← VCE Software Development U3O2

Milestones and deadlines

A marked checkpoint in a project plan, such as a finished prototype, showing a major piece of work is complete by its deadline. Used to check progress.

Part of: VCE Software Development - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 18, VCE Software Development - U4O1 - development and evaluation — Module 184, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 14, VCE Data Analytics - U4O1 - Development and Evaluation — Module 97, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Project management — Module 3

Understanding Milestones and deadlines in VCE Software Development U3O2

What it does: Each milestone date is set earlier than the final deadline, leaving enough time for the work that follows. Checking progress means comparing the actual status with the milestone date, so the team can see they are behind and take action. A milestone marks the finish of a major piece of work, like a finished prototype, so you can check progress. Milestone dates are spread through the project, based on how long the tasks leading up to each one will take. Milestones give regular checkpoints, so problems are found early instead of at the very end. A clear milestone says what is complete and by when, so the team can tell if it was reached.

Common mistakes: A milestone is late when today is after its deadline, so the check should be today > deadline. With < the program reports 'late' while there is still time left. The prototype milestone marks the end of the Build task, so it should sit on day 10. Day 5 would show the prototype as finished halfway through building it.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 12–24) and word search (Modules 2–24).

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Learning
Duo
Which best describes a milestone in a project plan?
A single small task that takes a few minutesA checkpoint showing a major piece of work is complete
Matches
Milestone: Design the logo (3 days)
↓
A milestone is a checkpoint showing finished work, not a task with a duration. It should say what is complete, for example 'Logo approved - 12 Aug'.
Applying
Meanings
Term
milestone
Meaning
A marked checkpoint in a project plan, such as a finished prototype, showing a major piece of work is complete by its deadline. Used to check progress.
Practice
Milestone 1: Design approved, due 3 Mar
Testing
Gaps
"Prototype finished" DUE 14/06
Check Answer
Spots
3today = 15
4IF today < deadline THEN

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Quick Questions

1. Which best describes a milestone in a project plan?
A. A checkpoint showing a major piece of work is complete ✓
B. A single small task that takes a few minutes
A milestone marks the finish of a major piece of work, like a finished prototype, so you can check progress.
2. Which is the best example of a milestone for a school app project?
A. Work on the app when you feel like it
B. Prototype finished and ready for testing by 14 June ✓
A good milestone is a clear result with a deadline. 'When you feel like it' has no result or date.
3. How is a milestone usually shown on a Gantt chart?
A. As a long bar that stretches across many weeks
B. As a marker, such as a diamond, on a single date ✓
Tasks are shown as bars that last for a period of time. A milestone is a marker on one date because it is a checkpoint, not a task.
4. When setting milestone dates, what should you do?
A. Work out how long the tasks before it will take, then set a realistic date ✓
B. Pick the final due date for every milestone
Milestone dates are spread through the project, based on how long the tasks leading up to each one will take.
5. Your team's 'Design complete' milestone is due Friday, but the designs are only half done on Thursday. What does this tell you?
A. The project may be behind schedule and the plan needs checking ✓
B. The project is on track, so nothing needs to change
Comparing your progress with the milestone shows early that you are behind. Then you can add help, cut scope or move the date.

Match the Pairs

Milestone: Prototype finished - 14 Aug → A checkpoint with a set date showing a major piece of work is complete
Milestone ◆ on Gantt chart → A diamond marker placed on the timeline where a major piece of work should be finished
Setting a milestone date: work backwards from the final deadline so each checkpoint is realistic → Final deadline: 30 Oct Testing done: 16 Oct Prototype done: 2 Oct
Checking progress against milestones: compare today's status with the planned milestone date → Milestone: Prototype - due 2 Oct Today: 5 Oct Status: Behind by 3 days
Milestone: Design the logo (3 days) → A milestone is a checkpoint showing finished work, not a task with a duration. It should say what is complete, for example 'Logo approved - 12 Aug'.
Milestone: Prototype finished - (no date) → The milestone has no deadline, so the team cannot check whether they are on track. Add a date, such as 'Prototype finished - 14 Aug'.

Key Term

milestone
A marked checkpoint in a project plan, such as a finished prototype, showing a major piece of work is complete by its deadline. Used to check progress.

Fill in the Blanks

1. MILESTONE "Prototype finished" DUE 14/06
Hint: Type the keyword that marks a checkpoint in the project plan.
2. MILESTONE "Prototype finished" DUE 14/06
Hint: Type the keyword that sets the deadline date for the milestone.
3. MILESTONE "Prototype done" DURATION 0
Hint: Type the number of days a milestone takes on a Gantt chart, because it is a checkpoint and not a task.
4. IF done = FALSE AND today > dueDate THEN
Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks whether today is after the due date.
5. IF prototypeDone = TRUE THEN
Hint: Type the Boolean value that shows the work for this milestone is complete.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A milestone = "Prototype done"
B deadline = 12
C today = 15
D IF today < deadline THEN
E PRINT "Milestone late"
F ENDIF
Line D — A milestone is late when today is after its deadline, so the check should be today > deadline. With < the program reports 'late' while there is still time left.
Question 2
A task "Build" start=1 end=10
B milestone "Prototype" day=5
C task "Test" start=11 end=15
Line B — The prototype milestone marks the end of the Build task, so it should sit on day 10. Day 5 would show the prototype as finished halfway through building it.
Question 3
A deadline = 30
B test_done = deadline + 5
C build_done = test_done - 10
D PRINT build_done
Line B — When setting milestone dates, you work backwards from the final deadline. Testing must finish before it, so the line should be deadline - 5, not + 5.
Question 4
A milestone "Design done" due 40
B milestone "Build done" due 20
C milestone "Launch" due 30
Line A — Milestone dates should be in order. Design is finished before the build, so its due date must be earlier than day 20 (for example 8), not day 40.
Question 5
A due = 12
B today = 10
C proto_done = TRUE
D IF proto_done = FALSE THEN
E PRINT "Milestone met"
F ENDIF
Line D — The program should say the milestone is met only when the prototype is finished. The test must be proto_done = TRUE, not FALSE.

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