The Magic of the Darkroom

 

Photography has been a passion of mine for over twenty years. I love shooting large-format sheet film and can still remember the first time I watched a print come to life in a tray of chemicals in the dark room.

In the days before you could get a digital preview of your images on the back of your camera, you had to trust that your skills and experience would produce a beautiful image—first viewed at the bottom of a tray in the darkroom. Most of the photography I do now is the result of a small digital camera I take everywhere with me. It has earned a permanent place in my computer bag, backpack, alongside me in the Jeep or in the saddlebag of my motorcycle. I don't go anywhere without it.

Although I don't pull out the large-format camera much anymore, I still recognize that creating a meaningful photograph is the culmination of a number of very important steps.

I think it's safe to say that most of us recognize that without the project team or the project leader, nothing gets done. However, I don't think we can ignore all the other players connected with the complete project management picture. In my opinion, the role of project stakeholders is also critical to project success.

There may be times when a project might not require a formal sponsor, however there are many times when a project without a sponsor is doomed to fail. That being said, simply having a sponsor isn't enough. Let me share a couple of sponsor-related steps that will help develop a beautiful project management picture:

1. The sponsor's role must be clearly defined: Don't assume that the project sponsor knows his or her role in the project. Most business people don't really understand the project management process (they just think they do). Make sure he or she knows exactly what's expected of him or her. It's never a good idea to make them guess about their role. They will appreciate the explanation and you will appreciate the results.
2. Watch to make sure your sponsor doesn't fall "out of the loop": If your sponsor doesn't have the political clout within the organization to help you push issues forward, he or she won't be able to add much value to the project. It's important to pay attention to how connected your sponsor is to the decision-makers in your organization. Remember, ineffective executives sometimes get the ax too. Don't let your project languish on the chopping block with them.

Sponsor relationships should add value to your project. If they don't, you may need to evaluate whether it's the way you interact with your sponsor, or whether you are following all the steps to make a beautiful picture.

What do you do to manage sponsor relationship? Have you ever had to work with a sponsor who was "out of the loop"?