Creative Milestones

Keep dated creative checkpoints attached to the client project and an owner. The project manager records a named checkpoint, due date and owner on the project. Pending identifies a commitment still open; Met records a completed checkpoint; Missed highlights one that needs follow-up. The delivery lead can read these against project dates and work package plans.

• Name the checkpoint. Give each creative deliverable a project, owner and due date.
• Record the outcome. Leave upcoming work Pending; use Met or Missed after checking what happened.
• Follow overdue work. Compare due dates with the project schedule and contact the named owner.

A studio owes a client a first visual direction on Friday. The project manager gives the checkpoint to a designer and sets Friday as the due date. If the work is ready, the owner marks it Met. If the due date passes, the checkpoint appears in the delivery exception queue; the project manager records Met or Missed after checking the outcome.

Agree whether a milestone means studio completion or client acceptance, and who records that decision. Name the owner before dates are shared with the client. Check how a changed client deadline is captured in notes and reflected in the project schedule. Decide whether Met means studio completion or client acceptance. Name who changes the checkpoint status and how a revised client date is recorded in notes. Check that each milestone has an owner before its date is shared with the client.

Open a pending checkpoint from a real engagement and confirm the project, owner and due date. Let it pass its due date in a rehearsal, then confirm it appears in the at-risk list and the exception queue. Record the outcome and confirm the project manager can trace the change back to the same client project. Open a Pending visual direction checkpoint after its due date. Confirm that the at-risk list and delivery exception queue point to its project and owner. The project manager should check the actual deliverable before marking Met or Missed and discuss a changed deadline with the delivery lead.

• Creative Milestones At Risk — Lists Pending and Missed checkpoints with their due dates and owners.
• Delivery Exception Queue — Brings overdue checkpoints into the delivery follow-up queue.

Use studio delivery to check the checkpoint beside assigned work. Return to project setup when a changed date affects the engagement plan.