Milestone trend analysis

Created by Ann Sofie Grube Kjeldsen, February 2022

One of the most essential elements of successful projects and project management is to have clear project goals [1]. A critical path in reaching project goals is by defining project milestones. Milestones are a specific period in the project that showcases what has been accomplished and allows the project manager to see a project's progress. Milestones portray a key decision or point in the project’s lifecycle when the project team is supposed to deliver deliveries before the final execution [2].

They are a point of reference marking major events specific date, time, or task chosen to portray a turning point within the project. Milestones monitor the project progress and help the project manager to group different tasks, thereby identifying a project critical path. It is a useful way to easily share the health and progress of the project with stakeholders and the project team [3]. To monitor and compare the progress of each milestone with the planned milestone schedule a simple method, Milestone Trend Analysis (MTA), can be used. With MTA project managers can recognize deviations and trends from the planned schedule. The graphical Milestone Trend Analysis chart is used to graphically compare the scheduled date of the milestones and the various point in time [4].

Big Idea

Theory and purpose behind MTA

Understanding Milestone Trend Analysis technique

Limitations

Concept and application

MTA benefits