Expressing "a success" with 胜利 and 成功
Both words can be nouns “a success”, but 成功 can be used in different meanings.
The noun 胜利
The noun 胜利 
expresses winning in a competition, a war or an argument.
expresses winning in a competition, a war or an argument.Examples
我们希望重复去年的胜利
We want to repeat last year’s success
wǒmen xīwàng chóngfù qùnián de shènglì
胜利将确保他们能参加决赛
A victory will guarantee that we reach the final game
shènglì jiāng quèbǎo tāmen néng cānjiā juésài
他眼睛里闪烁着胜利的光辉
The victory was shining in his eyes
tā yǎnjīng lǐ shǎnshuò zhe shènglì de guānghuī
The word 成功
成功 can be either a verb, an adjective or a noun.
can be either a verb, an adjective or a noun.As a verb
成功 as a noun means “a success”.
Examples
这本书保证了他的成功
By reading this book, it guarantees that he will find success
zhè běn shū bǎozhèng le tā de chénggōng
仔细计划是成功的诀窍
Careful planning is the secret to success
zǐxì jìhuà shì chénggōng de juéqiào
As a verb
成功 as a verb means "to succeed". It often has a figurative meaning when talking about the successful completion of something.
Examples
我认为它将会成功
I think it can work
wǒ rènwéi tā jiāng huì chénggōng
我们的计划成功了
Our plan succeeded
wǒmen de jìhuà chénggōng le
As an adjective
成功 as an adjective means “successful”.
Examples
大家认为这项活动很成功
Everyone thought that the event was a success
dàjiā rènwéi zhè xiàng huódòng hěn chénggōng
聚会办得非常成功
The party was a success
jùhuì bàn de fēicháng chénggōng