2. Edit the Start Date and End Date.
3. Save your changes. If a new task is added after a baseline is set, you will need to create a new baseline to include that task in future comparisons.

Baselines are saved automatically whenever you save your project.

Project Management Tip

If your actual progress never seems to match your baseline, it may be time to reassess your plan. Possible causes include:

• Changes in project scope
• Underestimated resource requirements
• Delays caused by external factors Discuss these changes with your stakeholders, then consider setting a new baseline using the same steps described above.