The first baseline is the most important schedule on the project. Every update is measured against it. Every change is time impacted against it. If a claim arrives two years later, it will be argued against it. Yet many owners accept it in a week, because the first pay application is waiting. Here is what I check before I recommend acceptance.
1. Does it reflect how the work can actually be built?
Start with the sequence, not the software. Walk the logic for one floor, one area or one system and ask the superintendent whether that is how the crews will move. A schedule that passes every metric and fails this question is still a bad baseline.
2. Is the logic complete?
Every activity needs a predecessor and a successor, apart from the start and finish. Open ends let work float free of what it feeds, and the finish date never feels the slip.
3. Where are the constraints, and why?
Hard constraints hold dates in place regardless of logic. Each one should match a real contract date or an outside commitment. Anything else is hiding float, or hiding the lack of it.
4. Is the float believable?
Very high float usually means missing logic. Negative float on day one means the plan cannot meet its own dates. Both need an answer in writing.
5. Are long-lead items in the network?
Submittal, approval, fabrication and delivery for major equipment should be activities with logic, tied to the work they release. Approval durations are where owners lose the most time without noticing.
6. Are owner activities realistic?
Owner reviews, owner-furnished equipment, permits and utility work are often given short durations that the owner never agreed to. Check yours. You will be held to them.
7. Do the milestones match the contract?
Substantial completion, interim milestones and any phased turnovers should match the contract exactly, with the work that drives each one visible.
8. Is it built to be updated?
Activity codes, WBS, calendars and cost loading should support the reports you will need every month. Fixing structure later is expensive.
Does the baseline reflect how the work can actually be built?
Emmanuel Ugbaja, Principal & CEO
You can run the software checks yourself in the Schedule Health Check. For the judgment calls, ask us for a baseline schedule review before you accept it.
