In finance, the word ‘deliverables’ gets tossed around in boardrooms, project briefs, and contract negotiations. But what does it really mean in 2025? Whether you’re managing a super fund migration, rolling out new fintech software, or engaging a consultant, understanding deliverables is essential to staying on budget and on track.

What Are Deliverables in Finance?

At its simplest, a deliverable is any tangible or intangible output promised as part of a project or contract. In the financial sector, deliverables can range from a regulatory compliance report to the successful launch of a client portal. With the acceleration of digital transformation and tighter regulatory scrutiny in 2025, deliverables have become more specific—and more critical—than ever.

Examples of deliverables: Audit reports, migration plans, investment strategy documents, API integrations, user training sessions, compliance certifications.
Why they matter: Clearly defined deliverables mean fewer disputes, measurable outcomes, and more predictable timelines for all parties involved.

As financial services integrate more automation and data-driven solutions, expect deliverables to include not just documentation but also working prototypes, live dashboards, and training modules tailored to client needs.

2025 Policy Shifts: Why Defining Deliverables Is Essential

This year, updates to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) standards and the ongoing implementation of Consumer Data Right (CDR) rules have raised the bar for project documentation. Financial institutions are now required to maintain more granular records of project milestones and outcomes, making explicit deliverables not just a best practice, but a compliance necessity.

APRA’s CPS 230 (Operational Risk Management): Requires banks and insurers to document and evidence all key deliverables in transformation projects, especially those involving third-party vendors.
CDR Expansion: Fintechs providing open banking services must submit detailed deliverables around data security and customer consent processes to regulatory bodies.

Failing to nail down deliverables can now result in regulatory penalties or delays in project approvals, making clarity paramount for finance leaders and project managers alike.

How to Set—and Achieve—Effective Deliverables

Establishing clear deliverables starts at project kickoff, but it doesn’t stop there. Here’s how to get it right in 2025:

Collaborate Early: Bring all stakeholders—clients, IT, compliance, external partners—into the conversation to define what success looks like.
Make Deliverables SMART: They should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Avoid vague terms like “improved reporting”; instead, specify “monthly compliance dashboard with real-time breach alerts by Q2”.
Document Everything: Use modern project management tools (like Asana or Jira) to track deliverables, owners, and deadlines. Attach supporting files and update progress in real time.
Review and Adapt: Regularly revisit deliverables as project scope or regulations evolve. In 2025’s fast-changing landscape, agility is just as important as precision.

Consider this scenario: A mid-sized wealth manager is upgrading its client onboarding system to comply with new anti-money laundering (AML) rules. The deliverables might include a gap analysis report, the deployed onboarding software, staff training workshops, and a sign-off from legal. Each should be clearly described in the contract and tied to payment milestones or regulatory deadlines.

Real-World Example: Deliverables in a Fintech Partnership

In 2025, an Australian neobank partners with a regtech firm to implement AI-powered transaction monitoring. Deliverables include:

Integration blueprint signed off by both IT teams
Working transaction monitoring tool in the bank’s sandbox environment
Training session for compliance officers (with attendance records)
Regulatory attestation letter for APRA submission

By making each deliverable explicit, both parties reduce risk, keep the project on track, and meet APRA’s new transparency requirements.

Conclusion: The Deliverables Advantage in 2025

Deliverables are no longer just a box-ticking exercise—they’re a strategic tool for success in Australia’s evolving financial landscape. With regulatory scrutiny at an all-time high and projects growing more complex, clear deliverables ensure everyone’s on the same page from day one.