From a development perspective, each iteration provides an increment of functionality to the product. Thus, the end of each iteration corresponds to a checkpoint where the project team demonstrates to stakeholders that the objectives for that iteration have been met.

From a management perspective, the software lifecycle is decomposed over time into four sequential phases, each concluded by a major milestone [BOE95]. There are four major milestones that provide evaluation criteria at the end of each phase.

The phases and milestones of a project

Each phase is a span of time between two major milestones and has specific focus and objectives. At each phase-end an assessment is performed to determine whether the objectives of the phase have been met. A satisfactory assessment allows the project to move to the next phase. When a milestone is not met, more iterations in the current phase may be performed before the milestone can be considered complete. Achieving a milestone represents an objective criteria with which to measure progress.

At the end of the Inception Phase is the first major project milestone or Lifecycle Objectives Milestone. At this point, you examine the cost versus benefits of the project, and decide either to proceed with the project or to cancel it.

At the end of the Elaboration Phase is the second important project milestone, the Lifecycle Architecture Milestone. At this point, a baseline of requirements is agreed to, you examine the detailed system objectives and scope, the choice of architecture, and the resolution of the major risks. The milestone is achieved when the architecture has been validated.

At the end of the Construction Phase is the third important project milestone, the Initial Operational Capability Milestone. At this point, the product is ready to be handed over to the transition team. All functionality has been developed and all alpha testing (if any) has been completed. In addition to the software, a user manual has been developed, and there is a description of the current release. The product is ready for beta testing.

At the end of the Transition Phase is the fourth important project milestone, the Product Release Milestone. At this point, you decide if the objectives were met, and if you should start another development cycle. The Product Release Milestone is the result of the customer reviewing and accepting the project deliverables.