Role of A Project Sponsor

A sponsor is the one who provides financial resources for the project. For the purpose of PMP exam, a sponsor could also be a customer, senior management, others. Management serves as a protector of the project.

Role of A Sponsor

The role of a sponsor prior to (or during) project initiation:

Advocates for or champions the project, especially while the project concept is being put together
Serves as a voice for the project or spokesperson to those who do not know about the project, including upper management
Gathers the appropriate support for the project
Ensures buy-in throughout the organization
Provides funding
Provides the project statement of work
Provides information regarding initial scope of the project
May dictate milestones, key events, or the project end date
Determines the priorities between the constraints
Provides information that helps develop the project charter
Gives the project manager authority as outlined in the project charter
Helps organize work into appropriate projects

The role of a sponsor during project planning:

Provides the project team with time to plan
May review the WBS
Supplies list of risks
Determines the reports needed by management to oversee the project
Provides expert judgment
Helps evaluate trade-offs during crashing, fast tracking, and reestimating
Approve the final project management plan

The role of a sponsor during project execution, monitoring and controlling:

Protects the project from outside influences and changes
Enforces quality policies
Provides expert judgment
Helps evaluate trade-offs during crashing, fast tracking, and reestimating
Resolves conflicts that extend beyond the project managers control
Approves or rejects changes or authorizes someone representing him or her to do so
May direct that a quality assurance review is performed
Clarifies scope questions
Works with the project manager to monitor progress