This session explores the criticality of the effective Sponsor for project and business success and highlights the skills, characteristics and knowledge a Sponsor needs to be effective. This was presented by Karin Maule, Senior Training Consultant from Wellingtone at FuturePMO, on the 26th of October. FuturePMO is a 1-day PMO event for practitioners at all levels. The conference brings extraordinary speakers from across industries to challenge your PMO and PPM thinking, helping you work smarter. The next one takes place on the 3rd of October 2024 in London. To learn more and book on to the next conference, visit www.FuturePMO.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/11120292 Twitter - https://twitter.com/FuturePMO Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/futurepmoevent/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHi8w5ACqsloXxBEA9t9pfA

2. We are a Project, Portfolio and Work
Management consulting and training
company with offices in Windsor (UK), Dublin
and Madrid.
We at Wellingtone enable our clients to make
a step change in their Project, Portfolio and
Work Management maturity. We achieve this
working with our clients as their trusted
partner.
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3. In 18 minutes
Effective
Sponsors
What Sponsors
need to be
effective
The importance of
the Sponsor
How Sponsors
create or destroy
value

4. Project success
The project itself is
successful
The business achieves
success from doing the
project
scope + quality
time cost
Benefits
(that drive strategic objectives)

5. Why projects fail
• Unclear success criteria or objectives, including benefits
• Trying to do too much/ too many projects/changes at once
• Unclear scope or lack of scope control (that leads to scopecreep)
• Ineffective team/ team members not taking responsibility
• Lack of understanding of the project environment
• Insufficient resources
• Poor understanding of user needs
• Poor estimating
• Lack of planning
• Inaccurate or manipulated reporting

6. The effectiveness of the project sponsor is the
best single predictor of project success or
failure
National Audit Office. Annual review of projects. 2015
“
”

7. Sponsors […] can create or destroy value for a business. They directly
link the corporate direction of the business and project objectives. They
determine the value of any business proposal translating these through
projects into business-as-usual activities. Being an advocate for the
project, they importantly communicate with stakeholders communities
with their ever-increasing demands and are accountable for the
business benefits delivered through projects. The are the “oil in the
business gearbox”
“
” Foreword. Sponsoring Change, Second Edition. The
Association for Project Management

8. Success/ failure points
Project Output
Business as Usual
Benefit Strategy
Business
Justification
1
2
4
5
Outcome
3

9. What does a Sponsor need to be
effective in their role?

10. Champion what is
best for the
organisation
Champion what is
best for the
programme/ project
The Sponsorship Sweet Spot

11. Business
justification
Project
Change
management
Benefits
realisation
Strategy
1. Their role, function and accountability
2. The steps in the chain: from business justification to strategic objectives
3. Business acumen
4. People and leadership skills
1. Knowledge and skills

12. 2. Supportive system

13. Capacity
An effective Sponsor is present and
active
Lack of capacity will limit
effectiveness.
Create an environment that enables
them to be effective:
1. Prioritise projects
2. Focus on what is important and
valuable
3. Stop/ pause everything else