Taking OP's "spark" comment at face value, if the reality is quality development isn't a steady curve but rather a nearly flat one followed by bursts of sharp p

Taking OP's "spark" comment at face value, if the reality is quality development isn't a steady curve but rather a nearly flat one followed by bursts of sharp peaks, then it does provide some rubric for how to manage the situation. Which is, manage it lightly, look only at very big milestones. Measuring and optimizing day to day incremental improvements might actually be counter productive.