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Milestones

Milestones break projects into manageable phases with associated payments. This guide explains how milestones work and how they relate to getting paid.

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What Are Milestones?

Milestones are checkpoints in your project that:
  • Define major phases of work
  • Have associated deliverables
  • Trigger payment releases when completed
  • Help track project progress

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Milestone Structure

A typical project might have milestones like: 
Project: Web Application Penetration Test
├── Milestone 1: Planning & Scoping (10%)
│   ├── Due: Week 1
│   └── Deliverable: Scope Document
├── Milestone 2: Assessment (40%)
│   ├── Due: Week 3
│   └── Deliverables: Raw Findings, Screenshots
├── Milestone 3: Reporting (35%)
│   ├── Due: Week 4
│   └── Deliverables: Draft Report, Executive Summary
└── Milestone 4: Final Delivery (15%)
    ├── Due: Week 5
    └── Deliverables: Final Report, Remediation Support

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Viewing Milestones

Access milestones from your project:
  1. Navigate to your project
  2. Click the “Milestones” tab
  3. See all milestones with status and payment amounts

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Milestone Details

Each milestone shows:
  • Name: What the milestone represents
  • Due Date: Target completion date
  • Amount: Payment for this milestone
  • Status: Current state
  • Linked Deliverables: What needs to be completed

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Milestone Status

StatusMeaning
UpcomingNot yet started
In ProgressWork has begun
SubmittedAwaiting client approval
ApprovedClient has approved
Payment PendingApproved, payment being processed
Completed✅ Payment released

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Completing Milestones

1

Complete Deliverables

Finish all deliverables linked to the milestone
2

Submit Deliverables

Submit each deliverable for client review
3

Get Approvals

Client reviews and approves each deliverable
4

Milestone Completion

When all deliverables are approved, milestone moves to approved
5

Payment Release

Client releases payment from escrow

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Payment Flow

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Payment Timing

After milestone approval:
  1. Same day: Client releases payment
  2. 1-2 days: FlexDuty processes transfer
  3. 2-7 days: Funds appear in your bank (varies by country)

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Milestone Types

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Percentage-Based

Payment is a percentage of the total project:
  • Milestone 1: 25% = $2,500
  • Milestone 2: 50% = $5,000
  • Milestone 3: 25% = $2,500
  • Total: $10,000

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Fixed Amount

Each milestone has a specific amount:
  • Planning: $1,000
  • Assessment: $3,000
  • Reporting: $2,000

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Hourly Projects

For hourly projects, milestones may be:
  • Weekly billing cycles
  • Monthly invoices
  • Phase-based checkpoints

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Best Practices

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Setting Expectations

  • Review milestone schedule at project kickoff
  • Confirm deadlines are realistic
  • Understand dependencies between milestones

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Tracking Progress

Update deliverable status regularly
Communicate blockers early
Submit work before due dates when possible
Keep client informed of progress

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Handling Delays

If you’ll miss a milestone deadline:
  1. Notify early: Don’t wait until the deadline
  2. Explain why: Be honest about the cause
  3. Propose solution: New timeline or scope adjustment
  4. Document: Record the change in project chat
Proactive communication about delays is always better than silence. Clients appreciate honesty.

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Milestone Disputes

If there’s a disagreement about milestone completion:

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Common Issues

IssueResolution
Client won’t approve completed workRequest specific feedback; escalate to platform ops
Scope creep beyond original milestoneDocument the additional work; negotiate timeline/payment
Quality disagreementReview original requirements; platform ops can mediate
Payment not released after approvalContact platform ops immediately

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Escalation Path

  1. Discuss in project chat
  2. Contact platform ops via support
  3. Platform ops reviews and mediates
  4. Formal dispute process if unresolved

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Milestone Modifications

Sometimes milestones need to change:

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Who Can Modify

  • Platform ops can adjust milestones
  • Requires agreement from both parties
  • Changes are documented in project history

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When Modifications Happen

  • Scope changes (work added or removed)
  • Timeline adjustments
  • Budget changes
  • Project restructuring
Always get milestone changes confirmed in writing (project chat or email) before proceeding.

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FAQ

Generally no - milestones are paid upon completion. For long milestones, discuss splitting into smaller ones with platform ops.
Platform ops will intervene if a client is unresponsive for more than 72 hours after submission.
Only through formal scope change process with platform ops involvement.
Completed milestones are paid. In-progress work may be prorated depending on circumstances.

Deliverables

Managing project deliverables

Escrow

How payment escrow works

Disputes

Resolving payment disputes