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Intermediate · 3 min read

Create, assign, and protect P6 baselines

Capture the accepted plan, assign the correct comparison baseline, display it, and control later updates or replacements.

Working definition

P6 separates creating a baseline from assigning it for comparison and earned-value use. A scheduler can create a baseline successfully and still display the current project as the comparison if assignment is missed. Professional baseline control therefore includes approval evidence, naming, creation, assignment, display verification, access control, and a documented rule for any later update or replacement.

Version scope

Desktop P6 Professional workflow. Menu labels are aligned with Oracle’s current Version 26 help; older 24.x deployments may show minor wording or privilege differences.

Key takeaways

  • Create and assign baselines as two separate controlled steps.
  • Verify bars, columns, variance fields, and earned-value baseline settings after assignment.
  • Never update, replace, or restore a governing baseline without approval and an audit record.
01

Creation is not assignment

Project > Maintain Baselines stores a copy or converts another project. Project > Assign Baselines selects the project baseline and primary, secondary, and tertiary comparison baselines. Verify the bars and variance columns after both actions.

02

Protect the yardstick

Updating an in-progress baseline can overwrite selected project or activity data. Preview changes, preserve a backup, record approval, and understand which calculated dates are not directly updated. Re-baselining and updating a baseline are governance decisions, not routine file maintenance.

Create and assign an accepted baseline

Perform the quality and approval gates before creating the record in P6.

Menu path: Project > Maintain Baselines; Project > Assign Baselines

Before you start

  • Approved native schedule
  • Approval record and date
  • Baseline naming convention
  • Maintain Baselines privilege

  1. Preserve the accepted file

    Retain the exact native schedule and approval record outside the editable current project.

    Verify: Checksum, filename, project ID, and approval date are recorded.

  2. Create the baseline

    Choose Project > Maintain Baselines > Add and save a copy of the current project as a new baseline.

    Verify: The baseline appears with a descriptive name, type, and creation date.

  3. Name and classify

    Rename the generated baseline and assign the organization’s baseline type.

    Verify: The name identifies purpose, approval, and date without ambiguity.

  4. Assign it

    Choose Project > Assign Baselines and set project and primary comparison baselines; assign secondary or tertiary only for a defined purpose.

    Verify: The intended names appear in every assignment field.

  5. Display and reconcile

    Add baseline bars and variance columns to a controlled layout.

    Verify: Sample activities and contractual milestones match the accepted native file.

  6. Lock the record

    Restrict privileges and enter the baseline in the change-control register.

    Verify: Later edits require documented authorization and can be audited.

    Field-ready control

    Baseline control gate

    • Exact approved file retained
    • Approval record linked
    • Baseline created and named
    • Project and primary baselines assigned
    • Bars and variance columns verified
    • Earned-value baseline setting checked
    • Privileges and change control confirmed

    Common questions

    Can an in-progress baseline be updated?

    P6 supports selective baseline updates, but that is a consequential governance action. Preview the exact changes, preserve the prior baseline, obtain authorization, and verify the result. Creating a new controlled baseline is often clearer.

    Sources and scope

    Follow the reference trail.

    This guide is original educational commentary. Kairos reference records identify the source organizations, editions and scope behind this guidance. The original publishers retain their publications and rights.

    Create a baselineOracle · checked 2026-08-01Assign baselines to projectsOracle · checked 2026-08-01Update a baselineOracle · checked 2026-08-01Primavera P6 Professional User Guide, Version 26Oracle · checked 2026-08-01Schedule Assessment Guide: Best Practices for Project SchedulesU.S. Government Accountability Office · checked 2026-08-01