What Is A Sub Deliverable Project Management

What is a Sub-Deliverable in Project Management?

Okay, let’s talk about something super important in project management: sub-deliverables. Think of a big project like building a house. You don’t just magically have a finished house appear, right? There are many smaller steps or pieces that need to be finished first. These smaller pieces, like getting the foundation poured, the walls framed, or the plumbing installed, are like sub-deliverables. So, in the world of project management, a sub-deliverable is just a smaller, specific, and measurable part of a larger project deliverable. It’s like a mini-goal that helps you reach the big goal. Let’s dive in and learn more about how they work and why they’re so useful!

Understanding the Basics of Project Deliverables

Before we go deep into sub-deliverables, it’s good to have a clear idea about what a project deliverable actually is. A project deliverable is simply a tangible or intangible item or result that a project creates. It can be a report, a software program, a finished product, a training session, or anything else that’s produced as part of a project. Project deliverables are what your project team works to create.

Types of Project Deliverables

Project deliverables can come in different shapes and sizes. Here are some common types:

• Physical Deliverables: These are things you can touch, like a product prototype, a building, or a printed document.
• Digital Deliverables: These are things you can see or use on a computer, like software, website design, or a database.
• Service Deliverables: These are actions or events, like training sessions, consulting reports, or marketing campaigns.
• Strategic Deliverables: These include plans, policies, or strategies, like a project plan, a marketing strategy, or a risk assessment.

Each type of project deliverable helps you achieve the main goal of your project and move forward in the project timeline. So you have the big project deliverable and the smaller sub deliverable, that helps you to reach that big project deliverable.

The Significance of Sub-Deliverables

So, why are sub-deliverables important? Well, they help you to manage the project in a more structured way. A large project with many moving parts can feel overwhelming. Breaking it down into smaller, manageable sub-deliverables allows you to work on smaller portions at a time. This makes your project less daunting, and your work more organized. You can focus on one task at a time and make sure each part is done well before moving on to the next.

Why Use Sub-Deliverables?

• Clear Path: Sub-deliverables provide a clearer path to achieving the project goal. They act like guideposts that show you how far you have come and how much further you need to go.
• Better Tracking: It’s easier to track progress on small tasks. You can see what is completed and what is still pending. With sub-deliverables, it’s easier to see when something is behind schedule, or done early.
• Improved Accountability: When tasks are specific, it’s easier to assign responsibility. This helps each team member understand what they need to do and who is responsible for what, making for an accountable team.
• Risk Reduction: Smaller steps mean that if something goes wrong, it’s easier to fix and has less of a negative impact on the whole project. By identifying and managing small risks in each sub-deliverable, you keep the big picture safe.
• More Efficient Project Management: Working on small, focused sub-deliverables allows for a better workflow. When you focus on sub-deliverables, you use your time more wisely.

Sub-Deliverables vs. Tasks

Sometimes, people might confuse sub-deliverables with tasks, so let’s clear this up. Tasks are smaller units of work needed to complete a sub-deliverable. Think of it this way: tasks are like the ingredients, and the sub-deliverable is like the completed dish. For example, if a sub-deliverable is “design a website home page,” then the tasks would include writing the copy, creating the visuals, and coding the page. Tasks are the “how” of getting a sub-deliverable done.

Key Differences

In short, tasks help achieve sub-deliverables, and sub-deliverables contribute to the final project deliverable. They all work together like a team.

How to Identify and Define Sub-Deliverables

Identifying and defining sub-deliverables is a crucial step for effective project management. It helps in planning and keeping on schedule. Here’s how you can go about it:

Start with the Final Deliverable

Always begin with the end in mind. First, clearly define the main project deliverable. What’s the final thing you want to achieve? Once you’ve got that clear, you can then work backwards to identify the smaller parts needed to create that final product. Think of it like a puzzle – you have the completed picture on the box and you need to figure out each piece to assemble it.

Break Down the Work

Once you have your final deliverable in mind, break down the work required into smaller, manageable sections. These smaller sections will become your sub-deliverables. Make sure that each sub-deliverable is well-defined and has clear objectives. Use a work breakdown structure (WBS) to help organize this process.

Make it SMART

Ensure that each sub-deliverable is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). This means that each sub-deliverable should:

• Specific: Clearly defined and easy to understand
• Measurable: It should have a way to measure its completion, like how many pages should be completed in the report or how many units will be produced.
• Achievable: Reasonable to complete, with the team’s capacity
• Relevant: Important to the project’s overall goal
• Time-bound: Having a clear start and finish date

Involve the Team

Talk to your project team! Involve them in defining sub-deliverables and deciding what needs to be accomplished. Team members can bring their unique perspective and help identify the work and things you may have missed. This also helps with team buy-in and accountability since they understand their roles.

Examples of Sub-Deliverables

Let’s look at a few examples to get a better idea:

• For a Software Development Project: If the main project deliverable is a complete software application, some sub-deliverables could be:
  • Completed user interface design
  • Functional database structure
  • Coded login module
  • Completed user manual
• For a Construction Project: If the main project deliverable is a finished house, some sub-deliverables could be:
  • Completed foundation pouring
  • Framed walls
  • Installed plumbing system
  • Installed electrical wiring
• For a Marketing Campaign Project: If the main project deliverable is a complete marketing campaign, some sub-deliverables could be:
  • Finalized market research report
  • Approved marketing strategy plan
  • Created advertising materials
  • Completed social media campaign posts

Tools for Managing Sub-Deliverables

Now that we know what sub-deliverables are, how do we manage them? Fortunately, many project management tools can help keep track of sub-deliverables. These tools assist in planning, execution, and monitoring.

Project Management Software

Software solutions like Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project, or Jira are great for tracking sub-deliverables. They let you create lists, assign tasks, set due dates, and track project progress. These programs usually have features like Gantt charts, dashboards, and task management tools that make it easier to see your tasks and their progress and see your project as a whole.

Spreadsheets

For projects, a simple spreadsheet program like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel can also be helpful for tracking sub-deliverables. You can create tables that list each sub-deliverable, its status, assigned team member, and due date. While not as complex as project management software, they provide basic but helpful tracking tools.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A WBS is a visual way to organize your project and break it down into its smaller parts. You can visually see how the sub-deliverables contribute to the final project deliverable. This structure can be used with your project management software or with physical charts for smaller projects.

The Advantages of Using Sub-Deliverables in Real-World Projects

Using sub-deliverables isn’t just a theory – it offers real benefits in actual project settings. Many teams use this approach, because it works!

Case Study: Software Development

Imagine a software team working on a new app. Instead of focusing on just “finishing the app,” they define specific sub-deliverables like “completed user interface,” “functional database,” and “tested login feature.” With these clear sub-deliverables, they can assign each part to a team and see progress easily. When a problem happens in “tested login feature” they know exactly where to focus and fix the issue. This makes the project smoother and they deliver on time.

Case Study: Marketing Campaign

Consider a marketing team that is about to launch a campaign for a new product. Instead of just launching the campaign, they start with sub-deliverables like “completed market analysis,” “developed messaging strategy,” and “designed ad materials.” By doing this, they ensure each piece of the project is done right and is working well with the other parts. If the “developed messaging strategy” needs adjustments, it can be updated without impacting the other sections of the project, allowing for a much more flexible project management.

Case Study: Construction Project

In a construction project, instead of only thinking of finishing the whole building, they use sub-deliverables like “finished foundation”, “completed framing,” “installed plumbing” to make sure all goes smoothly. This approach ensures that the work is done well and on time. If a delay happens with the “finished foundation,” they can focus on what happened and get back on schedule, without derailing the whole project.

Best Practices for Working with Sub-Deliverables

To make the most of sub-deliverables, follow these best practices:

Regular Review

Regularly review the progress of each sub-deliverable. Check to make sure it is still on target with quality, time, and resources. If you notice any issues, address them early to minimize risks.

Clear Communication

Keep the entire project team informed of progress, updates, and challenges. Clear communication will help keep things running smoothly and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Use communication channels like team meetings and project status updates.

Flexibility

Be prepared to adjust sub-deliverables or timelines as needed. Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned, and it’s important to have room to change. If you keep the big picture in mind, flexibility will keep you focused on the project goals.

Use Project Management Tools

Use project management tools that help to keep your sub-deliverables organized and tracked. These tools help everyone see the project status and stay on the same track.

Celebrate Achievements

Don’t forget to celebrate the completion of each sub-deliverable! This can keep everyone on your team motivated and excited about their contribution to the whole project. This helps everyone stay engaged and work hard to finish the overall project.

Using sub-deliverables in project management helps you to take big projects and make them more manageable, structured, and less confusing. By creating clear sub-deliverables, you can improve organization, accountability, and deliver the final project well and on time. Remember to break down the work, define tasks clearly, and use tools that help you keep things organized. So, next time you’re starting a new project, remember the power of the sub-deliverable!