In this post, we’ll discuss the idea of deliverables in project management, their significance, and how they can be managed and tracked correctly. Join us as we explore the world of project management and learn the secret to completing projects successfully.
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What is a Deliverable?
Deliverables are crucial to project management because they give the project structure, responsibility, and clarity, thus ensuring that they are completed on schedule, within budget, and with the necessary quality standards.
A deliverable is a material or intangible product created as part of a project, and it is necessary to accomplish the project’s goals. Anything produced and delivered to satisfy deadlines and particular specifications qualifies as a deliverable and it may include a service, goods, report, document, or anything else.
Deliverables are crucial to project management since they serve as a gauge for the achievement and development attained. They are used to keep tabs on the project’s development and ensure that it is on track to achieving its goals. Deliverables ensure that everyone is working towards the same objective by setting clear expectations and duties for all stakeholders.
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What is a Project Deliverable?
Project deliverables are the outputs of a project that are produced and delivered to stakeholders. Deliverables, which can either be tangible or intangible, can be created at any point in the project’s life cycle to give stakeholders a clear idea of what the project is intended to deliver.
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Types of Deliverables
Project deliverables come in various forms, including:
- Product Deliverables – The actual goods or services that a project creates are known as its product deliverables. Examples include computer programs, structures, or other tangible goods.
- Process Deliverables – Process deliverables comprise project-related documentation, reports, and plans. Project plans, timetables, and reports are a few examples of this type of deliverables.
- Deliverables for Project Management – These deliverables include the documents and reports that are produced to oversee the project. Status updates, risk evaluations, and modification requests are a few examples of this kind of deliverables.
- Interim Deliverables – These are the outputs produced throughout the project and utilized to assess the progress. Prototypes, wireframes, and mock-ups are a few examples of this kind of deliverables.
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What Happens to a Deliverable After it is Created?
Project management entails the process of managing deliverables. Besides addressing the needs of stakeholders and end users, it ensures that the project is executed on schedule, within budget, and with the necessary quality standards.
A deliverable must pass through several steps after it is developed before it is deemed finished. These phases might involve approval, acceptance, and review. An overview of what happens to a deliverable when created is provided below.
- Review – To ensure that the product satisfies the necessary quality standards and specifications, the project team and stakeholders examine it. Any problems or errors that come up are located and the problems are fixed.
- Approval – The deliverable is presented for approval once it has been examined and any visible problems have been fixed. Approval from the project sponsor or other stakeholders may be necessary.
- Acceptance – The deliverable is deemed accepted and ready for usage once it has received approval. This can entail giving the client or end-user ownership of the delivery.
- Maintenance – Depending on the nature of the deliverable, it may need constant upkeep and assistance to guarantee that it continues to adhere to the necessary quality requirements and standards.
- Archiving – After the deliverable has served its purpose, it may be disposed of or archived for future use.
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Managing Deliverables in Project Management
Managing project deliverables is a critical task in project management. To manage project deliverables, effectively, project managers need to uphold the following:
- Define Deliverables – Project managers need to define clearly the project deliverables. They need to identify what is expected from the project and what the stakeholders will receive.
- Set Priorities – Project managers must set priorities for project deliverables. They should determine the essential deliverables and those that can be postponed.
- Create a Schedule – Project managers should have a schedule for the project deliverables. They must know when each deliverable is due and how the same will be delivered.
- Monitor Progress – Project managers must necessarily monitor the progress of the project deliverables. They should ensure that the deliverables are being created on time and within budget.
- Communicate With Stakeholders – Project managers need to communicate with stakeholders, regularly. They need to keep the stakeholders informed of the progress of the project deliverables and any changes that occur.
- Track Changes – Project managers need to track any changes that happen to the project deliverables. They need to ensure that any and all changes are documented and communicated to the stakeholders.
- Ensure Quality – Project managers are responsible for ensuring that the deliverables meet the necessary standards. They must ascertain not only whether the deliverables are error-free but also if they match the stakeholders’ expectations.
- Obtain Acceptance – Project managers must win the approval of stakeholders for the project deliverables. They must ensure that the deliverables satisfy the stakeholders’ requirements and adhere to their specifications.
Consequences of Not Meeting Project Deliverables
Failing to meet the project deliverables can have major repercussions on a project, as well as the organization. Proper project management is crucial to ensure that project deliverables are completed on schedule, within budget, and with acceptable quality standards. This can contribute to the success of the project, as well as the satisfaction of the stakeholders and end users.
The project, as well as the organization, may suffer greatly if the project deliverables are not met. Mentioned below are some repercussions of failing to satisfy project deliverables.
- Missed Deadlines – When project deliverables are not met, deadlines may be missed, and this can affect the project schedule, causing a delay in the project’s completion.
- Cost Overruns – If project deliverables are not completed, it may necessitate extra work, rework, or penalties for missing deadlines, which can result in higher expenses. This may increase the costs and have an adverse effect on the project’s budget.
- Poor Quality – When project deliverables are not met, it results in poor work quality; this can annoy customers and harm an organization’s reputation.
Scope Creep – When project deliverables are not met, it may result in the addition of new requirements to the project, which may further need adequate preparation and approval. This can have an effect on the project’s budget and schedule.
- Legal and Contractual Issues – The non-compliance of project deliverables can give rise to legal and contractual problems, such as contract breaches or non-compliance with regulations.
Conclusion
A project’s outputs, whether material or intangible, are known as deliverables. Deliverables created throughout a project’s life cycle can be goods, services, or written materials. A project’s success depends on the efficient management of its outputs. Project managers can manage project deliverables and produce successful projects by defining project deliverables, setting priorities, developing a timeline, keeping track of progress, talking with stakeholders, tracking modifications, guaranteeing quality, and gaining acceptance.
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