Plan delivery around useful milestones
Course overview · 4 min reading + 12 min practice, estimated
Principles and method
Break the search into discovery, market research, engagement, assessment and decision milestones. Define what each milestone produces and who accepts it. Work backwards from real dependencies such as interview availability and notice periods. Use ranges where uncertainty is high and expose assumptions. A plan should include candidate communication and review time, not only sourcing activity. Keep work in progress manageable so every active search receives adequate attention. If capacity is insufficient, change commitments before service quality deteriorates.
Worked example
A recruiter limits simultaneous intensive mapping phases because each requires substantial analysis. The plan staggers reviews and agrees client feedback slots rather than promising identical fast delivery to every account.
Put it into practice
Build a four-week fictional search plan with outputs, owners and dependencies.
Use fictional information and keep your work in your own notes.
Compare your approach: self-review guidance
Include a review point for market evidence and a capacity check. A milestone should represent a usable result, not simply a large number of messages sent.
Sources and further reading
Original Academy teaching and fictional examples. These references provide context, not endorsement. Edition 2026.09; updated 2026-09-24.
- CIPD: Recruitment
Professional context for the recruitment lifecycle.
- GOV.UK: Set up a business
UK starting point. Business structure and obligations depend on the circumstances.