Baseline1-10 Deliverable Start (task fields)

Data Type    Date

Entry Type    Calculated or entered

Description    The baseline deliverable start fields (Baseline1 Deliverable Start through Baseline10 Deliverable Start) contain the planned deliverable start dates saved with the corresponding project baseline. The Baseline1 Deliverable Start field stores the deliverable start date as it was when Baseline 1 was saved. Likewise, the Baseline2 Deliverable Start through Baseline10 Deliverable Start fields store planned deliverable start dates when Baseline 2 through Baseline 10 are saved.

How Calculated    The Baseline1-10 Deliverable Start fields contain NA until you set a baseline for the project for that baseline number. When you save a baseline, the current value in the Deliverable Start field is copied into the appropriate Baseline Deliverable Start field. The baseline deliverable start field that is used (for example, Baseline6 Deliverable Start) depends on which baseline was saved (for example, Baseline 6).

Best Uses    Add one of the Baseline1-10 Deliverable Start fields to a task sheet when you need to see when deliverable tasks were scheduled to start at different "snapshots" in time. You might also add the scheduled Deliverable Start field or previous Baseline Deliverable Start fields so you can see variances between the deliverable start dates at different points in time.

Example    At the start of your project two months ago, you saved your first project baseline. A month ago, the scope of your project changed, and you saved a second baseline with Baseline 1. Since then, you've made further adjustments and have saved a third baseline with Baseline 2. You want to see how the changes you've made have affected the start dates of your deliverable tasks. In the Task Sheet, you add both the Baseline2 Deliverable Start field and the Deliverable Start field.

Remarks    You can save a baseline plan in the Set Baseline dialog box. Select the baseline you want—Baseline or Baseline 1 through Baseline 10. This copies the current value of the Deliverable Start field into the corresponding Baseline Deliverable Start field.

After you save a baseline, you can change the date in the Baseline1-10 Deliverable Start field. However, edited baseline values do not cause any recalculation of baseline fields. The purpose of saving a baseline is to capture a "snapshot" of the project plan at a moment in time. Editing baseline values can change the integrity of your information and result in misleading conclusions.