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The concept of "project management" emerged from various fields like defense, construction, and engineering. Henry Gantt, an American researcher famous for introducing the Gantt chart as a project management tool, is often referred to as the originator of project management planning and control methods.

A project management plan is a formal, authorized paper that explains how a project is carried out, watched over, and managed. This plan might include subsidiary management plans and other planning papers.

Alternatively, we can describe project management as the utilization of knowledge, skills, tools, and methods across a wide range of tasks to fulfill the needs of a specific project.

Objectives of project management plan

• Establish project aims and objectives: this refers to defining the overall purpose and specific targets that a project intends to achieve
   
• Outline tasks or methods for goal accomplishment: this involves breaking down the project's goals and objectives into actionable tasks, activities, and steps that need to be executed to achieve the desired outcomes.
   
• Clarify project scope and approach: this involves defining and refining the boundaries and parameters of the project, as well as establishing the overall strategy and methods that will be used to achieve the project's goals.
   
• Recognize project risks, assumptions, and limitations: this includes identifying and understanding the potential uncertainties, underlying assumptions, and restrictions that could impact the project's success.
   
• Define key products and outcomes: this involves specifying the primary deliverables, results, and achievements that the project aims to produce to meet the expectations of the relevant stakeholders..

Establishing a ‘project baseline’ is a fundamental and indispensable step in project management. It serves as a reference point against which progress, performance, and success are measured. This baseline acts as a snapshot that captures the initial expectations and plans for the project's scope, schedule, and budget.

Creation of “project baseline”

• Recognizing Processes: Baselines may be required for various aspects of the project including time, cost, scope, quality, benefits, and risks.. It is crucial to identify the processes utilized in their creation.
• Documentation: Once essential aspects are identified, it's important to establish a dependable baseline that captures the consistent, long-term performance of a product or service. If the combined average capability remains steady over time, the process of creating the baseline can be finalized.

In conclusion, the establishment of a Project Management Plan and other essential baselines forms the bedrock of effective project execution and control. These baselines, encompassing scope, schedule, budget, and more, provide a structured framework that guides the project from inception to completion.

The Project Management Plan acts as the roadmap, outlining the project's goals, objectives, scope, stakeholders, communication strategies, risk management approaches, and more. It's a comprehensive document that lays the foundation for project success by clarifying roles, responsibilities, and processes.

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