Define progress before the work starts

A milestone should help a team decide what to do next. That might mean confirming a community need, preparing facilitators, testing a usable prototype, or aligning partners on responsibilities.

Use measures that fit the stage

Early work may need learning measures before outcome measures. Completion, clarity, confidence, facilitator effort, repeat participation, and reported usefulness can reveal whether an idea is ready for a larger test.

  • Name the decision each measure will support.
  • Collect only information the team can use responsibly.
  • Pair numbers with participant and facilitator observations.
  • Document limits so early findings are not overstated.

Keep the next step visible

At the end of each phase, share what was learned, what remains uncertain, and who owns the next action. Clear handoffs turn a milestone into momentum.