No! he is not part of the project team but he is the owner of the project. Till the time he passes the buck on to the project manager, he is within the project, later it is all MBE (Management By Exception), because he may have many other executive responsibilities to perform in addition to being the Project Sponsor. Saving Changes...
Larry MinerFounder and Sr. Project Management of Decision Memory Systems| Decision Memory SystemsBath, Oh, United States
First, it depends on who the sponsor is and their own willingness to participate. Generally speaking, they are not part of the team but at the same time I had a General Counsel of a $22 billion company that made herself part of the team and it work out well. She brought value to the project. I'd suggest asking the sponsor how/if they wish to participate or be reported to. They'll let you know. Saving Changes...
The sponsor is no a full time part of the project team because maybe it has other responsibilities, but it champions the project at the highest level in the company. She / He should have the clout to communicate effectively with the CEO and key stakeholders, provide necessary resources, and approve or reject outcomes.
It’s also important that she/ he have “skin in the game”—in other words, accountability for the project’s performance at the end of the day. Saving Changes...
Big time, yes he is.
The sponsor of the project can make it or break it for the whole project. I have really bad experience in Oman and it was a tough lesson. Saving Changes...
In my projects the sponsor is part of the project team, whether it's a direct or indirect role. The sponsor potentially has more to lose than anyone else, including the PM, especially when the sponsor is also the end customer. If the sponsor can influence budget, changes to scope, and even the project charter, such power within the project makes them part of the project team by default. Saving Changes...
it depends on how you define the scope of the team. If you mean the folks who are delivering the scope of the project, then no, but if you mean the broader project ecosystem including all committed stakeholders, then yes.
Without the sponsor there might be no project! So...They are definitely a part of the holistic team. Depending on the sponsor's personality, interest, work load and desire that might be a passive or an active role in the day to day running of the project. I have had sponsors who just sign the cheque and others who are involved every step of the way. I have even had the very same sponsor on different projects and have totally different involvement levels. Saving Changes...
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