basisplan

BasisPlan is a planning framework used to establish a baseline plan and to analyze deviations between actual performance and planned performance. It combines baseline planning, scenario analysis, and change governance to support decision making in complex projects and programs.

At its core, BasisPlan emphasizes four elements: a baseline plan describing approved scope, schedule, and budget; scenario planning to explore alternative futures and their implications; variance tracking to compare actual results against the baseline; and a formal change control process to adjust plans when warranted.

Key components include a work breakdown structure, resource and cost plans, an integrated schedule, a risk register, and a library of scenarios. Dashboards and reporting tools support continuous visibility for stakeholders and allow quick assessment of performance against baselines.

BasisPlan is used across domains such as IT and software development, construction, engineering, urban planning, and product roadmapping. By providing a stable reference point and structured exploration of uncertainties, it helps teams optimize resource allocation, manage risk, and communicate status and options to sponsors.

Process typically follows: define a baseline plan, build a set of plausible scenarios, monitor performance and variances, invoke change control to revise baselines as needed, and document decisions. While many organizations implement BasisPlan within existing project management ecosystems, the approach remains agnostic to specific methodologies, complementing both traditional and agile practices.

See also: baseline (project management), scenario planning, change control, earned value management.