What is a project deliverable? Examples and 5 best practices!
A deliverable is the result expected at the end of a project.
But that's not all! A single project can be made up of several objectives, marked by milestones, each with a specific purpose, deadline and deliverable.
Here are the basics of project deliverables ⤵️
What is a deliverable in project management?
A project deliverable is the result of production, following an order from a customer or a request from internal management.
A major project is broken down into several deliverables, or stages.
These include not only the final product or service, but also all the intermediate stages in the project, such as :
- the project specifications
- documentation
- budgets, etc.
This is why a deliverable is often associated with, or even assimilated to, a project milestone, marking the end of a stage and a series of tasks, of which the deliverable is the accomplishment.
Examples of project deliverables
Deliverables linked to the project itself
For the project team, these are subject to validation by the customer:
- Pre-project phase: feasibility study, needs analysis,
- Scoping phase: specifications, provisional budget, macro-planning,
- Operational phase: project planning, mock-up;
Deliverables linked to project results
For customers, these are
- a prototype to be tested,
- a product,
- instructions for use,
- an application, etc.
Example of deliverables for a web project
If the aim of the project is to develop software, each function will be an IT project deliverable, and the delivery of the complete software, the final product deliverable.
5 best practices for deliverables
- When should project deliverables be defined? The list of deliverables must be drawn up as soon as the project is scoped. It must be exhaustive and included in the specifications to serve as a reference for the project team and the client.
- Validation of each deliverable: from the start of the project, check that your list of deliverables is complete, in order to have an overall view of the project and to facilitate its planning and budgeting.
- With each delivery: check that the result of production corresponds to the customer's requirements and take account of any feedback.
For major deliverables, draw up an acceptance report to protect yourself. - Archive all deliverables: keep a copy of each version of the deliverable presented to the customer, even those that have been rejected.
On the one hand, he may change his mind, and on the other, you could be asked to work on a similar project at a later date. It's guaranteed to save time! - Follow-up on deliverables: Write up reports or note customer feedback, delivery dates, etc. in your task manager.
As the deliverable marks the end of one task and the start of another, you know where you stand and so does the customer.
✅ The deliverable represents the validation of a stage or an entire project.
Understanding the customer's needs and expectations, and taking into account the resources required to produce the various deliverables, are your guarantee of success, on time and on budget.
The importance of project deliverables for success
Project deliverables are essential for structuring, monitoring and ensuring the success of a project. They enable the objectives achieved at each stage to be materialised and the expectations of stakeholders to be validated.
Good management of deliverables ensures transparency, customer satisfaction and the overall effectiveness of the project. Adopting a rigorous approach to their definition, validation and monitoring guarantees not only the quality of the deliverables, but also the success of the project as a whole. 👏
Article translated from French