Baseline Start

This value is based on the date you enter in the Fixed at field on either the Schedule page or the Settings tab. If the event is dependent on another event, this date is determined by the end date of the dependency.

The baseline start date reflects the date you enter when creating the event. If you edit the date after event creation, and the Lock baseline dates option on the Schedule page is selected, the baseline date on the Tracking page remains the same, while the planned dates change.

Once an actual start or end date is entered for any event in the project, the baseline dates are locked automatically.

Baseline End

The baseline end date for a task is determined by the baseline start date (in the Fixed at field on the Schedule page), or by the dependency end date, plus the value in the Duration field.

Once an actual start or end date is entered for any event in the project, the baseline dates are locked automatically.

Planned Start

This value is based on the date you enter in the Fixed at field on either the Schedule page or the Settings tab. If the event is dependent on another event, this date is determined by the end date of the dependency.

The planned start date is identical to the baseline start date, unless the baseline dates are locked. You lock the baseline dates by checking the Lock baseline dates box on the Schedule page or by entering an actual start or end date for any event in the project. If baseline dates are locked, and you edit the dates on the Schedule page, the planned date values on the Tracking page will change, while the baseline date values remain the same.

Planned End

The planned end date for a task is determined by the planned start date (in the Fixed at field on the Schedule page), or by the dependency end date, plus the value in the Duration field.

The planned end date is identical to the baseline end date, unless the baseline dates are locked. You lock the baseline dates by checking the Lock baseline dates box on the Schedule page or by entering an actual start or end date for any event in the project. If baseline dates are locked, and you edit the dates on the Schedule page, the planned date values on the Tracking page will change, while the baseline date values remain the same.

Actual Start

You enter the actual start date after a task is started or a milestone is accomplished. Entering the actual start date for an event is crucial to project schedule tracking.

Once an actual start or end date is entered for any event in the project, the baseline dates are locked automatically.

Actual End

You enter the actual end date after a task is finished or a milestone is accomplished. Entering the actual end date for an event is crucial to project schedule tracking.