SPONSOR BEHAVIORS

There are certain behaviors that sponsors display that can help teams perform effectively and thus improve project outcomes:

• Resource. Liaise with the organization to ensure the team has the necessary skill sets and the physical resources needed to deliver the project.
• Guide. Provide a motivating vision around which the team can rally.
• Align. Maintain alignment between the organization’s strategic goals and the project outcomes. If the market changes or the organization’s goals shift, work with the project team to pivot the direction of the project to meet the current needs.
• Tailor. Work alongside the team to tailor the structure, culture, processes, roles, and work to optimize outcomes.
• Influence. Enable the needed changes for adoption to the post-project operations. This includes leadership, engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders throughout the organization.
• Communicate. Provide an ongoing exchange of information from the organization to the team and from the team to the organization.
• Partner. Partner with the team in achieving success. This can include coaching, mentoring, and demonstrating a personal commitment to the project goal.
• Check. Engage with the team to stimulate critical thinking by asking questions, challenging assumptions, and fostering innovation.
• Unblock. Remove impediments and barriers and resolve issues that are outside the team’s authority or ability to address.