In project management, what is a milestone?

A milestone in project management is best defined as a point in the project timeline that marks significant progress. Milestones serve as crucial markers that indicate the completion of a certain phase or deliverable within the project. They are not just check-in points but are essential for tracking the advancement of the project and evaluating whether it is moving forward as planned.

By establishing milestones, project managers can create a structured timeline with specific points for review and assessment, making it easier to coordinate resources, limits, and deadlines. They help in communicating progress to stakeholders and ensuring that the project stays on track. Although milestones may contribute to the overall success of the project, they are distinct from metrics that measure success or an overview of the budget. They are not necessarily the end of a project but rather critical markers along the way that indicate when important work has been completed.