What are project deliverables? 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, either in response to an order from a customer, or an internal request from management.
A major project breaks down into several deliverables, or stages.
These include not only the final product or service, but also all the intermediary achievements along the way, such as :
- 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 customer approval:
- 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 for testing,
- 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 functionality will be an IT project deliverable, and the delivery of the complete software, the final product deliverable.
5 best practices for deliverables
- When to define project deliverables? The list of deliverables must be drawn up as soon as the project is scoped. It should 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 outset of the project, check that your list of deliverables is complete, in order to have an overall view of the project and facilitate its planning and budgeting.
- With each delivery: check that the production result 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 every 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 may have to work on a similar project at a later date. Time-saving! - Track deliverables: Keep track of customer feedback, delivery dates, etc. in your task manager.
As a 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 achieve 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 you to materialize the objectives achieved at each stage, and to validate the expectations of your stakeholders.
Good management of deliverables ensures transparency, customer satisfaction and overall project efficiency. Adopting a rigorous approach to defining, validating and tracking them guarantees not only the quality of the deliverables, but also the success of the project as a whole. 👏
Article translated from French