Great Projects Need Great Sponsors
This leadership course was designed specifically for busy leaders who perform the Sponsor role on projects and work with a project manager who is responsible for day-to- day planning and oversight. Content and topics are aligned with our Practical Project Management (PPM) Certificate Course curriculum to be completed by your project managers.
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Fundamental project management concepts are covered to ensure that everyone begins speaking the same language. Sponsors learn how to be successful in their often very visible and always critical role in “Projectland” while learning what to expect from everyone else. When everyone feels confident in their roles, projects can be career game-changers and amazing morale boosters. On the other hand, when Projectland feels like chaos, projects can fail, leaders can be fired and talented team members can decide to jump ship.
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Even experienced project leaders will benefit as practical and proven techniques are woven throughout the sessions. This highly informative and interactive workshop is designed to give participants a solid foundation in the concepts, tools and techniques of formal executive project leadership along with practical techniques that work in the real world. Participants not only acquire technique-based proficiencies but also explore essential people skills and teamwork. The concepts and methods learned are immediately usable in the workplace, leading to a greater retention of newly acquired skills, measurable project improvements, and the achievement of desired project results.
Who It's For
This program is designed for:
Executives and senior leaders who sponsor important projects
Leaders who make key project decisions but are not responsible for day-to-day project management
Department heads and functional leaders who oversee projects led by Project Managers
New or experienced Sponsors who want to strengthen how they lead projects
Organizations that want Sponsors and Project Managers to work together with clearer roles, expectations, and decision-making authority
It is especially valuable for organizations where Sponsors are highly experienced leaders but have never received formal, practical training in how to perform the Sponsor role.
When Sponsors Are Not Prepared for the Role
Project Sponsors have tremendous influence over project success, yet many leaders are asked to sponsor important projects without ever being taught how to perform the role well.
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Sponsors who are not prepared for the role can unintentionally create delays, conflicting priorities, unnecessary rework, scope problems, decision bottlenecks, and confusion about who is leading what. Project Managers and team members pay the price when they have to redo work, wait for decisions, recover from last-minute changes, or navigate competing direction from the Sponsor and Project Manager.
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The consequences can extend beyond the project itself. Great Sponsors build trust, strengthen their leadership reputation, and become leaders talented Project Managers and team members want to work with again. Poor Sponsorship can damage credibility, frustrate strong performers, and create a reputation that makes people hope they are not assigned to that Sponsor’s next project.
This program helps Sponsors understand how to lead effectively without taking over, where their involvement matters most, and how to create the clarity and support their Project Managers and teams need to succeed.
Participants will learn how to:
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Understand what effective Sponsorship looks like throughout the project lifecycle
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Make timely, informed decisions without creating unnecessary disruption or rework
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Provide direction and support without micromanaging or undermining the Project Manager
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Recognize behaviors that can unintentionally create confusion, delay, scope problems, or team frustration
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Clarify roles, expectations, and decision-making authority
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Ask better questions and know when to step in, when to step back, and when to escalate
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Apply the tools and techniques directly to current projects
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Build the confidence and judgment to become the kind of Sponsor strong Project Managers and teams want to work with again
Why This Program Works
Designed specifically for the Sponsor role
Practical, real-world application rather than theory
Uses active projects and scenarios to build judgment
Creates shared language and expectations between Sponsors and Project Managers
Helps reduce leadership-created confusion, rework, delays, and decision bottlenecks
Strengthens Sponsor confidence without turning executives into Project Managers