Baseline
A baseline is an initial measurement or description of a condition to which subsequent changes are compared.
Definition
Without a baseline, it is difficult to judge whether there has been progress, deterioration or an effect of the intervention. It may concern mood, sleep, number of activities performed, stress level, working hours or behavior. A good baseline is specific, repeatable, and measured before change begins.
Key ideas
- Reference point
- Measurement before change
- Data comparability
Practice and life
For 7 days, measure one thing before changing, e.g. hours of sleep, number of breaks, mood 1-10, or attention span.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to judge the effectiveness of a change without a point of reference. It is also a mistake to collect too much data that no one analyzes later.
> Without a starting point, it is difficult to distinguish change from the impression of change.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What do I measure before changing?
- Can the measurement be repeated?
- How long will it take for me to compare the result?