Overview
Sponsorship means making key investment decisions and providing top-level endorsement of the rationale and objectives of a programme or project. It also means continuing senior level commitment and support for proposed change and championing the implementation of the new capabilities being delivered.
The Sponsoring Group should not be confused with the project-sponsor role used in construction projects which refers to the client-side project manager.
Normally associated with programmes, the Sponsoring Group are peers of the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and key stakeholders in proposed change. The sponsoring group can sometimes adopt the role of programme board.
Over the life of a programme, there can be uncertainty, and many long-standing procedures, reporting relationships and responsibilities may no longer apply. The sponsoring group must take the lead in establishing a style of leadership which helps the organisation through this change process.
Issues which need sponsoring group involvement may include:
- communication with and motivation of staff
- promotion of a team-working ethos
- empowerment at all levels in the organisation
- endorsement and encouragement of initiatives
- recognition of appropriate risk-taking
Responsibilities
The sponsoring group represents the senior managers responsible for:
- providing the programme mandate
- making the key investment decisions, as collectively the group can fulfil the Investment Decision Maker role.
- defining the direction of the business
- establishing the environment best suited to achieving programme objectives
- setting and demonstrating the behaviours necessary to support change
- providing the top-level commitment and involvement necessary to implement change
- endorsing, advising and supporting the SRO
- providing continued commitment to the SRO at programme milestones
- approving the progress of the programme against strategic objectives
- providing visible leadership and commitment to the programme at communication events
- confirming successful delivery and sign-off at the closure of the programme