Due to milestones being defined as a point in time (e.g. “Deliverable Ready”) , not an activity, I have always marked milestones as being 100% complete or left them at 0% complete. Some of my colleagues mark milestones as being 25% or 50% complete (yes, these are milestones with zero duration). We are trying to establish standards in our office and my understanding of generally accepted best practice is that milestones should always be either 0% complete or 100% complete. I can not find any literature or other generally accepted information on this issue. Can anyone shed any light on this? Thank you. Saving Changes...
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Hans RobbersSenior Director| SalesforceVlissingen, Netherlands
Hi
Most likely your colleagues use the milestone as summarize task for a project phase. The 25%/50% reflects in that case the progress during the phase. The only reason for doing so is when there is financial model behind it which pays based on progress.
I do agree with you mile stones are 0 or 100% complete. If there is a necessity for progress during the phase introduce sub phases or introduce more milestones.
Hopes this helps
Hans Saving Changes...
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
Hi Anon,
I agree with Hans. Most folks I know prefer and use the 0/100 percent complete approach for project milestones. And, you can find a number of Project Milestone Articles at PM Hut. As always, the trick is to agree on the approach (either way is actually fine) and adhere to it and to be open to suggestions, critique, and opportunities to improve upon it.
Great post and best of luck. ~ Mark Saving Changes...
