What defines performance milestones within project management?

Performance milestones in project management are essential indicators that signify specific points in a project's progress within a timeline. These milestones serve as checkpoints where the project team can assess their advancement towards the overall project goals. By defining these key points, project managers can effectively track progress, ensure that the project remains on schedule, and facilitate communication among team members and stakeholders regarding the status of various project phases.

These milestones often relate to important deliverables or the completion of significant tasks and are critical for measuring the performance and success of a project. Identifying and tracking these milestones helps in managing deadlines, allocating resources more effectively, and adjusting plans as necessary to stay aligned with project objectives.

In contrast, while costs associated with project tasks, criteria for team evaluation, and documentation of project activities play vital roles in overall project management, they do not encapsulate what performance milestones specifically represent. Performance milestones are focused solely on signifying progress rather than financial assessments, team evaluations, or documentation processes.