> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.glidepathcpm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Baselines and Versions

> Capturing and comparing project baselines

# Baselines and Versions

Capture project baselines to track schedule variance and compare historical versions of your schedule.

## Feature Spec Reference

**Module 3 context, Module 8 (implied)**

## What Is a Baseline?

A **baseline** is a snapshot of your project schedule at a specific point in time. Common baseline points:

* **Project Approval:** Baseline at kickoff, before any work begins
* **Phase Completion:** Baseline after each major phase
* **Contract Amendment:** Baseline when schedule is officially updated
* **Monthly Snapshots:** Regular baseline for trend analysis

## Capturing a Baseline

### Step 1: Establish the Baseline

1. Open **Project Settings** → **Baselines**
2. Click **+ Capture Baseline**
3. Enter:
   * **Baseline Name** (e.g., "Approved Schedule", "Phase 1 Complete", "Revision 1")
   * **Description** (optional, e.g., reason or context for the baseline)
   * **Date** (defaults to today)
4. Click **Capture**

### Step 2: Baseline Saved

* GlidePath saves current task list, dates, durations, dependencies
* Baseline is stored with snapshot date and description
* You can now edit the schedule; baseline remains unchanged

## Comparing Variance

Once a baseline is captured, you can compare current schedule to baseline:

1. Open **Gantt Chart** → **View** menu
2. Select **Show Baseline Comparison**
3. Baseline dates appear alongside current dates in columns:
   * **Baseline Start vs. Current Start**
   * **Baseline Finish vs. Current Finish**
   * **Variance** = Current Date - Baseline Date

### Variance Indicators

* **Green:** On or ahead of baseline
* **Yellow:** 1–5 days behind baseline
* **Red:** >5 days behind baseline

## Baseline History

In **Project Settings** → **Baselines**, you see:

* List of all captured baselines
* Date captured
* Number of tasks
* Description/notes

### Using Baseline History

* **Restore Previous Baseline:** If major changes occurred, you can restore a previous baseline
* **Delete Old Baseline:** Remove baselines no longer needed (after archiving project, etc.)
* **Export Baseline:** Export a specific baseline's dates to CSV for reporting

## Screenshot

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/glide-path/assets/screenshots/08-03-baseline-management-panel-variance.png" alt="Baseline Management Panel" />

*Baseline management showing captured baselines and variance comparison.*

## Common Workflows

| Scenario                | Baseline Use                                                       |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Monthly Status Report   | Compare current schedule to approved baseline, report variance     |
| Change Order Assessment | Capture baseline before changes, show impact of changes            |
| Trend Analysis          | Capture monthly baselines, track if schedule is slipping           |
| Client Reporting        | Use baseline as the "contract schedule", show current vs. contract |

***

## Next Steps

* [Project Settings](/admin/01-project-settings)
* [User Management](/admin/02-user-management)