II Module (Sponsorship)

Role of Project Manager and Project Sponsors

A good sponsor will be clear about the project's objectives, have power (over resource expenditure) and be able to influence key decision makers to support or resource the project. They will be someone who has a sound understanding of the context in which the project or its product will operate.


The project manager and project sponsor must work closely together for the project to succeed. The sponsor will provide the scope, objectives, risk management, quality expectations and benefits realisation plans that the project manager will implement.

A project manager has to educate the sponsor on the nature of project work so that they can act in an informed way on your behalf within the organisation.

A good sponsor will work with the PM to create a contingency plan for getting the project back on track should executive support not be forthcoming or should the situation change and the resource requirement be increased.

The relationship that a project manager builds with the project's sponsor is the most critical relationship in any project.

Project sponsors need to be involved from the start to eventual hand-over . Throughout the life of a project, a sponsor will take on many different roles. In the beginning they will " sell" the project and its benefits to the organisation. Throughout the project the sponsor will support the pr oject manager and provide insights into the context and operation of the project to instill confidence.

During difficult times a sponsor will protect the project manager and team fr om political and other influences that threaten the smooth operation of the project. The sponsor will develop and nurture useful relationships inside and outside the organisation and assist to manage risk for the project.