What Makes a Good Primavera P6 Baseline Schedule?
Key elements of a clear, auditable baseline schedule.
Start with scope and contractual milestones
A baseline schedule should reflect the full contracted scope, required milestones and an understandable work breakdown structure. Key assumptions should be recorded.
Check the logic, not just the dates
Activities need appropriate predecessors and successors. Constraints and lags should be limited, justified and transparent. A credible critical path should be traceable.
Use realistic calendars and durations
Different trades and activities may require different calendars. Durations should be grounded in quantities, productivity assumptions and site conditions.
Explain the schedule
A schedule narrative should describe methodology, calendars, critical and near-critical paths, procurement, interfaces, risks and outstanding assumptions.
Keep a reliable record
Preserve the approved baseline, each update, schedule narratives and supporting progress records. This makes later reviews and delay assessment more defensible.