Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Or do you prefer to embed them across the schedule? Discuss pros and cons of both approaches. Saving Changes...
Sort By:
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
It's purely a matter of stylistic choice, in my opinion. I use Microsoft Project, and I embed milestones across my schedule. I can then filter the view to display only the milestones; this has the same effect as grouping milestones together at the end of the schedule. If I used a spreadsheet to track my schedule I'd still embed the milestones within the schedule, but I'd also group them together on another worksheet for easy reference. Saving Changes...
Milestones are supposed to be the culmination of multiple activities resulting in a significant accomplishment. As such, I prefer to have them at regular intervals over the life of my project to help keep team members motivated, drive client payments and so on. From an organization perspective, I prefer to keep them with the tasks that lead up to them so they would be embedded across the schedule.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Eduard,
When I put together a schedule, I'll place the milestone at the end of the related tasks. This way the schedule tells a story of progression through the cycle. Additionally, if need be I can sort by milestones, and of course, highlight them on my timeline. Saving Changes...
Deepa KalangiManager, Program Management, Author, Trainer| CVS HealthCharlotte, NC, United States
Mine is similar too, spread milestones across the plan as pertinent. But I have seen some PM's do them in the beginning, especially on a large project plan that is complex, they need them in the beginning to see every single morning. I have used those plans while executing as well. Saving Changes...
Deepesh RammoorthyICT Project Manager ( PMP®AgilePM®Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®))| Australian Red Cross Blood ServiceTarneit, Vic, Australia
Just like others have indicated, I find it easy to build a project schedule using MS Project and then specify key tasks as milestones as I go along. Helps with Management reporting and keep track of project timelines.
One advantage I have seen is , it helps me quickly understand resource dependencies and constraints and provides some direction on whether I should crash or fast track some activities to achieve or bring forward a particular milestone date. Having the milestone dates embedded as I go along also helps me do Rolling Wave Planning more effectively than if I had the milestone dates at the end. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
I've done both, Eduard. It usually depends on my reporting needs. I really don't think of pros and cons with either approach. Saving Changes...
Community Champion
