Deliverable

What is a Deliverable?

A deliverable is a tangible or intangible output that a project task or activity produces. It represents a completed work product that meets specific requirements, and the project team intends to deliver it to a client, stakeholder, or internal team. Deliverables can vary in form, ranging from documents and software to reports, training sessions, and hardware components. Project objectives serve as a central point for the project, and project managers often use them as a measure of progress or success. A project’s scope or statement of work typically outlines clear definitions and expectations for these outputs.

Key Points

• It can be physical, digital, or conceptual, depending on the nature of the project.
• It must meet predefined acceptance criteria agreed upon by stakeholders.
• It can be either internal (used within the team) or external (provided to a client or end-user).
• They often align with specific project phases or milestones.
• Approval or sign-off is usually required before a deliverable is considered complete.

Related Terms

• A work breakdown structure helps identify all the individual deliverables required to complete a project.
• A milestone often marks the completion of a significant deliverable or group of deliverables.
• Scope creep can occur if someone adds additional deliverables without proper review or authorization.
• A project schedule outlines when a team expects to complete and submit each deliverable.
• Acceptance criteria are the standards or conditions that each deliverable must meet to be approved.
• The project charter may contain general descriptions of key project outputs.
• A quality assurance process ensures that each deliverable meets the necessary standards.
• Stakeholder management involves sharing the status and quality of outputs throughout the project’s duration.

Deliverable: Example

In a website development project, a common deliverable is a functioning homepage designed according to the client’s requirements. This includes layout, branding elements, and navigation features. The homepage must meet performance standards, function properly on various devices, and pass user testing before the team presents it for final approval.

Deliverable: Best Practices

• Clarify all project outputs at the outset to avoid confusion later.
• Link each deliverable to specific project objectives and timelines to ensure alignment.
• Involve stakeholders early to agree on acceptance criteria.
• Regularly review project outputs to ensure they meet quality and scope requirements.
• Document each completed deliverable for accountability and future reference.

Additional Resources

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