Baseline Change Request (BCR)

EVM Terms Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: A Baseline Change Request (BCR) is the formal document that proposes a change to the baseline, along with its justification and its impact on scope, cost, and schedule.

A BCR captures what's changing, why, and what it will do to the project's scope, cost, and schedule before that change is approved and applied to the baseline. It's sometimes called a Baseline Change Proposal (BCP) instead, depending on the organization's terminology.

Why it matters

Requiring a documented BCR ensures every baseline change goes through the same scrutiny — nothing shifts the baseline without a clear justification and a visible record of its impact. That documentation trail is essential for understanding why a baseline looks the way it does later on.

Also known as
Baseline Change Proposal (BCP)
Used in
Baseline Change Control process

FAQ

Is a BCR the same as a BCP?
Yes — they're two names for the same type of document, and different organizations may use either term.
What information does a BCR need to include?
A description of the proposed change, the justification for it, and the resulting impacts to scope, cost, and schedule.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
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