Baseline scheduling

Baseline scheduling is a way to show how the original schedule compares to the actual schedule.  To support baseline, the following SmartColumns are available: Baseline Start date, Baseline End date and Baseline Duration SmartColumns.  Use the  Baseline Setup Wizard to establish the baseline symbology. Other Baseline options are to highlight, hide and lock the baseline task bars, and hide the summary baseline task bars.  If the schedule is outlined, the summary bar can also show a baseline. 

Tutorial Lesson 17 - Work with a Baseline

Contents

Set up the baseline

Insert a baseline

Add baseline SmartColumns

Hide, lock, or delete a baseline

Add baseline symbols to the toolbox

Before adding  baseline task bars to the schedule, it's best to first select which symbols and bars will represent baseline dates for tasks and summary levels.

Using the Baseline Setup Wizard, establish standard symbology for task and summary rows..

Choose baseline symbology using the Baseline Setup Wizard:

The Baseline Setup Wizard allows the user to choose which symbols and bars from the toolbox will be used for task and summary baseline activities. Selected symbols will be changed to Baseline Symbols.

1. Choose View | Baseline | Baseline Setup .

2. Select a Baseline Start Date (Task) symbol for non-summary tasks.

   • The preview displays the current selections.

3. Select a Baseline Bar (Task) and Baseline End Date (Task) symbol.

4. Click Next >.

5. Select symbols and a bar for baseline summary task bars, then Next >.

6. Choose from baseline display options:

   • Lock Baseline Symbols and Bars: Ability to move a baseline symbol is disabled. Also prevents user from defining other symbols in the toolbox as Baseline Symbols.

   • Hide Baseline Symbols and Bars: Removes the baseline symbols and bars from the screen, without deleting them.

   • Highlight Baseline Symbols and Bars: Adds a yellow highlight to baseline symbols and bars.

   • Hide Baseline Summary Bars: Removes the baseline summary bars from the screen without deleting them.

7. Click Finish to apply choices and exit the wizard.

Add a baseline

Insert a baseline

1. On the Insert tab choose Insert or Remove a Baseline.

2. Choose Insert a Baseline.

The baseline is added using symbols and bars established via the Baseline Setup Wizard. (see above)

Show, hide, lock and delete the baseline

Remove a baseline using the Insert tab

1. On the Insert tab choose Insert or Remove a Baseline.

2. Choose Remove all Baselines.

Delete all baseline symbols via the Edit tab

1. On the Edit tab choosefor All Baseline Symbols.

2. Choose Remove all Baselines.

Hide or show the baseline summary bars

1. Choose View | Baseline.

2.  or   Hide Baseline Summary Bars.

Highlight or un-highlight the baseline schedule:

The baseline task bars can be highlighted as shown below

1. Choose View | Baseline.

2.  or  Highlight Baseline.

Lock or unlock the baseline schedule:

The baseline schedule can be locked. When it is locked, no baseline symbols can be moved. Also, no changes can be made to the baseline symbology.

1. Choose View | Baseline.

2.  or   Lock Baseline.

Add a baseline start or baseline end SmartColumn:

1. Choose Insert | Rows, Columns | New Column | Dates...

2. Then, Baseline Start Date and    Baseline End Date.

3. Before entering baseline dates,the baseline symbology must be selected.

A Baseline Duration SmartColumn can be used to show the amount of time worked according to the baseline symbols. The duration value can be shown in minutes, hours, days or weeks. Optionally, indicator symbols, text and colors can appear based on the duration values.

Add a Baseline Duration SmartColumn:

1. Choose Insert | Rows, Columns | New Column | Duration...

2. Baseline Duration.

3. Optionally, click once on the new column heading "Base. Dur." to display the Selection menu and view the formatting options.

Factors which impact duration computation:

• The workday start and end times affect duration values displayed in hours.

• Whether or not Saturdays and Sundays are set as working days.

• Holidays that have been indicated.

Change any symbol in the toolbox to a Baseline Symbol

1. Double-click a symbol in the toolbox.
2. Click the Symbol Shape tab.
3. Choose Baseline Symbol.