CAPM Practice: Demonstrate an understanding of a project management plan schedule

The schedule baseline is a formal project document that can only be modified through integrated change control. Changes require a formal request, impact analysis, appropriate approvals (sponsor, CCB), and documentation. Automatic updates when actuals differ are updates to the current schedule — not the baseline — which remains fixed for performance measurement purposes.

**Why not B:** Allowing any team member with software access to change the baseline would undermine the entire purpose of baselines. Baselines require formal approval authority, not just technical access. Uncontrolled changes would make performance measurement meaningless.

**Why not C:** Automatic updates when actual dates differ from planned dates would destroy the baseline's function as a stable reference point. Actual performance changes are reflected in the current schedule, not the baseline. The baseline must remain fixed to enable meaningful variance analysis.

**Why not D:** The project manager alone does not have authority to change the baseline at will. Baseline changes require formal approval from the sponsor, Change Control Board, or other designated authority. Unilateral baseline changes would bypass the governance structure.