Deliverables
Deliverables: Definition, Types, and Advantages
Deliverables refer to the products that a team must develop to complete a project. Basically, these can be internal or external, tangible or intangible. Some of them are final products that users can utilize, while others serve as artifacts that help the team progress, such as reports, quality tests, user manuals, and code.
The project manager typically takes responsibility for managing, tracking, and also controlling them. Hence, ensuring the successful completion of all deliverables is crucial for project success. Consequently, to achieve this, the project manager must clearly define the project’s deliverables. In effect, a well-defined set ensures that the project stays on the right track. However, it is important to note that they are not the project’s objectives but rather steps needed to complete and finalize the project.
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Types of Deliverables
Deliverables can be categorized in various ways:
- Tangible – These are physical or digital items that produce something visible or interactive. Examples include prototypes, progress reports, user manuals, software, applications, and new features.
- Intangible – These are verifiable but lack physical or digital form. Examples include training programs and key project decisions.
Additionally, deliverables can be classified as internal or external:
- Internal – Produced within the project and delivered to relevant stakeholders before final approval. Examples include progress reports, risk registers, prototypes, and requirement documents.
- External – Created by the project team but shared with external stakeholders, such as researchers or product users. Examples include the final product, a new feature, or a bug fix.
Deliverables can also be classified as unique or composed of multiple components:
- Unique – These stand alone and do not depend on other deliverables.
- Multiple – Some deliverables require the completion of several components. For instance, building a house requires an architectural plan and a scale model. This also means that some deliverables are independent, while others depend on preceding steps.
Advantages of Managing Deliverables
Defining and tracking them provides several benefits for project success:
- More Efficient Scheduling – Clearly defining and documenting them allows for more accurate timelines. Proper tracking ensures adherence to deadlines, prevents scope creep, minimizes delays, and enables proactive risk management, leading to project success.
- Better Team Alignment with Objectives – When they are well-defined, the team understands what needs to be done and when, increasing the likelihood of success. Additionally, a clear roadmap helps the team stay focused.
- Improved Resource Management – Well-defined deliverables make it easier to allocate resources efficiently, reducing unnecessary costs.
- Enhanced Stakeholder Expectation Management – Managing them helps align project outputs with stakeholder expectations. Keeping stakeholders informed minimizes misunderstandings and miscommunication while fostering strong relationships.
Deliverables play a critical role in project management. Clearly defining, tracking, and managing them ensures that projects remain on schedule, meet objectives, and deliver value to stakeholders.