Use > Configuration Management > Configuration Management workflows and user tasks > Configuration items > Baselines > Baseline statuses

Baseline statuses

Each baseline record requires a status, which determines where the record is in its life cycle. It is also requires that you indicate whether the changing of baseline attributes is allowed and whether associating CIs is allowed. Baseline records list the following status indicators in sequential order.

Status Sequence Description Allows editing attributes? Allows associating CIs?
Analysis 1 ITIL statuses that you can use to evaluate, plan, and implement your baseline record. Baselines in any of these statuses allow you to add, remove, or change attributes and attribute values, but prevent you from associating CIs because associated changes are not yet authorized. Yes No
Design 2 Yes No
Develop 3 Yes No
Authorized 4 This status indicates that the baseline is ready for use with your Configuration Management and Change Management processes. You can no longer edit attributes and attribute values without creating a new version of baseline. You can associate or disassociate CIs to an authorized baseline. No Yes
Retiring 5 This status indicates that you are disassociating CIs from this baseline and associating them to another baseline or version. After all CIs have been disassociated with this baseline, it is ready for the next status. No No
Retired 6 This status indicates a past baseline. Baselines in the retired status should not be associated with any CIs. All CIs should be associated with another version or baseline. No No

You can only change the baseline status from a lower sequence to a higher sequence. For example, you can change a baseline in the analysis status (sequence 1) directly to the authorized status (sequence 4), but you cannot change a retired baseline (sequence 6) to the analysis state (sequence 1). If you want to create an editable copy of an existing baseline, you can create a new version of the baseline. The new version starts with all the same attribute names and values as the old baseline, but the status returns to the analysis state.

Authorize a baseline

Applies to User roles: System Administrator

To associate configuration items (CIs) to a baseline record, you must first authorize the baseline record. After you authorize a baseline record, you can no longer change its attributes, but you can create a new version.

To authorize a baseline, follow these steps:

  1. Click Configuration Management > Resources > Baseline.

  2. Use search or advanced search to find one or more records.

  3. Select the baseline record you want to authorize from the list of search results. Service Managerdisplays the details of the selected baseline record.

  4. Click Authorized in the Status field.

    Note You can only authorize baseline records that are currently in the Analysis, Design, or Develop states.

  5. Click Save. Service Manager authorizes the baseline record, and you can now associate CIs to it.

Retire a baseline

Applies to User roles: System Administrator

You can retire a baseline record when you no longer want to associate configuration items (CIs) to it. After you retire a baseline record, you can no longer associate CIs to it, but you can create a new version.

Note You can only retire a baseline record that does not have any associated CIs. You can always retire baselines records that are in the Analysis, Design, and Develop states because those states do not have associated CIs. You must disassociate CIs from a baseline before you can retire the baseline.

To retire a baseline, follow these steps:

  1. Click Configuration Management > Resources > Baseline.

  2. Type any search criteria that you want to use to find the baseline record.
  3. Use search or advanced search to find one or more records.

  4. Select the baseline record that you want to retire from the list of search results. Service Manager displays the details of the selected baseline record.

  5. Click Retiring in the Status field.

  6. Click Save. Service Manager marks the baseline record as Retiring, and you can now disassociate CIs from it.

  7. Search for CIs that are associated to the baseline you want to retire. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Click Configuration Management > Resources > Search CIs.

    2. Click the Advanced Filter tab.

    3. Click the Add New Filter Criteria button. Service Manager opens the Add Filter Criteria wizard.

    4. Select the following filtering criteria.

      Field in Configuration ItemComparisonValue
      BaselineEquals<Baseline name>

      For <Baseline name>, select the baseline you want to retire.

    5. Click Search. Service Manager opens a list of CI records that are associated to the baseline you want to retire.

  8. Disassociate the CIs from the baseline you want to retire. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Click Mass Update. Service Manager opens a list of fields you can update.

    2. Select the following mass update values.

      CaptionValue
      Baseline<New baseline name>
      Baseline Version<New baseline version number>

      For <New baseline name>, type the name of the new baseline you want to manage the CIs.

      For <New baseline version number>, type the version number of the new baseline you want to manage the CIs. Do not add this field if you are not using baseline versions.

    3. Click Execute. Service Manager updates the CI records to use the new baseline name and version.

  9. Retire the baseline. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Click Configuration Management > Resources > Baseline.

    2. Use search or advanced search to find one or more records.

    3. Select the baseline record you want to retire from the list of search results. Service Manager displays the details of the selected baseline record.

    4. Click Retired in the Status field.

      Note Service Manager displays an error message if you attempt to retire a baseline that still has associated CIs.

    5. Click Save. Service Manager marks the baseline record as retired.