Purpose & Scope

Baselines are the fundamental basis of configuration management. Baselines provide:

  • A common point of reference to stakeholders needed for their activities.
  • An assurance of the stability and consistency of information.
  • A common communication of product definition.
  • An instrument for transfer of authority over all or a portion of a product’s definition.

Before any document or data set is considered part of a baseline, it must be reviewed to ensure that the document is complete, valid and suitable for use. A release system/process is employed to validate the document and file integrity.

A process or method to establish baselines must take into account:

  • What baselines are to be established in time (defining baselines against project and system lifecycles) as well as in relation to the system architecture (defining baselines against sub-systems, particular system views etc).
  • When and how baselines will be defined.
  • The process for assuring integrity of the baseline.
  • The authority to formalise baselines and approve baseline changes.
  • If and when change authority will transfer and the process by which proposed changes will be dispositioned to affect a particular baseline.
  • How to document the formal establishment decision.
  • Activities to review or quality assure the baseline before establishment.

Learning objectives

  • Understanding the concept of baselines and what it implies in general practical working scenarios.
  • Knowledge about how baselines can be identified in relation to project and system lifecycles and to system architectures.
  • Knowledge about what differs a formal baseline from an informal baseline.

Managed capability

  • Process and/or method for establishing baselines provide support for all concerned stakeholders.
  • Baselines are established with satisfying results.

Performed capability

  • Process and/or method descriptions exist for establishing baselines, but they are incomplete or too abstract to provide any real support.
  • Baselines are established in a structured manner to some degree.

Incomplete capability

  • No documented process or method exists for establishing baselines.
  • Baselines are not at all established or are established in an arbitrary manner.