CELEBRATE THE MILESTONES

Drink glasses rose, and melodious clinking went around the table as the team celebrated the achievement of a significant milestone. Fittingly, it was a bright sunny day, and we were filled with a unified sense of accomplishment. It was not easy getting there! After expending tireless days, nights, sweat, and stress for the $20 Million, we finally reached the highly anticipated milestone, first-of-akind evolution. We completed one giant step closer to renewed energy capacity for the province.

In business and projects, it is essential to define milestones at the onset of the venture. The milestones charter the path to an ultimate objective. The Project Management Institute defines a milestone as a specific point in time within a project’s lifecycle used to measure a project’s progress toward its ultimate goal. Oxford dictionary defines a milestone as an action or event, marking a significant change or stage in development.

As a project manager, I felt it important to celebrate the milestone and recognize the team members’ contributions. In this reflection and celebration of milestones, progress is measured, lessons are learned, growth is realized, relationships are fostered, team engagement is harnessed, and loyalty is strengthened. It wasn’t just a fun thing to do; it was strategic in sustaining engagement and driving momentum towards the ultimate goal.

I apply milestone celebrations to my real estate ventures as well. On move-in day, I welcomed my latest tenant with a bottle of champagne and a congratulations card waiting on the kitchen counter. That day, she reached out to thank me, and I believe this contributed to a troublefree lease term and recent lease renewal. Furthermore, I do not hesitate to partake in the celebrations of colleagues and potential clients’ successes. When others achieve milestones, I relay my congratulations. I always do it genuinely, and in some cases, it is also strategic. I once congratulated a management colleague who was on the verge of retirement. Unexpectedly, he then recommended me for

the position he was vacating to his line management. That is one example where you never know what opportunities may be availed by demonstrating your capabilities and then simply expressing interest and excitement for milestone achievements.

I have also experienced not celebrating milestones, even when it is mandated in a team contract. I recall the end of a capstone group project during my MBA student days. The restaurant industry research and corporate expansion strategy paper took longer than planned. It was challenging, and in the end, we produced a solid plan for the client. When we finally finished, the team immediately disbanded. I mostly took away from the experience the challenges we faced in completing the project, which overshadowed all positives, including the learning and relationships developed. It was unfortunate, and I am convinced that a final team milestone celebration would have enriched the lasting impression.

For the recent project milestone, I believe we ended it off right. We defined the milestone, progressed towards completion and celebrated the win together! We are, therefore, well-positioned to take on the next challenge and succeed. Until then, Cheers!

In business and projects, it is essential to define milestones at the onset of the venture. The milestones charter the path to

an ultimate objective.