Understanding Objectives and Deliverables in Project Management

If you manage projects, you probably hear “objectives and deliverables” a hundred times daily.

As annoying as it gets to constantly hear them, they’re buzzwords for a reason. Without objectives and deliverables, successful project management simply isn’t possible:

• Objectives define the big picture: what your team aims to achieve. 
• Deliverables are your team’s specific tasks or outputs to get there.
  

Together, they guide your project timeline and keep everyone on the same page. Without clear objectives and deliverables, resources get wasted, deadlines slip, and success falls out of reach.

In this post, we’ll explain their differences and show how they work together to move projects from concept to completion.

What are project objectives?

Project objectives are measurable statements that define what a project aims to achieve.

Unlike broader concepts like a mission or vision, objectives are specific, actionable, and directly tied to the project scope. They serve as the compass for the project manager, key stakeholders, and the team as a whole.

A well-crafted objective provides a clear direction for defining deliverables and lays the foundation for tracking project milestones.

An example of a project objective might be:

 Launch a functional e-commerce platform within six months to increase online sales by 20%.

Objectives like these focus on producing tangible things that can be completed within a defined timeline.

Project objectives vs. goals

(Source: Canva)

Project objectives	Project goals
Specific, measurable outcomes tied to the project scope. Tangible things that can be completed within a timeline. Clearly measurable and actionable. Driven by the project manager and project team. Example: “Produce five marketing campaigns in Q1 to boost leads by 15%.”	Broad, high-level aims that reflect the organization’s vision. Big-picture aspirations not tied to specific tasks. Often qualitative and less precise. Typically championed by leadership or executives. Example: “Become an industry leader in digital marketing.”

Examples of project objectives

• Launch a customer onboarding portal that meets UX and functionality standards and integrates with existing platforms within four months.
• Train the support team on a new helpdesk software by the end of Q1 to improve issue resolution time.
• Produce a quarterly usage report on client adoption for key stakeholders by the end of January.
• Implement automated retention workflows to reduce churn rate by 10% within six months.
• Roll out a new subscription tier that targets small businesses and improves conversion rates by 15% within the next quarter.

What are project deliverables?

Project deliverables are tangible outputs or results created to fulfill project objectives. These can range from a fully developed software application to training manuals or performance reports.

They can also include internal deliverables like project documentation used by your team or external deliverables like a product delivered to a client.

Difference between objectives and deliverables

While objectives define what a project attempts to achieve, deliverables are the outputs that make those objectives possible.

For instance, an objective could be to improve customer onboarding processes, while the deliverable could be a detailed user guide or an onboarding software module.

Think of it this way: objectives are the “why,” while deliverables are the “what.” Objectives provide the vision and context for your work, while deliverables represent the actionable steps or finished products that bring that vision to life.

Examples of project deliverables

• A software onboarding guide that helps new users navigate your platform.
• An analytics dashboard that lets team members monitor key metrics and track improvements in system performance.
• User training sessions like recorded webinars or live workshops to educate clients or internal teams on new software features.
• A risk assessment report that identifies potential project risks and outlines mitigation strategies.
• In-depth API documentation for developers to integrate new software seamlessly.

Project scope, objectives, and deliverables

Project success relies on aligning the scope, objectives, and deliverables.

• Project scope. The project scope defines the boundaries, including what the project will and won’t cover.
  
• Objectives. Objectives describe the desired outcomes within that scope.
  
• Deliverables. Deliverables are the tangible outputs created to meet those outcomes.

For example, if your SaaS company aims to improve user retention, your scope could focus on a single feature upgrade rather than a full platform overhaul. Deliverables could include a beta-tested feature update and accompanying user documentation.

How to write clear project objectives and deliverables

• Clearly describe the project scope. Define boundaries, focus areas, and exclusions to set realistic expectations for external stakeholders.
  
• Set measurable objectives. Use specific metrics (e.g., “reduce churn by 10%”) to describe the desired outcomes.
  
• List deliverables explicitly. Identify all tangible outputs required for each phase like documentation, prototypes, or training sessions.
  
• Collaborate with stakeholders. Gather input from internal teams and external stakeholders to identify priorities and potential gaps.
  
• Consider the budget and resources. Keep objectives and deliverables achievable with the company’s available time, budget, and personnel.
  
• Review regularly. Schedule check-ins to confirm that objectives remain relevant, deliverables are on track, and the scope remains intact.

Objectives vs. outcomes

While objectives and outcomes are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same.

Objectives outline what a project aims to accomplish, while outcomes represent the long-term impact of those efforts.

Key differences between objectives, deliverables, and outcomes

Objectives	Deliverables	Outcomes
Measurable targets defining what the project plan aims to achieve. What needs to be accomplished. Defined during the project schedule.	Tangible outputs created to meet project objectives. What needs to be created. Delivered during the execution phase of the project plan.	The long-term impact or performance improvements resulting from achieving objectives. The benefits or changes experienced after completing the project. Realized post-project or over an extended period.

Objectives vs. outcomes: Examples

Objectives

• Launch a new reporting feature by the end of Q2.
• Increase product adoption by 15% within six months.
• Shorten the onboarding process for new clients to under seven days.

Outcomes

• Improved user retention rates due to the new reporting feature.
• Greater revenue as more users adopt product features.
• Enhanced client satisfaction scores because of faster onboarding processes.

Best practices for defining objectives and deliverables

In many instances, objectives and deliverables can be a complicated matter. But that’s all the more reason they should be written with practicality. Try these actionable tips to help you define objectives and deliverables that lead to progress.

Tips for writing effective project objectives

• Use action words. Use clear and direct language, like “launch,” “reduce,” or “increase,” to state exactly what needs to happen.
  
• Quantify success. Include measurable outcomes like percentages, timeframes, or numerical targets to define what success looks like.
  
• Keep statements concise. Limit objectives to one or two sentences to prevent misinterpretation.
  
• Tie it to business goals. Relate each objective to bigger organizational outcomes. Each one must be relevant and impactful.
  
• Write for your audience. Use the language that project stakeholders use. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms unless necessary.

Bonus Tip: Try SMART Goals. Project managers swear by SMART goals. The ‘SMART’ acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. When you approach project planning with this criteria in mind, you help ensure the strength of your objectives. 

Best practices for defining deliverables

• Identify deliverables early. During project planning, list all tangible outputs required to meet objectives.
  
• Be detailed. Clearly describe each deliverable’s format, purpose, and the phase it belongs to.
  
• Assign ownership. Designate team members responsible for creating and delivering each item.
  
• Set clear deadlines. Assign each deliverable a specific milestone in the project schedule so it ties directly to broader objectives.
  
• Integrate quality checks. Build review points into the project schedule to assess deliverables against standards and expectations.
  
• Plan for internal and external requirements. Balance the creation of internal deliverables like documentation with external deliverables for stakeholders.

Conclusion

The next time you’re staring at a project plan, ask yourself two things.

First, does everyone on the team understand the objectives? If not, rewrite them until there’s no way to misinterpret them.

Second, are the deliverables actionable and tied to a realistic schedule? If they’re not, adjust them before the project spirals into a string of we’ll-get-to-it-laters.

Set clear expectations, keep everyone aligned, and remember that successful execution starts with a solid plan.