Good morning everyone, I'm currently studying for my CAPM exam and I'm having difficulty understanding what exactly is a baseline and how it differs from the project management plan?
I'm also struggling with the difference between a directive PMO versus a controlling PMO, any feedback is greatly appreciated and I thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Saving Changes...
The baseline plan is your fixed reference system that you measure your results against for a period of performance. At the beginning of the project, you establish and commit to a baseline plan including major milestones and costs using the best information you have at the time. You don't know everything at that point however.
As you dig into the details, you may discover that the actual work required or your "true plan" (to distinguish it from the baseline plan) may exceed your baseline budget or timeline. You have to work to the true plan, because that is your current best information about what the project requires, and you can work to adjust that plan so that it aligns with your baseline (the reference system), but the baseline remains untouched as what you thought it would take, before you knew all the details.
During a later period of performance, you may decide that you need to re-align your baseline to reality (re-baseline the plan) so that you can manage the project better, but for that established timeframe, the baseline remains fixed with the true plan adjusts based on day to day realities. Saving Changes...
