Project Bosses

 

Pointwise Summary with Examples

1. Project Bosses Overview:

• In most projects, you are not the ultimate authority; there are higher-level stakeholders or "bosses" involved.
• These individuals influence or directly control project decisions, funding, and deliverables.

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2. Project Sponsor:

• Definition:

  • The project sponsor (or project champion) is typically the primary authority for traditional projects.
  • Sponsors are responsible for funding the project and making key decisions.

• Role:

  • Approves or denies project changes.
  • Evaluates whether to accept or reject deliverables.

• Internal vs. External Sponsors:

  • Internal sponsors: Leaders within your organization pushing the project forward.
  • External sponsors: Clients or external entities funding and directing the project.

• Examples:

  • Accounting Department Head: Requests a software upgrade and makes decisions on features.
  • CEO: Commissions the development of a new product and approves funding.

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3. Program Manager:

• Definition:

  • A program manager oversees multiple related projects within a larger program.

• Role:

  • Manages project managers working under the program.
  • Resolves conflicts between projects (e.g., resource allocation).
  • Makes decisions impacting the program's overall goals and outcomes.

• Reporting Structure:

  • Project managers report to the program manager.
  • Program managers ensure projects align with the program’s broader objectives.

• Example:

  • A program manager oversees projects for launching multiple features of a new software platform, ensuring timelines and resources are aligned across projects.

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4. Agile Context:

• In Agile, the product owner plays a role somewhat similar to the sponsor but is not a direct boss.
• The product owner focuses on managing the product backlog and priorities rather than funding or making overall project decisions.

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5. Key Responsibilities of a Sponsor:

• Decides on project scope changes: "Do we allow this change or deny it?"
• Allocates budgets and approves funding.
• Determines which deliverables to accept or reject.

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6. Hierarchy in Project Management:

• In most cases, a project manager reports to a sponsor or program manager, not directly to top-level executives like the CEO.
• Example:
  • A project manager delivering a software module reports to the program manager handling the broader product launch.

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7. Customer-Centric Goal:

• The ultimate focus of project management is delivering results effectively to keep stakeholders and customers satisfied.

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Final Note:

In project management, recognizing the role of sponsors and program managers is crucial. They drive decision-making, provide funding, and ensure alignment with broader organizational goals. Understanding this hierarchy ensures better communication and smoother project execution.