Daniel StantonAuthor| Supply Chain Management For Dummies + LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com) coursesCharlotte, Nc, United States
An ongoing discussion with some of my colleagues, and would love to get input from the experts on this site. Looking for input based on your own personal experience with projects that you thought were successful...
1) What do you actually need to know / learn in order to be an effective project sponsor?
2) What is the best way for people to learn / acquire these skills?
1. The list is long, but thinking strategically, in depth understanding and owning the project's business case, and having a deep organizational awareness and the savvy to know how to use one's political influence to help the project succeed would be the first few which come to mind.
2. Companies which are at a higher organizational PM maturity level will have sponsor onboarding programs to help leaders who have never been in that role succeed. Along with the onboarding program, ongoing coaching from seasoned, battle-tested sponsors helps...
Kiron Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
First of all, which is the definition of project sponsor in your organization? According to the PMI is "An individual or a group that provides resources and support for the project, program, or portfolio, and is accountable for enabling success". If you agree with that, which do you need to achieve that? Do you have what you need at organizational level for being the project sponsor? That´s all you need to know. Saving Changes...
In my experience Sponsor are often ex-project managers. They understand the need of other PM. Those that never experience project management didn't perform for the projects.
What do they need to know? Do you have a Roles & responsibilities define? Saving Changes...
Eric IsomOwner| learn.pmguaranteed.comUt, United States
The project sponsors I have worked with have had little or no project management experience. I have found it simple and effective to provide them with a list of roles and responsibilities (PRINCE2 provides a good list), and discuss the list with them and how it applies to the project. I have also included lists of roles and responsibilities of the project manager, project assurance, PMO, etc. for context. Saving Changes...
Daniel StantonAuthor| Supply Chain Management For Dummies + LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com) coursesCharlotte, Nc, United States
Thanks, all, for the responses.
I'm often amazed that executives are able to rise through the ranks with so little exposure to the discipline of project management, and the role of a project leader.
It seems to me that this should be part of the education that executives receive. Especially in MBA programs! Saving Changes...
RAJESH K LProject Manager, PMP| Bharat Electronics, Bengaluru, IndiaBengaluru, Karnataka, India
Project Sponsors are integral to and play a vital role in the success of Project. Normally they are experienced guys. Any course with impetus on enhancing their administrative skills with special emphasis on latest technologies, project management skills would be of great help Saving Changes...
