 <p>Try setting a property in each pom to find the main project directory. </p> <p>In the parent: </p> <pre><code>&lt;properties&gt; &lt;main.basedir&gt;${project.basedir}&lt;/main.basedir&gt; &lt;/properties&gt; </code></pre> <p>In the children: </p> <pre><code>&lt;properties&gt; &lt;main.basedir&gt;${project.parent.basedir}&lt;/main.basedir&gt; &lt;/properties&gt; </code></pre> <p>In the grandchildren: </p> <pre><code>&lt;properties&gt; &lt;main.basedir&gt;${project.parent.parent.basedir}&lt;/main.basedir&gt; &lt;/properties&gt; </code></pre>