08/12/2022
Many times, clients asked for our support in managing a project that was not delivering the expected results.
Our standard practice is to perform an assessment first to know what we are about to face.
Such root cause analysis often brings us to similar results and guess what – we are not the first to discover a repeating trend.
In the Prosci® nine benchmarking studies from 1998 to 2017, their research identified a project sponsor as the number 1 contributor to success.
Even though it seems evident that a successful project must be appropriately coordinated, follow a specific methodology and have a well-trained team that knows their roles – the sponsor’s contribution is often overlooked. The sponsor’s role seems no longer required once the project objectives are provided. Nothing could be more wrong.
Why’s that?
As long as this sounds unusual, it’s probably not due to the straightforward fact that a sponsor is already in a “future state.” The sponsor’s idea “became” a project, and a sponsor starts to operate like it’s going to happen this way or another “as it has a solid team, great PM, etc.”.
Well, that’s not always the case…
Employees look to senior leaders for messages (both spoken and unspoken) about the project’s importance and the organization’s commitment to the change. Without the sponsor’s active participation in a project, the team would often lose track of actions and, most importantly, faith in the ultimate project’s success.
Sponsorship is more than signing the check and “kicking the initiative out the door.” Although, that’s what is usually the outcome of our previously mentioned assessment.
Prosci® survey outcomes underline the need for active and visible sponsor participation throughout the project lifecycle and its underestimated impact on any project’s ultimate goal fulfillment.
It’s like building your new house: assuming you have a great construction crew, a well-structured budget, and a brilliant project, if you are not going to check the progress of the construction works, “be there when you needed” and hold the team accountable for results, chances are slim your house would look like you envisioned.
Whether you are a sponsor yourself or managing a project that is missing a sponsor’s involvement in its lifecycle, remember to look at that aspect when evaluating your project’s success rate.
If you have similar experience within your organization, let us know. We will find a way to get your project back on track! Contact us at www.birdeyeanalytics.com
