Deliverables

What are deliverables?

Deliverables are the measurable goods, services, or outputs that must be produced and handed over at the completion of a project—or at defined milestones within a project. They can be tangible (hardware, buildings) or intangible (software, training, reports) and may be delivered internally or to external customers.

Key takeaways

• Deliverables define what is produced to satisfy project goals.
• They can be tangible or intangible, internal or external.
• Deliverables are typically documented in contracts, statements of work (SOW), or project plans and tied to milestones and payment terms.
• Clear deliverables keep projects on schedule and help allocate resources effectively.

How deliverables work

Deliverables are usually specified in project documentation that sets scope, timelines, acceptance criteria, and payment terms. Common elements include:
* Description: precise definition of the output and acceptance criteria.
* Timeline and milestones: interim targets that may require partial deliverables or progress reports.
* Ownership and recipients: who produces it and who receives/approves it.
* Supporting documentation: manuals, test results, licenses, or legal releases as required.

Milestones break large projects into manageable stages. A milestone may require submission of a prototype, a status report, or a completed component that contributes to the final deliverable.

Film and media deliverables (example)

In film production, deliverables include specific audio, visual, and paperwork items required by distributors:
* Audio/video: finished picture in specified formats, stereo and 5.1 mixes, separated music and effects tracks.
* Marketing assets: trailers, TV spots, publicity stills.
* Paperwork/legal: music licenses, performance releases, credit blocks, location and logo releases.

Filmmakers should request the distributor’s deliverable list early to ensure timely assembly.

Types of deliverables

Tangible vs. intangible
* Tangible: physical outputs such as equipment, buildings, or manufactured goods.
* Intangible: services or non-physical outputs such as software, training programs, designs, or reports.

Internal vs. external
* Internal (project deliverables): outputs used within the organization to progress the project (e.g., design documents, internal prototypes).
* External (product deliverables): final outputs delivered to customers or stakeholders (e.g., finished product, implementation).

Requirements for deliverables

To define and manage deliverables effectively:
1. Start with a clear project goal and scope.
2. Specify each deliverable with acceptance criteria and format.
3. Map deliverables to phases and milestones (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, closing).
4. Include timelines, responsibilities, and payment terms in contracts or SOWs.
5. Use progress reports, tests, or reviews to validate milestone deliverables.

Common early deliverables include SWOT or gap analyses, project scope statements, design presentations, budgets, and Gantt charts.

Examples of deliverables

• Project strategy or scope report
• Budget and cost reports
• Progress or status reports
• Beta software or prototype
• Test and quality assurance reports
• Training materials and user manuals

Deliverable vs. objective

• Objective: a broader outcome or benefit the project aims to achieve (e.g., reduce processing time by 30%).
• Deliverable: the concrete outputs that enable reaching that objective (e.g., new software system, training program).

Describing a deliverable

A clear deliverable description includes:
* What will be produced
* Who will produce and approve it
* Format and acceptance criteria
* Delivery date or milestone
* Related documentation or dependencies

Bottom line

Deliverables are the concrete outputs that measure project progress and success. Well-defined deliverables—documented with acceptance criteria, timelines, and responsibilities—are essential for managing expectations, controlling scope, and ensuring timely completion.