Keeping projects on track isn’t just about planning it’s about knowing when things drift and acting before small issues become big delays. That’s exactly where the Baseline feature in the new Microsoft Planner comes in.
Now available in Microsoft Planner premium plans (formerly Project for the web), Baseline gives project managers a clear point of reference to measure progress, performance, and change over time.
What Is a Baseline in Microsoft Planner?
A Baseline captures the state of your project at a specific moment in time. It records key details such as:
- Task start and finish dates
- Dependencies and sequencing
- Overall project structure
Once saved, the Baseline becomes your original plan the benchmark you use to compare against real world execution.
As work progresses, you can instantly see whether your project is:
- On schedule
- Starting to drift
- At risk of missing key milestones
Why Baselines Matter in Project Management
Without a Baseline, it’s impossible to answer critical questions like:
- Are we behind, or did the plan change?
- Which delays are new, and which were expected?
- How much has scope or timing shifted since approval?
Baselines help project managers:
- Detect schedule slippage early
- Communicate changes clearly to stakeholders
- Make data-backed decisions instead of relying on gut feel
In short, Baseline turns planning into accountability.
Who Can Use the Baseline Feature?
The Baseline feature is available to:
- Project Plan 3 and above users
- Teams using the new Microsoft Planner app in Microsoft Teams
If you’re already managing premium plans in Planner, you’re ready to use it.
How to Set a Baseline in Microsoft Planner
Setting a Baseline takes just a few clicks.
Step 1: Open Your Plan
Launch the new Planner app in Teams and open your premium plan.
Step 2: Create the Baseline
Select the Baseline button and click Create baseline.
That’s it. Your project’s Baseline is now saved.
Monitoring Progress Against the Baseline
Once a Baseline is set, you can return to it at any time to:
- Compare planned vs. actual dates
- Spot schedule deviations
- Identify tasks that are slipping
- Assess overall project health
This makes progress reviews faster, clearer, and more objective.
When Should You Set a Baseline?
Best practice is to create a Baseline:
- After project planning is complete
- Once stakeholders approve the schedule
- Before execution begins
You can also reset or create new Baselines if major scope changes occur, giving you a clean reference for each project phase.
Why Baseline Improves Project Outcomes
By using Baseline in Microsoft Planner, teams gain:
- Better visibility into schedule performance
- Clear evidence when plans change
- Stronger stakeholder trust
- Earlier risk detection
Instead of reacting to missed deadlines, you can proactively manage course corrections.
Final Thoughts
The Baseline feature in the new Microsoft Planner is more than a planning tool it’s a control mechanism for modern project management.
If you’re using Microsoft 365 and managing complex initiatives, setting a Baseline is one of the simplest ways to improve predictability, accountability, and delivery confidence.
A clear plan is good.
A measurable plan is better.
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