What best defines the goals associated with a "Milestone" in a project?

A milestone in a project context is typically defined as a significant point or event in the project's timeline that marks the completion of a major phase or a key deliverable. The essence of a milestone is to establish benchmarks that help in measuring progress towards the overall project goals. These benchmarks provide a way to assess how far the project has come and what remains to be done. By setting these critical points, project managers can effectively track progress, adjust timelines, and allocate resources accordingly.

In contrast, while deadlines for project completion, evaluative criteria for success, and financial targets might all be important aspects of project management, they do not encapsulate the primary purpose of a milestone, which is focused on measuring progress through clearly defined points in the project timeline. Therefore, the chosen answer correctly reflects the essential nature of milestones in project management.