Project deliverables: What are they in project management?

Every project has an objective. Whether you’re making some updates to your website or building the next Eiffel Tower, you and your team are working towards something. Ultimately, running a successful project means having something to show for it at the end of the project’s timeline, whether that’s a tangible thing—like a new product or an ebook—or an intangible thing—like a decrease in customer churn or increase in NPS score.

That “thing” you’re working towards is a deliverable. Knowing what your deliverables are and clearly communicating them to your team and stakeholders can help you achieve your project objectives. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to identify, set, and achieve your project deliverables.

What are project deliverables?

Project deliverables are the output you expect to have at the end of your project. Deliverables can be anything—a new product, marketing campaign, feature update, sales deck, a decrease in churn, or an increase in NPS. Your project might have one or many key deliverables, but defining them up front helps your team focus, align, and move quickly on the work that matters most.

Types of project deliverables

Some teams struggle when trying to define the deliverables of a project. One team spent days debating whether a training manual was a project deliverable or just a task. The truth is deliverables come in many forms; each one plays a role in moving the project forward.

Internal deliverables

Internal deliverables help the project team manage the work. A typical example is a project plan or status report shared between team members.

External deliverables

External project deliverables are the final results delivered to clients or external stakeholders. Think of things like a marketing campaign or a new product launch.

Process deliverables

Process deliverables are the tools or documents created during project execution that help move the work forward. A good example is a prototype or testing report.

Product deliverables

Product deliverables are the actual goods or services produced by the project. This might be a software application, a training manual, or a finished final product.

Tangible deliverables

Tangible deliverables are physical or measurable outputs. These could include equipment, hardware, or printed documentation.

Intangible deliverables

Intangible deliverables are non-physical outcomes. Examples include a business process, a workflow update, or an improved service capability.

Digital deliverables

Digital deliverables are technology-based outputs created or delivered online. These often include a software application, a website, or a digital prototype.

How to identify project deliverables

Some teams rush into building without a clear plan. One marketing team launched a whole campaign before realizing no one had defined what “done” looked like. Without a clear list of project deliverables, they missed key deadlines and had to rework half the content. That’s why it pays to slow down and get specific.

1. Define your project scope

Before anything else, make sure the project scope is defined. This outlines what’s included and what’s not and sets boundaries that help avoid scope creep. It gives your project team a shared understanding of what needs to happen and what success looks like.

2. Start with your project objectives

Review the project objectives in your project plan or project charter. These goals shape your deliverables and help align your team’s work with the project goals and stakeholder expectations.

3. Break down the work

Create a work breakdown structure (WBS) to break down large goals into smaller, manageable pieces. This gives you a clear view of the work and shows how each task connects to a larger project milestone or final product.

4. Identify specific deliverables

Go through your tasks and ask, “Is this something we’ll hand off or ship?” If yes, it’s probably a key deliverable. These might include tangible deliverables, such as a report, or intangible deliverables, like a new process.

5. Involve key stakeholders

Share your draft list with key stakeholders early on. Their input helps shape the project requirements and prevents surprises later. Getting on the same page now reduces the chance of rework or missed dependencies down the road.

6. Look at internal and external deliverables

Check for both internal deliverables (such as a status report, resource allocation document, or project schedule) and external deliverables (such as a completed software application or client-facing presentation). Each type plays a different role in tracking project progress.

7. Map deliverables to KPIs

Make sure your deliverables tie back to key performance indicators (KPIs). If a deliverable helps track or move a KPI, it’s likely core to the project’s success and should be monitored closely.

How to manage project deliverables

Managing project deliverables means keeping your team focused, your timeline realistic, and your work transparent. With the right tools and habits, you can move from planning to delivery without dropping the ball.

Use project management tools

Project management tools help you streamline communication, organize work, and stay ahead of deadlines. Many platforms include built-in task management, automation features, and app integrations. All of which makes it easier to assign work, monitor progress, and keep everyone on the same page.

Project management software improves functionality by giving your team a single place to see updates and next steps. When you’re managing multiple deliverables in project management, tools like Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and calendars help you visualize workflows and spot blockers before they slow down your project timeline or throw off key milestones.

Set smart deadlines

Use project milestones to divide the work into clear project phases. These checkpoints provide your team with natural pause points to review progress and adjust timelines as needed. Set smart deadlines that keep your team focused and avoid burnout. This also makes it easier to meet quality standards, whether you’re shipping a product or delivering internal docs.

Assign responsibilities

Every task and handoff should have a clear owner. When assigning work, consider the workload, expertise, and availability of each individual. This helps avoid gaps and keeps things moving through each stage of the project lifecycle. Defining roles upfront is one of the easiest ways to prevent confusion, missed steps, or dropped deliverables in a project, especially when multiple teams or departments are involved.

Track progress

Use built-in reporting features or simple status updates to keep an eye on the overall project. Tracking helps you spot blockers early, manage dependencies, and keep stakeholders in the loop. When deliverables are tied to a visible progress tracker, it’s easier to keep everyone moving in the same direction.

Examples of project deliverables

Your project deliverables should match your project objectives, fit the project scope, and be doable with the time and resources you have. A clear, realistic deliverable sets your team up for success. Here are a few common project deliverables examples of what you might deliver.

Marketing campaign plan

• Type of deliverable: External deliverable

• Example external deliverable: One 60-second live-action video formatted for YouTube.

Sales Plan

• Type of deliverable: Internal deliverable

• Example internal deliverable: Robust sales and operations planning detailing inbound and outbound sales strategy, revenue targets, target customers, and sales tooling for FY22.

Usability testing plan

• Type of deliverable: External deliverable

• Example external deliverable: Complete usability testing session with at least 20 participants on August 4th.

Product marketing launch

• Type of deliverable: External deliverable

• Example external deliverable: Promotion of new product features via social, web, and PR.

Company event planning

• Type of deliverable: Internal deliverable

• Example internal deliverable: Virtual company holiday party on December 18th.

Case study: How Deputy tracks project deliverables

Deputy makes it easier for businesses to schedule staff and track hours. Companies like Amazon and Nike rely on it to manage large, distributed teams. As Deputy grew, each team used different tools to manage work. That led to silos, missed updates, and unclear project deliverables. To fix it, they moved everyone into one platform: Asana.

Now, teams across marketing, customer success, engineering, and finance use Asana to manage tasks, run campaigns, and track work in real-time. Everyone knows what’s due, who owns it, and when it’s expected to be completed. That visibility helps Deputy stay aligned—even with global teams working asynchronously.

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To learn more about how the Deputy team uses Asana company-wide, read the full case study.

Stay on track with your project deliverables

Getting your project deliverables across the finish line starts with clear goals, smart planning, and the right tools. When everyone knows what they're working on—and when it's due—your team can focus, move faster, and avoid surprises.

Asana is a roadmap that brings everything into one place so you can assign tasks, set deadlines, and manage work in real-time.

FAQs about project deliverables