This baseline management process flowchart focuses on program-level baseline management.
Baseline establishment occurs during investment analysis.
It consists of the planning and decision-making activities that translate the information in the Mission Need Statement into a quantified set of cost, schedule, performance, and benefit requirements for each candidate solution to mission need. These requirements are recorded in the Acquisition Program Baseline, which is approved by the Joint Resources Council at the Investment Decision. The APB specifies the product that must be delivered and cost and schedule constraints. Because the APB captures approved requirements for an acquisition program, it is mandatory for the Integrated Product Team to participate actively in its development. The APB is the planning baseline for the program, and achievement of baseline values is crucial for program success.