Baseline Requirements
Establising the baseline requirements

The baseline document sets the standard for Business Requirements and is available to all Stakeholders. The document forms the basis for all work performed on the project for which it was developed for and identifies an organization's expected capabilities without limiting its potential to pursue unexpected opportunities.

The baseline document also helps determine the estimated level of improvement that may be achieved through the realization of the Business Requirements. The baseline becomes, in effect, an organization's operational Bible.

Maintaining the official Business Requirements Document--from the initial version through any and all amendments--generally becomes the responsibility of one person, such as a Requirements Manager or the Project Manager. The baseline should be reviewed throught the project--to ensure scope containment. The review involves such people as the Project Manager and the project and quality management teams.

Changes may also come about through Stakeholder feedback. Users are especially likely to spot deficiencies in Business Requirements or to propose improvements not previously considered.

Any proposed changes must be made via a formal request and will be reviewed in relation to possible impact on requirements baseline(s), scope, schedule, cost, contract, and work in progress. Making changes may involve further study and repetition of the Requirements Management Process.

The baseline is not a static document but rather organic in nature. Changes to the Business Requirements Document will continue throughout the project and throughtout useful life of the document.

ClearlyPUT's Requirementing process uses baseline requirements in it's process.

Summary

Once all Business Requirements have been reviewed and approved, the "baseline" is established in the first official Business Requirements Document, which is available to all Stakeholders. The baseline should be reviewed throughout the project to ensure its ongoing validity. Any proposed changes must be made via a formal request. Changes to the Business Requirements Document will continue throughout the useful life of the document.

Requirementing Steps