Project sponsor Vs Project Stakeholder
Parameters |
Project sponsor |
|
---|---|---|
Responsibility |
The role of the sponsor is generally held by a senior position within the organization and is responsible directly for the management of the program. They render tactical insights, secure resources, and thus take up important decisions. |
Stakeholders imply individuals or entities that have involvement or interests with the project, or that are somehow impacted by its results. The sponsors usually involve the members of the project in taking responsibility, imparting knowledge, or giving support but they are not fully accountable like the sponsors. |
Authority and Decision-making |
The sponsor will be the one who will be in a better position to make a final and concrete decision about the project by deciding on the changes, conflict resolution and allocation. |
The role of an authority is to make a decision, stakeholders may incorporate their ideas into the decision but they lack the decision-making authority of the sponsor. |
Financial Investment |
The sponsor is usually the one who provides financial assistance and allocation of funds to the undertaking of the project, and he or she will be responsible for ensuring that the organization will derive value from the project. |
Stakeholders may supply financial support for the project or be affected financially by its outcomes, but the primary sponsor of this project is not them. |
Accountability |
The sponsor thus holds the ultimate authority for the thrive or die of the project. They are at the same level of responsibility for ensuring the project is achieving its goals, complies with budgetary considerations, and delivers intended benefits to the affected parties. |
For the project, the stakeholders only have a role of accountability towards their specific areas and inputs, but they do not have a specific accountability of outcomes control. |
Involvement |
The sponsor participates in the project from the very start of the project implementation to the very end, once it is completed. They offer continuous advisory functions, mentorship, and command. |
Stakeholders’ involvement may differ in degree of engagement and level based on their interests, level of expertise, and role in this project. |
Risk |
The sponsor holds the last word in the scratchwork analysis and must make sure that the final results will contribute to organisational targets. Majorly, they are tasked with the role of risk reduction and solving problems as they occur. |
Stakeholders may be placed at risk because of the project, but their involvement in managing or reducing those risks may not be as significant as the overall project management. |
Communication |
The sponsor ties management with stakeholders, directors, and other concerned parties for updates on project development, targets, and accomplishments. |
The stakeholders may be in the position to request status updates and reports of the project but are not the ones tasked with communicating the project completion level to the other stakeholders. |
Long-term Engagement |
Engagement of a sponsor may begin from the beginning of the project, through its elapse, and even long after the benefits of a project have been realized and are being sustained. |
The commitment degree of the participants depends on their aims and their role in this project, and they may drift away after the project is dropped. |
What Is a Project Sponsor? Roles & Responsibilities
A project sponsor plays a pivotal role in the success of any project, serving as its champion and advocate throughout its lifecycle. This individual or group provides the necessary resources, support, and guidance to ensure that the project aligns with organizational goals and objectives. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a project sponsor is essential for effective project management and delivery.
Table of Content
- What Is a Project Sponsor?
- Responsibilities of a project sponsor
- Project sponsor vs. project stakeholder
- Project sponsor vs. project manager
- Project sponsor vs project owner
- Tips for working with a project sponsor
- Conclusion: Project Sponsor
- FAQs: Project Sponsor