The results are pouring in, and the respondents to our latest Arras People/Survey Monkey poll have some varied and experienced opinions about the interaction between Project Managers and their sponsors. In general, opinions were varied, some strongly in favour of working with project sponsors, while others have indicated an element of trepidation in such dealings. Case in point to the middle-of-the-road status: It is exactly 50/50 on the matter of positive/negative opinions.
One project manager respondent weighed in on several positives in working with a sponsor, stating they enjoyed ‘Getting them to see early on, the need to apply a well defined and structured methodology to the management of the project/programme.’
According to another PM, they appreciated a sponsor’s ‘Collective involvement and minimizing risk of missed expectations.’
On the negative side, some managers showed a disdain for sponsors that tended to look over their shoulders. ‘Not very considerate of your personal time/deadlines,’ stated one PM.
Another claimed that their experience with a sponsor was straight out of playground – in a bad way. ‘Sponsors can bully through ignorance or not use their athority (sic) in the proper way,’ they said.
Generally, PMs do tend to think sponsors do not have a detrimental effect on project success.
‘If the relationship between both parties is properly managed, there shouldn’t be too many problems and if there are, well, I guess its simply the nature of the profession,’ said one respondent. But another PM warned that one side’s performance is predicated on the other side’s assistance, saying ‘good sponsorship facilitates project success.’
There’s still time to add your input. Click here to take the Arras People/Survey Monkey Project Sponsorship Survey.
