What are milestones in the context of a WBS?

Milestones in the context of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) serve as critical checkpoints that mark significant events or phases in a project's timeline. They are used to measure progress and ensure that a project is moving forward according to schedule. By establishing these points, project managers can assess whether the project is on track, identify potential delays, and make necessary adjustments. Milestones help in communication with stakeholders, providing clear indicators of when key outcomes or deliverables are expected to be completed.

The other options do not accurately represent the role of milestones. Non-essential tasks do not denote significant points in time and would not specifically aid in evaluating progress. Specific financial goals, while important to project management, do not encapsulate the concept of milestones which relate to timeline checkpoints rather than monetary objectives. Randomly assigned tasks are not structured or purposeful and lack the significance associated with milestones, which are critical for effective project management and accountability.