Deliverable Definition

In project management, a deliverable is a tangible or intangible item that is delivered to a customer (either internal or external) as part of a project. A deliverable can be a report, document, software application, database, system component, etc.

The term ‘deliverable’ is often used interchangeably with the term ‘output’. However, some project management methodologies make a distinction between the two terms: outputs are what the project produces, while deliverables are what the customer receives. The terms can also be distinguished by scope: outputs are internal to the project, while deliverables are external.

In order to be considered a deliverable, an output must meet certain criteria: it must be something that can be handed over to the customer; it must be included in the project’s scope; and it must have an agreed upon date for delivery.