The Expected Project Sponsor Profile

In my last post titled, “Sponsorship… The Project Sponsor Roles and Responsibilities”, I briefly discussed the roles and responsibilities expected from a Project Sponsor as well as what means a good sponsorship performance.

In today’s post I want to share what kind of “profile” we should expect from a Project Sponsor.  As somebody said, “Many people are honored to be a sponsor of a large and important project, the problem is that it is not an honorary position”, let’s see…

Skills required to perform Sponsorship

To perform a successful sponsorship, the project sponsor needs skills such as:

• Appreciation of organization strategy

• Ability to prepare a business case

• Profound knowledge of the organization’s operations

• Effective partnership with the project manager orchestrating all players involved in delivering the project 

Expected from the Sponsor

• Project Sponsor assistance in controlling team engagement and collaboration

• Project Sponsor being viewed as a trustable resource (integrity, knowledge, experience, and commitment)

• Project Sponsor being conscious about external project demands and assistance in prioritization, and aware of on-going operations activities when recommending corrective actions

• Project Sponsor reviewing progress reports in a timely matter, as agreed between them

• Project Sponsor applying Leadership Capabilities, especially working collaboratively, acting decisively and thinking strategically

• Project Sponsor taking immediate action to escalate issues or risks.

A Project Sponsor, should…

• Ensure alignment of the project with business needs and its priority alongside other business initiatives

• Ensure a business case is prepared which includes clearly defined business benefits

• Give visible support and champion the project on behalf of the business throughout the project life cycle

• Actively support the project authorization process

• Ensure the defined business benefits are delivered

• Work closely with and support the Project Manager

• Identify whether a Steering Committee is needed. If so assemble and chair

• Ensure commitment of Key Stakeholders and Line Managers

• Ensure resources are committed to the project

• Resolve cross team and/or function issues, if escalated by the project leader

• Monitor and review project progress and budgets

• Keep updated the corresponding project portfolio boards, and assist to review meeting

• Acknowledge successes

• Ensure the project is reviewed and lessons learned are shared

• Agree release of the project team

Some concerns about project Sponsor performance

• My Sponsor does not understand the link between an estimate and the scope it is based upon…

• My Sponsor does not understand the concept of estimate quality; he/she just relies on the 1st number he/she heard!

• My Sponsor announced the delivery date before we even had a plan

• Once the project started, the Sponsor just disappeared

The above mentioned provide a better understanding of what we should expect the from the Project Sponsor.  It is strongly recommended to discuss with our Project Sponsor what we expect from he/she at the early beginning of the project.  You might this post as a reference to highlight your one-to-one meeting.

Comments and/or questions are welcome.