A baseline is a copy, or snapshot, of project data at a given time. Because a baseline is a static representation of a project plan, it can be used as a benchmark against which to measure performance as a project progresses.
You can create multiple baselines to establish metrics throughout the project life cycle. Typically, you would want to create an initial baseline once the project plan is approved, then you would create additional baselines according to your organization's requirements. For example, you could create new baselines at specific reporting intervals.
Although many baselines can be created for a project, only two baselines can be used at any given time to display and compare data. These are known as the Project Baseline and User's Primary Baseline. The current project can also be used as the baseline, for example, in situations where no other baseline yet exists.
The Project Baseline is a single metric for comparison that enables all members of a team to have a shared and consistent set of data against which to evaluate project progress. There is only one Project Baseline at any time. All pages that display summarized data compare and display data against the Project Baseline. As a project progresses, you can update baseline data.
The User's Primary Baseline is an optional personal baseline that is used to evaluate project progress.
Note:
For further information about baseline date calculations, see the following knowledge management documents:
- How Are Baseline Dates Calculated In P6? [VIDEO] [ID 1402883.1] https://support.oracle.com/epmos/faces/ui/km/DocumentDisplay.jspx?id=1402883.1
- How Baseline Dates Are Calculated in P6 [ID 893342.1] https://mosemp.us.oracle.com/epmos/faces/DocumentDisplay?id=893342.1