FINALIZE AND APPROVE BASELINE SCHEDULE
Use Case
The scheduler finishes detailing out the schedule and reviews it with his project team. Once finalized, he submits the proposed baseline schedule to the client, who after some adjustments approves the schedule. The scheduler makes a baseline copy of the project.
This section covers how to export the detailed CPM schedule for review and how to create a baseline copy of the schedule once approved.
Schedule Export
When the schedule is ready to be submitted for approval, you have several export options available. The following sections will demonstrate two common export types: XER and PDF.
Export XER File
Follow the steps below to learn how to export to an XER file.
Step 1
From the Plan view, you click the Export icon at the top right of the page.
Step 2
Open the Export Type drop-down menu and select Primavera P6 XER.
Step 3
Click Export. The XER file will download to your browser’s Download folder.
Export PDF File
You have the option of saving the schedule as a printable PDF file. Follow the steps below to learn how to customize and save a PDF.
Step 1
From the Plan view, you click the Print icon at the top right of the page.
Step 2
The print view opens to the Page Setup tab, where you can change the paper size, orientation, scaling, header, and footer settings.
Step 3
You switch to the Gantt tab. Here you can select start and end dates and a timescale period such as Week, Month, or Quarter. You can also choose to hide the Gantt chart and/or show the histogram.
Step 4
When you’re satisfied with your settings, click Save to PDF.
Step 5
A success message will show when the PDF has been saved successfully. Your file is now ready for sharing or printing.
Create Baseline Schedule
After the schedule is approved, you can create a baseline schedule. This copy of the schedule maintains a record of what was agreed to during the approval process, and in some cases may represent a contractual agreement. As the project progresses, stakeholders can compare updated versions of the schedule to the baseline.
Follow the steps below to see how this works.
Step 1
From the Plan view, click the Snapshot icon at the top right of the page.
Step 2
In the Iris panel, click Create copy of current schedule.
Step 3
Input a name for the baseline schedule and click Create new schedule.
Step 4
Now that the copy has been created, you can configure it as a baseline schedule.
Return to the Project List view to access the copy of the schedule. Under the column Schedule Type, open the drop-down menu and select Active Baseline.
Step 5
Now the baseline will automatically be assigned to the schedule as the active baseline.
If you need to assign the baseline manually, return to the Snapshot page in the Iris panel. In the Active Baseline field, select the saved copy from the drop-down menu. Then click Save.
Compare Schedules
With the active baseline schedule saved, you can quickly compare schedule details in the Iris panel.
You can also see the baseline represented on the Gantt chart.
Access the following link for additional information on baseline schedules.: