Deliverables

Deliverables are what is produced when working toward a goal or outcome.

In the world of user interface and user experience design, deliverables such as user research, sketches, wireframes, and prototypes are several milestone deliverables to create in the product development process.

Types of UX Deliverables

UX deliverables vary depending on the project phase, team size, and goals. Some of the most common types include:

• User research reports: Summarize interviews, surveys, usability tests, or diary studies findings. Often includes themes, insights, and opportunities.
• Personas: Representations of user types, including behaviors, goals, and pain points. Personas help teams align on who they are designing for.
• Customer journey maps: Visual timelines of a user’s interaction with a product or service, highlighting touchpoints, emotions, and pain points.
• Task flows and user flows: Diagrams showing step-by-step paths a user takes to complete specific tasks or reach a goal.
• Wireframes: Low-fidelity layouts that outline basic structure and content without detailed styling. Used to align on the layout early.
• Prototypes: Interactive versions of a design used for testing or stakeholder demos. They may be low-fidelity (clickable wireframes) or high-fidelity (polished UI mockups).
• Design systems or UI kits: Collections of reusable components, styles, and patterns to ensure consistency across an interface.
• Accessibility documentation: Notes or specs highlighting how the design meets accessibility standards, such as contrast ratios or keyboard navigability.

When are Deliverables Created

UX deliverables are created throughout the design process, from early discovery to final handoff:

• During discovery and research: Research plans, interview scripts, personas, and research summaries are common early-phase deliverables.
• During design and exploration: Wireframes, sketches, mood boards, or early prototypes are shared to get alignment on structure and direction.
• During testing and iteration: Updated prototypes, annotated screens, or usability test plans and results are created to capture progress and findings.
• During delivery or handoff: Final designs, redlines, interaction specs, and documentation are packaged for handoff to engineering or development teams.