Deliverables
A deliverable is any unique and verifiable product, result, or capability to produce a service that is required to be produced to complete a process, phase, or project.
Explanation
Deliverables are the tangible or intangible outputs that the project produces. They can be physical products (a building, a piece of software, a document), results (improved process efficiency, research findings), or capabilities (a trained workforce, an operational system). Every project exists to create deliverables, and the success of the project is largely measured by whether those deliverables meet the acceptance criteria defined by stakeholders.
Deliverables go through several states during the project. They are first defined during scope planning and documented in the project scope statement and WBS. They are created during execution through the Direct and Manage Project Work process. They are verified through quality control processes (Control Quality) and formally accepted through the Validate Scope process. Finally, they are handed off during closing.
It is important to distinguish between internal deliverables (intermediate outputs needed for the project but not delivered to the customer, such as a project management plan or a design document) and external deliverables (the final products or services delivered to the customer or end user).
Key Points
- •Unique and verifiable products, results, or capabilities
- •Defined during planning, created during execution, accepted through scope validation
- •Must meet stakeholder acceptance criteria
- •Can be internal (for the project) or external (for the customer)
Exam Tip
Validate Scope is the process that formally accepts deliverables. Control Quality verifies deliverables meet quality requirements. The exam frequently tests whether acceptance (Validate Scope) or quality checking (Control Quality) comes first — quality control precedes validation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables.
Closing Process Group
The Closing Process Group consists of processes performed to formally complete or close the project, phase, or contract.
Incremental Life Cycle
An incremental life cycle is an approach where the deliverable is produced through a series of iterations that successively add functionality within a predetermined time frame.
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