A project deliverable is an output of the work done while working on a project. Project deliverables are given out at regular intervals to the client and it enables the client and the team involved to track the progress of the project.
Introduction:
In project management, deliverables are the tangible or intangible outputs and results that are produced during the execution of a project. These deliverables represent the final outcomes of the project and are essential for measuring its success. This comprehensive guide will delve into various aspects of project deliverables, including their post-creation phase, differences from project milestones, examples, comparison with product deliverables, and frequently asked questions.
To render time-bound deliverables, the biggest prerequisite is to set achievable goals concerning the time frame available. Keeping the Deliverables in a Scope of Work in a project, there should be appropriate coordination between the key stakeholders and the respective project deliverables. Also, the output of deliverables is affected by several internal and external factors. The deliverables therefore cannot be managed without a bona fide project plan.
What Happens to a Deliverable After It is Created?
After a deliverable is created, it undergoes several processes, including verification, validation, and approval. Project managers and stakeholders review the deliverable to ensure that it meets the required quality standards and fulfills the specified requirements. Once approved, the deliverable is then integrated into the project’s overall objectives and may be handed over to the client or stakeholders. The deliverable’s lifecycle might also include maintenance, updates, or enhancements, depending on the project’s scope and requirements.
Deciding the Project Deliverables
A project deliverable can be either tangible or intangible. Further, the deliverables are more often decided well ahead, right at the initial stages of a project. The number of deliverables depends on the type of project in question. A project is often dealt with in several phases and not taken in a single go. Every such phase will be further divided into several modules from start to finish. Project deliverables do not mean the final end product of the project itself, but it refers to several small, daily, or weekly results that are arrived during the course of the project. It is advisable to ascertain the deliverables at the beginning of the project as it enables the adequate allocation of resources and also sets the right level of expectation for the clientele.
Deliverables of Project Types
Project deliverables can be classified into the following genres
-
Internal Deliverables
These deliverables are those that are shared within the team, unlike the others that are to be produced to the client. Most often the deliverables are circulated within the team or to another team that works in the same organisation. The client is not concerned with the internal deliverables. However, these deliverables, aid to boost the productivity of the team and are carried out on a regular basis. Activities such as keeping track of time-sheets, sharing initial project reports, filing taxes, etc are a few examples of internal deliverables.
-
External Deliverables
These are the most important category of deliverables that are furnished to the external stakeholders based on the deadlines accepted by both the vendor and the client. If the deliverable is for someone who is outside the organisation, then it would fall under the category of external deliverables. Final designs, final products, intermediate progress reports, etc are external deliverables.
-
Planning Project Deliverables
Various reports like summaries of project documentation reports mentioning the SOW and deliverables, the budget allocated to carry out the project etc, come under the category of project planning deliverables. These deliverables play a vital role in optimising the efficiency of the team. It also ensures that the deliverables are error-free and reach the client at the stipulated time. However, not all deliverables are tangible. Certain deliverables can be intangible, yet can play a vital role in grooming the team. A training program or a knowledge transfer program shared within the team is an apt example of a project planning deliverable.
-
Identifying the Crucial Project Deliverables
The success of a project depends on rendering the deliverables to the client at the expected time. It is also contingent upon identifying and prioritising the key deliverables. The deliverables have to be aligned with the objectives and milestones of the project. Firstly, the final goal or the end-product of the project is ascertained and thereafter the intermediate deliverables are decided by working on a bottom-up approach.
Further, the project manager is expected to define the milestones as it would help the team to keep track of the progress of the project. By doing this, a complex project can be broken into small digestible modules and thus can be worked out systematically. The key deliverables can be figured out by employing the following techniques:
Get Into the Bigger Picture
It is crucial to gather all the available information about the project and thereafter the team has to reflect on the purpose of the project. One has to get into the client’s shoes and visualise what the client is hoping to achieve out of the project. Once these questions are answered, in a matter of time, the cost and time duration required to complete the project can be deduced.
Find the Requirements
Unless the requirement of the client is crystal clear, a deliverable cannot be built up satisfactorily. The requirements of the client give a fair idea of how the deliverable should be designed. If there are any gaps with respect to gathering the requirements, there would be unnecessary change requests on and off with respect to the deliverables, which would take a toll on the time and resources. Most often, one of the initial steps in kick-starting a project is to get a requirement document from the client clearly stating their expectations.
Getting Hold of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
The project manager has to divide the immeasurably tedious project into small chunks, thereby making it possible to have a check on the deliverables periodically. This makes the project more manageable and also streamlines the process of submitting the deliverables. Thereafter, the metrics, deadlines, and goals are to be decided for each module of the project. The metrics play a pivotal role in managing the project.
Project Deliverables vs. Project Milestones:
Project deliverables and milestones are both crucial elements of project planning and monitoring, but they serve different purposes:
- Project Deliverables: Deliverables represent the tangible or intangible outputs produced during the project’s execution. They are the specific results that the project aims to achieve, and their completion indicates progress towards achieving the project’s objectives.
- Project Milestones: Milestones are significant events or stages in a project that mark specific points of progress or completion of essential tasks. They are used as checkpoints to evaluate the project’s progress and ensure that it stays on track.
Project Deliverables Examples:
Examples of project deliverables vary based on the nature of the project, but some common examples include:
- Software Applications: The final software product developed and tested according to project specifications.
- Reports and Documentation: Comprehensive reports, manuals, and documentation outlining the project’s process and results.
- Prototypes: A functioning model or prototype of a product or system designed during the project.
- Marketing Campaigns: The completed marketing materials and campaigns produced as part of the project.
- Infrastructure Projects: The constructed building, road, or infrastructure that was the focus of the project.
Project vs. Product Deliverables:
- Project Deliverables: Project deliverables are the outcomes produced during the execution of the project. They are temporary and unique to each project. Once the project is completed, the deliverables are handed over to the client or stakeholders.
- Product Deliverables: Product deliverables, on the other hand, refer to the final results that are generated during the production or development of a product. They are often part of ongoing operations and not specific to a particular project.
Conclusion
Project deliverables play a crucial role in project management, representing the tangible outcomes that result from project activities. These deliverables undergo a thorough process of verification and validation before being integrated into the project’s overall objectives. They are distinct from project milestones, which serve as checkpoints for project progress. Examples of project deliverables can vary widely, depending on the nature of the project. It is essential to recognize the differences between project and product deliverables, as they serve different purposes in project execution and product development. Understanding project deliverables and their significance contributes to the successful planning, execution, and completion of projects.
FAQ
What is project deliverables examples?
Project deliverable examples include completed software applications, reports and documentation, prototypes, marketing campaigns, and infrastructure projects.
What are the 5 key deliverables?
The key deliverables in a project depend on its scope and objectives, but common ones include project plans, progress reports, completed products or systems, project documentation, and stakeholder approvals.
What are important project deliverables?
Important project deliverables are those that directly contribute to the project's objectives and outcomes. They should align with the project's scope, meet quality standards, and satisfy stakeholder requirements.
What are the activities and deliverables of a project?
Activities in a project refer to the specific tasks or actions undertaken to achieve project objectives, while deliverables are the tangible or intangible outputs resulting from these activities.
