Final answer:
Project milestones should be established from the outset of project conception and are integral for the planning and design, procurement and construction, installation and testing, as well as operation and maintenance phases. They provide a structured timeline and checkpoints for successful project implementation and facilitate the engineering design process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Milestones of a project schedule should indeed be developed during project conception and are essential throughout the various phases of a project. During the planning and design phase, project milestones are crucial for establishing the framework of the project schedule.
This includes activities like developing a detailed design, prototyping, testing, refinement, and ultimately selection of the best design choices.
In the procurement and construction phase, setting milestones helps in managing the acquisition of materials and the sequencing of construction activities. During the installation and testing phase, milestones mark the progress of setting up and verifying the performance of systems.
Operation and maintenance rely on previously met milestones to ensure all systems are functioning as intended and properly maintained. In essence, project milestones serve as a guiding compass through the lifecycle of a project, from conception to completion, facilitating successful implementation and management of the engineering design process.