International Project Management Association (IPMA) Practice Exam

The project baselines include the original project plan:

1. Less any rework

2. Less any activities skipped

3. Plus approved changes

4. Plus proposed changes

The correct answer is: Plus approved changes

The project baselines serve as a reference point for measuring project performance and progress. The original project plan reflects the intended scope, schedule, and budget at the outset of the project. When discussing project baselines, it’s essential to recognize that they will change over time due to various factors such as approved changes that occur during the project lifecycle. Including approved changes in the project baselines is crucial because it allows project managers and stakeholders to have an updated reference that considers the realistic state of the project. Approved changes can arise from scope adjustments, client feedback, or unforeseen circumstances that necessitate alterations to keep the project aligned with its objectives. Therefore, the baseline not only represents what was originally planned but also incorporates these adjustments to reflect a more accurate status of the project. The other options do not accurately capture the nature of what constitutes the project baseline. Excluding rework or skipped activities does not reflect the full scope or reality of project progress, while proposed changes have not been formally accepted and thus should not be part of the official project baseline until they are approved.