A Milestone is a significant point or event within a portfolio, program, or project that marks the completion of a major phase, deliverable, or decision point. Milestones are zero-duration markers used to track progress, validate alignment with objectives, and support stakeholder communication.
Characteristics of Milestones
- No Duration – Represent moments in time, not tasks with effort or length.
- Tied to Deliverables – Often linked to the completion of key outputs or approvals.
- Used for Tracking – Provide high-level indicators of project health and schedule alignment.
- Decision-Driven – May signal go/no-go decisions or the start of a new phase.
Examples of Common Milestones
- Project charter approved
- Completion of design phase
- Product prototype delivered
- Stakeholder sign-off received
- Go-live date reached
Use in Scheduling
Milestones are included in project schedules to:
- Mark dependencies between major activities
- Highlight contractual or regulatory deadlines
- Communicate key events to stakeholders
- Provide anchor points for progress assessments
Mermaid Diagram: Sample Milestones in a Project Timeline
flowchart LR A[Project Start] --> B{Milestone: Requirements Approved} B --> C[Design Phase] C --> D{Milestone: Design Complete} D --> E[Development] E --> F{Milestone: Go-Live}
Why Milestones Matter
- Aid Communication – Offer clear reference points for progress reporting.
- Enhance Visibility – Help stakeholders understand project status at a glance.
- Support Governance – Used as checkpoints in phase gates or steering committee reviews.
See also: Project Schedule, Deliverable, Milestone Schedule, Project Phase.