Deliverable
A specific, tangible output an agency commits to producing - a report, design, campaign or asset - usually with an acceptance criterion.
For example, a deliverable on a branding project might be 'a logo supplied in three formats (SVG, PNG, PDF), approved in up to two revision rounds.' Because it is specific and has an acceptance criterion, both sides know exactly when it is finished and signed off.
Why it matters to agencies: clearly defined deliverables are what you actually get paid for. Naming each one - with an acceptance criterion - prevents endless revisions, makes progress easy to track in a client portal, and ties payment milestones to concrete, agreed outputs.
- Deliverables with no acceptance criteria.
- Scope creep via 'just one more small thing'.
- No single source of truth for the latest version.
What is a deliverable?
A specific, tangible output an agency commits to producing - a report, design, campaign or asset - usually with an acceptance criterion.
What is the difference between a deliverable and a milestone?
A deliverable is a tangible output (a design, a report); a milestone is a point in the timeline, often marked by handing over one or more deliverables.
What makes a good deliverable definition?
It is specific, names the format, has an acceptance criterion, and states how many revision rounds are included - so 'done' is never subjective.
How do deliverables relate to payment?
Tying milestones and invoices to accepted deliverables protects cash flow and gives both sides a clear, agreed definition of progress.