Sponsorship process - Praxis Framework

The goals of this process are to:

provide ownership of the business case;
act as champion for the objectives of the project, programme or portfolio;
make go/no go decisions at relevant points in the life cycle;
address matters outside the scope of the manager’s authority;
oversee assurance;
give ad-hoc support the management team.

Indicators	Level 2 attributes	Sponsors at level 2 tend to be reactive. Although they perform the sponsorship role and process this is largely done in response to prompts from the management team. Sponsors at level 3 are more pro-active. They are involved in the work leading up to major decision points so that they are fully conversant with the information that will be formally assessed. They also make sure that the management team are aware of their requirements in terms of the level of detail and format of information provided. Level 3 sponsors are also active in developing members of the project management team, providing coaching and mentoring to promote the smooth running of the project or programme.
Description	Sponsors are appointed and are competent in sponsorship.
Review request for authorisation	Sponsors are presented with adequate information when authorisation is required and have sufficient resource to effectively assess that information.
Provide management support	Sponsors are available to the management team as and when required.
Confirm closure	Sponsors are requested to confirm closure and have adequate information on which to base the decision.
Review achievement of business case	Sponsors initiate and preside over a review of the business case at the appropriate time.

Indicators	Level 3 attributes
Description	Sponsors adhere to the centrally defined role and the sponsorship process as tailored to suit the context of the work.
Review request for authorisation	Sponsors are involved in the preparatory work leading up to a request for authorisation to ensure that the management team are clear about the sponsor’s requirements.
Provide management support	Sponsors take an active role in coaching and mentoring members of the management team.
Confirm closure	Sponsors are actively involved in preparing for closure.
Review achievement of business case	Sponsors maintain active involvement in the period between the closure of the project or programme and the point at which the business case is due to be reviewed.