1. Clearly Define the Role of the Sponsor

• Best Practice:

• Establish the sponsor's responsibilities from the outset, ensuring they understand their role in guiding, supporting, and overseeing the project.

• Why It Matters:

• Clarifies expectations and prevents role confusion between the sponsor, project manager, and other stakeholders.

2. Provide Strategic Direction

• Best Practice:

• Align the project objectives with the organization's strategic goals.

• Communicate the business value and desired outcomes of the project to the team.

• Why It Matters:

• Ensures the project delivers tangible benefits and remains focused on key priorities.

3. Act as a Champion for the Project

• Best Practice:

• Advocate for the project within the organization to secure resources, resolve conflicts, and gain buy-in from stakeholders.

• Serve as the voice of the project to senior leadership.

• Why It Matters:

• Builds organizational support and ensures the project receives the attention and resources needed to succeed.

4. Ensure Proper Resource Allocation

• Best Practice:

• Work with resource managers to ensure the project has access to the right people, tools, and budget.

• Address resource constraints proactively.

• Why It Matters:

• Prevents delays caused by insufficient staffing or funding and ensures high-quality execution.

5. Foster Collaboration Between Stakeholders

• Best Practice:

• Act as a mediator to align stakeholders with differing perspectives or priorities.

• Facilitate open communication between the project team, clients, and other key parties.

• Why It Matters:

• Reduces friction and ensures all parties work toward a common goal.

6. Monitor Project Progress Without Micromanaging

• Best Practice:

• Stay informed through regular status updates, key milestone reviews, and risk assessments.

• Empower the project manager to handle day-to-day operations while providing high-level oversight.

• Why It Matters:

• Balances accountability with trust, enabling the project manager to lead effectively while keeping the sponsor informed.

7. Support Risk Management

• Best Practice:

• Actively review risk logs and mitigation plans.

• Remove organizational barriers or escalate issues when needed.

• Why It Matters:

• Helps address risks that the project team cannot resolve independently, minimizing disruptions.

8. Make Timely Decisions

• Best Practice:

• Ensure availability to provide decisions on escalated issues or changes in scope, budget, or timeline.

• Be decisive when handling trade-offs or conflicting priorities.

• Why It Matters:

• Prevents delays caused by indecision and keeps the project moving forward.

9. Encourage a Customer-Centric Approach

• Best Practice:

• Ensure that the project team prioritizes the client's needs and expectations.

• Actively engage in discussions around deliverables and satisfaction metrics.

• Why It Matters:

• Builds trust and strengthens relationships with the client, contributing to long-term success.

10. Review and Approve Key Deliverables

• Best Practice:

• Participate in critical milestone reviews and sign-offs for major deliverables.

• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards and align with business objectives.

• Why It Matters:

• Maintains control over the project’s alignment with strategic goals and ensures the final output meets expectations.

11. Facilitate Change Management

• Best Practice:

• Support the team in managing scope changes by reviewing and approving change requests.

• Communicate the impact of changes to stakeholders and gain their buy-in.

• Why It Matters:

• Prevents scope creep and ensures alignment when adjustments are needed.

12. Promote Accountability and Recognition

• Best Practice:

• Hold team members accountable for their roles and responsibilities.

• Recognize and celebrate achievements and milestones with the team.

• Why It Matters:

• Maintains team motivation and ensures everyone stays committed to the project’s success.

13. Prepare for Post-Project Transition

• Best Practice:

• Ensure a clear plan for handoff to operations or the client after project completion.

• Oversee knowledge transfer and the resolution of outstanding issues.

• Why It Matters:

• Guarantees the sustainability of project outcomes and a smooth transition for stakeholders.

14. Solicit and Provide Feedback

• Best Practice:

• Regularly solicit feedback from the team, client, and stakeholders to gauge satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.

• Offer constructive feedback to the project manager and team members to enhance performance.

• Why It Matters:

• Encourages continuous improvement and builds trust through open communication.

15. Lead by Example

• Best Practice:

• Demonstrate commitment to the project through active engagement, clear communication, and consistent decision-making.

• Why It Matters:

• Sets a tone of accountability and professionalism that inspires the project team and stakeholders.

Benefits of Strong Project Sponsorship

1. Increased Success Rates:

• Projects with active sponsors are more likely to meet objectives, stay on schedule, and remain within budget.

2. Enhanced Communication:

• Clear sponsorship bridges gaps between leadership, project teams, and stakeholders.

3. Faster Issue Resolution:

• Sponsors can expedite decisions and resource allocation, keeping the project on track.

4. Improved Client Satisfaction:

• Strong sponsorship ensures that client expectations are met or exceeded.

5. Better Team Morale:

• Teams feel supported and motivated when sponsors actively contribute to the project’s success.

By following these best practices, sponsors can provide the leadership and support needed to navigate challenges and achieve the desired outcomes for professional services projects.