Gantt Charts for Structure (DC)
Gantt Charts for Structure (DC)
Breadcrumbs

Jira-based Baselines

Jira-based baselines allow you to compare the current task timelines to timelines found in a Jira custom field or based on a formula. This allows you to compare the current chart to a previously planned schedule, alternate schedule, transition dates, or any other date/time data available in Jira.

Gantt chart with Jira Baseline

Creating a Jira-based Baseline

To create a new baseline, open the Baseline menu in the Gantt toolbar and select Create New.

Add a baseline to the Gantt chart

Give the baseline a name and select Jira-based baseline from the Type dropdown.

Jira Baseline_Cloud.png

Enter the following information:

  • Start Date - Select the custom field that contains the start dates that should be used to schedule tasks for the baseline.You can also use a formula.

  • Finish Date - Select the custom field that contains the finish date that should be used to schedule tasks for the baseline.You can also use a formula.

  • Treat task with only Start Date value as a milestone - If this option is selected, tasks that only have a value in the Start Date field will appear as milestones in the baseline.

  • Treat task with only Finish Date value as a milestone - If this option is selected, tasks that only have a value in the Finish Date field will appear as milestones in the baseline.

Jira Baseline Settings_Cloud.png

For more precise placement in the chart, use Date Time fields, rather than Date fields.


In order to create a baseline, you must be the structure owner or have Edit permissions for the structure.

Viewing a Baseline

Once created:

  • If there are start and finish values available for a task, it's baseline will appear as a dotted line in the same row as the current task

  • If you selected either of the One date-field tasks options, any issue with only a start/finish date will have a milestone baseline 

  • If there are no dates for a task, or only one date that does not match the One date-field tasks selection, no baseline will appear for that task


Popular Uses for Jira-based Baselines

  • Compare current task positions to the dates work actually started and finished for tasks: set the Start Date to "First Transition to In Progress" and set the Finish Date to "Last Transition to Done." You can also select "Transition Date..." to choose a custom transition.

  • Compare current task positions to an original project plan: use custom fields that contain the original start and finish dates (as we did above)

  • Change the project scope: when you need to add new issues to a project, you can simulate that in the chart by creating a baseline that pushes back remaining tasks. The following will push all remaining tasks back 1 month:

    1. Select "Formula..." for the Start Date and Stop Date. 

    2. Enter the following Start Date formula and map the Gant Start Date variable: IF(Status != "Done"; DATE_ADD(GanttStartDate, 1, "month"))

    3. Enter the following Finish Date formula and map the Gant Finish Date variable: IF(Status != "Done"; DATE_ADD(GanttFinishDate, 1, "month"))


Learn More