Work Product vs. Deliverable

What is the difference between a work product and a deliverable?

A work product is a report, diagram, or collection of documents used by the business analyst during the requirements development process. A work product may or may not become a deliverable. A work product can be used to share information with stakeholders, elicit requirements, provide status, etc.

Examples of a work product may include:

• Meeting minutes
• Diagrams
• Recorded discussions
• Status reports
• Presentations
• Prototypes

Deliverables are specific outputs that the business analyst may create as part of their business analysis activities. A Business analyst can use work products to help create project deliverables.

Examples of deliverables may include:

• Requirements Management Plan
• Business Requirements Document
• Work Breakdown structure
• Communication Plan

A business analyst must understand the difference between the two. Showing a stakeholder a work project can lead to confusion as the work product is only meant as a means of collecting or presenting information and is not meant as a final product. Deliverables are used as a communication tool and will deliver information about the final product to the stakeholder.