SQUARE PEG, ROUND HOLE!

A project sponsor is a prerequisite before embarking on any project in your business. In smaller businesses or projects, the project sponsor can be the project manager or business manager responsible for implementing the piece of work. This would be typically true in smaller consultancies.

Where do I find my project sponsor?

Let us assume that you need a project sponsor for a program of work who is not the PM. Perhaps you are looking at replacing a financial system in your company and a project sponsor needs to be appointed.


The first point of call is to determine which part of the company is most affected by the project in question. With projects that involve a considerable IT, it can often be a senior member of the IT management team that is approached to be the sponsor. This is not necessarily the correct approach. In fact, it can be detrimental to the projects’ success.

In our example, with a financially impacting project, it would be relevant to appoint a senior member of the finance department as the executive/project sponsor. It is unimportant that they control the resources directly, but it is vital that they understand what the project is delivering and the benefits that it is going to bring the business.

With this understanding they can ensure they engage in their role and help to drive it to success.

So when choosing your sponsor, look carefully at who can be the biggest supporter of ensuring its success and capable of driving it throughout the business.

Photo: Jeff Sandquist