For example, you can see the variance between your baseline task durations and your actual task durations when using the “Variance” view of the table within a Gantt Chart view of your project file. Once you have a baseline created, you can then compare the saved values in the baseline against the actual work values that you record.
You can then click the “OK” button to save your current project file as the selected baseline. Next, in the “For:” section, select the “Entire project” option button. You can have up to eleven different baseline copies of your project file that you can create for comparison purposes. In the “Set Baseline” dialog box that appears, select the “Set baseline” option button and then select the name of the baseline copy that you want to create from the adjacent drop-down. In the drop-down menu that appears, select the “Set Baseline…” command. To save a baseline copy of your project file, click the “Project” tab in the Ribbon and then click the “Set Baseline” drop-down button in the “Schedule” button group. This data can then be displayed and printed using the different views and reports within Microsoft Project. This allows you to compare the actual values, durations, and work associated with the completion of the project’s tasks to your original baseline plan. You can use the baseline as a reference point later on as you begin to track the actual work performed on the project. Before you begin to record the actual progress made (actual work performed) on the tasks within your project file, you should save a copy of the original project plan. Word and Excel (PC/Windows) 2021-2016 and 365Īt this point in your project development, you should have an initial project plan created.