DG Company has made a significant investment in a project to develop a new client management IT system, which when implemented should help give the company a competitive edge. However, all is not well with the management of the project and B, the project sponsor, is particularly concerned about the progress.
There appear to have been a series of problems throughout the project which B feels she should have been alerted to. The result has been that the project manager she had appointed has now resigned, complaining that he was unclear on his role in the project, and that B was constantly interfering.
Distinguish between the roles of B as the project sponsor and R, the project manager.
B, as the project sponsor, is the person who will start the project and appoint the project manager. She will make the resources available for the project and would be accountable for approving the project plan. B will also expect to receive status reports as the project progresses to observe that key milestones have been reached. If any alters are made to the plan during the project lifecycle, then the project sponsor will require to be informed.
The project sponsor will primarily take the role of watching over the project, she will not get involved in the day to day operational aspects of project management. Though, she will provide support and senior management commitment to the project, acting when appropriate as a champion for the project. B will also be responsible for overseeing the financial aspects of the project, and may require to approve any capital expenditure if it is over a certain budget.