Forum Discussion
Baseline Resourcing Assistance
Hello,
I have been transferring a 1700 line schedule from a different program into MS Project.
I have got the current schedule loaded and resourced, and all is working well. I have set this now as Baseline1.
As part of reporting requirements, I have been asked to report current state (Baseline1) against original state (Baseline).
I manually loaded the original baseline dates into Baseline Start & Baseline Finish columns on the schedule, prior to setting Baseline1 in the hope this would force those dates to become Baseline.
When I run the Visual 'Baseline Work' Report for Cumulative Actual Work vs Baseline1 Work, I get the expected result, but if I also import Baseline work that data reads as 0, as it appears the resources have not applied to the baseline to create a work calculation for measurement.
How can I ensure the resources are applied to all 3 fields (Baseline, Baseline1 and Actual)?
Thanks in advance,
K
Hello Kristi_in_heels
Project doesn't calculate or relate the baseline data itself. Even if you enter the Start and Finish dates for the baseline, the Baseline Duration isn't calculated, nor is the Work done by resources on that baseline between those dates. Even manually entering baseline work for a task doesn't distribute the work hours across the baseline duration.
If you have the initial project, you can compare the fields you want from that project with those of the current project using the option: Report > Project > Compare Projects.
I hope this helps.
Ignacio
4 Replies
Hello Kristi_in_heels
Project doesn't calculate or relate the baseline data itself. Even if you enter the Start and Finish dates for the baseline, the Baseline Duration isn't calculated, nor is the Work done by resources on that baseline between those dates. Even manually entering baseline work for a task doesn't distribute the work hours across the baseline duration.
If you have the initial project, you can compare the fields you want from that project with those of the current project using the option: Report > Project > Compare Projects.
I hope this helps.
Ignacio
Thank you, I think this will get me the information I need in the first instance.
Kristi_in_heels,
Kick your heels off, let's see if we can get to the bottom of this.
First of all, what version of Project are you using?
Second, I think there is some misunderstanding in terminology. You mention needing a report of the current state, which you call "baseline1" and the original state, which you call "baseline". In Project the current state is the "live" plan, the original state is the baseline, assuming one was set before any activities were started.
Then I'm confused about the manual loading of the "original baseline dates" into the Baseline Start and Baseline Finish fields. The original baseline dates are the baseline start and baseline finish dates, again, assuming a baseline was set at the onset.
So, what really happened? There is no reason to manually do anything with baselines. Setting a baseline will automatically populate all the Baseline fields which then provide the data to compare with the current plan (active schedule) in any report. If you did not set a baseline before plan execution started then depending on how far the plan has progressed (i.e. actual performance), it may or may not be feasible to get a report of schedule performance from the onset. The best you may be able to do is to set a baseline now. You will at least be able to prepare valid reports of plan performance from this point forward.
John
Thank you, my terminology may be misleading.
Original schedule prior to commencement was created in another program, and baselined.
Various iterations were updated throughout the course of the project.
Latest (current state) version exported from that program and created in MS Project, resource loaded and working.
Request to compare current state against very first original baseline was received.
Original baseline dates from other software program was then entered into 'Baseline Start / Finish' dates column to get a comparison, noting that current version has many different tasks now expanded as the project has matured.
So the current state was essentially built before the requirement for the original baseline was requested which is why the dates have been added retrospectively.
