A guide to project sponsorship & gaining management buy-in

One of the most common reasons why projects fall short is a lack of executive sponsorship and management buy-in.

Project sponsors are under increasing effort to deliver better results, faster and with fewer resources. This means that an executive sponsors commitment is more important now than ever before.

What is a project sponsor and why are they so important?

The most important role of the sponsor is to be the project advocate. Effective sponsors must know how to communicate the project vision to anyone who could influence the outcome.

Effective sponsors provide clear direction on how the project scope aligns and connects to the organisational strategy. They must also act as a conduit to the project stakeholders, communicating on how the project outcomes will integrate into their overarching strategy and goals.? That means ensuring that everyone who may be potentially impacted by the project, knows what to expect.?

Another important part of the role is supporting and motivating the project team through the challenging times in the delivery cycle and celebrate the successes too.

Sponsors should have consistent interaction with the team members. Not only will that help them stay on top of project progress, but it will demonstrate to the team that the organisation is invested in the project.

Top tips for project sponsorship for gaining management buy-in:

• To ensure a cohesive partnership, the sponsor and project manager need to agree their roles and responsibilities from the start so that they can develop a productive and harmonious relationship.
• Being an effective sponsor requires striking a balance between involvement and having trust in the project team.
• The sponsor should cultivate a positive environment and consistently let stakeholders know what the project is and why it is important to the organisation.
• The sponsor should be an advocate for the benefits the project will deliver.

While it all makes sense and sounds pretty straightforward in theory, there are proven methods to establishing a sound approach to project sponsorship. Our team can help you to understand how effective sponsorship could change your project delivery success rates and set yourself up for success. So get proactive and get in touch!