---
title: "Milestones"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 8
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:milestones"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/milestones
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Milestones

ICT Project Management · Chapter 8: Project Time Management

- Asked in: year not given
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/milestones
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-8

## Question

What do you mean by milestones?

## Short answer

A milestone is a zero-duration event marking a significant deliverable or phase completion, used for progress tracking and status communication. They are specific, measurable, and typically named with a noun and past participle, like 'Design approved'.

## Answer

A **milestone** is a significant point or event in a project, usually marking the completion of a major deliverable or phase, or an important decision. It has **zero duration** and consumes no resources. The schedule shows milestones to indicate progress.

#### Characteristics
- Zero duration; no work or cost.
- Specific, observable and measurable (done or not done).
- Linked to a deliverable, approval or decision.
- Named with a noun and past participle: "Design approved".
- Should be few and meaningful, not every task.

#### Uses
1. **Tracking progress**: easy check of whether the project is on schedule.
2. **Communication**: summarise status to senior management and customer.
3. **Control points**: phase-end reviews (stage gates) decide whether to continue.
4. **Dividing large projects** into manageable parts.
5. **Linking payments** to the contractor, e.g. 20% on prototype acceptance.
6. **Coordinating** with other projects and dependencies.
7. **Motivating** the team by giving short-term goals.

#### Milestone chart example
| Milestone | Planned date |
|---|---|
| Project charter signed | Week 0 |
| Requirements approved | Week 4 |
| Design complete | Week 8 |
| Prototype demonstrated | Week 14 |
| System testing complete | Week 20 |
| Go-live | Week 24 |

```text
Weeks:  0    4    8    14   20   24
        <>   <>   <>   <>   <>   <>
```
(Diamonds show milestones on a Gantt chart.)

#### Good practice
- Make milestones SMART and tie to acceptance criteria.
- Avoid too many or too few.
- Maintain a milestone list in the project plan.
- Track slipping milestones early.

**Example:** In a network installation project, "Cabling complete" and "Network tested" are milestones, while "pull cables" is an activity.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which describes a milestone?
   A. A task lasting a week
   B. A resource buffer
   C. An activity with the most cost
   D. A significant event with zero duration that consumes no resources
   Answer: D. A milestone is a zero-duration significant point, usually a deliverable, phase or decision. (Key point: Milestone characteristics)

2. Which is a properly named milestone?
   A. Designing
   B. Approve design work
   C. Design the system
   D. Design approved
   Answer: D. Milestones use noun and past participle, such as 'Design approved'. (Key point: Naming)

3. How can milestones be used for contractors?
   A. To increase task durations
   B. To replace the WBS
   C. To link payments, e.g. 20% on prototype acceptance
   D. To remove stage gates
   Answer: C. Payments can be tied to milestone acceptance. (Key point: Milestone use)