The Five Key Responsibilities of a Project Sponsor by Anticlue

The role of a project manager and project team are quite well defined. There is literature on the subject and the keys to success. However, the responsibilities of a project sponsor can be nebulous. This is the individual who has truly campaigned for the solution, garnered funding in tight economic times, and now is ready to move forward with implementation. Suddenly, there are additional individuals engaged and now the role has changed. What is important is what the role has become.

There are five critical responsibilities which every project sponsor should take to heart.

• Advocate - The project sponsor needs to actively manage the politics of the implementation, over-coming barriers to during the project, and proclaiming the benefits of the solution to all stakeholders


• Leader - The project sponsor needs to have decision responsibility for the implementation. Additionally the project sponsor should help create and maintain the sense of urgency for the solution. For items which are escalated to the project sponsor, he needs to act swiftly in resolving the issue.


• Global Perspective - The project sponsor is accountable for maintaining the big picture view point, and should have the pulse of the organization. Being able to quickly identify and proactively aid those resistant to the change.


• Change Agent - The project sponsor is accountable for assure the benefits of the solution are achieved, so they must enable the business to change. Assuring the solution is not only live but adopted and institutionalized by the organization


• Coach - The project sponsor needs to mentor and coach the project team. They have a true understanding of how the solution will benefit the institution, but at times there is a waning of support or disillusionment of the team. During these times, the sponsor needs to engage and enable the project team, perhaps by listening and offering advise or putting on the pompoms.

By having a frank and honest dialogue with the project sponsor, these responsibilities can be reviewed and elaborated. Having this discussion will help build an open relationship between the pm and sponsor - One of the most critical relationships in project management.

Further Reading:

• Ways to Improve Communication


• Communication Barriers


• Project Kill Switch and Project Management


• How to implement organizational change - We have our change team, now where do we find our quick win

0 Comments to “The Five Key Responsibilities of a Project Sponsor”

Please share your thoughts and suggestions