What does a project milestone represent?

A project milestone represents a significant point or event in the project timeline that marks the completion of a key deliverable or phase. Milestones are critical in project management as they help to track progress and provide a clear indication of whether the project is on time with its schedule. They often signify important achievements that are essential for the overall success of the project, such as the completion of a major task or the transition from one phase to another.

For instance, reaching a milestone could mean that a specific design phase is completed, or that a particular prototype has been delivered, which paves the way for subsequent phases of the project. By focusing on milestones, project managers can maintain oversight of the project's trajectory and can make necessary adjustments to keep it on track, ensuring that team members are aligned and reducing the risk of delays.