Comments on: Helpful Advice for Managing Project Sponsors http://www.pmhut.com/helpful-advice-for-managing-project-sponsors Wed, 23 May 2012 09:13:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Michael Stanleigh http://www.pmhut.com/helpful-advice-for-managing-project-sponsors/comment-page-1#comment-16389 Michael Stanleigh Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:17:30 +0000 http://www.pmhut.com/?p=4401#comment-16389 Dear Yemy, I know that this is a very difficult situation, especially since this is your first project. However, don’t despair. It is very common though I know it is very unsettling. When a Sponsor cuts project funding they usually are unaware of the impact this budget reduction will have on the project. Rather, they believe the project manager will figure it out. We all know this isn’t as easy as it seems. The most important first thing for you to do is some research. Identify the impact this 30% funding cut will have on your project? For example: • Will it make it impossible for you to complete the project on time? • Will you have to reduce the number of resources working on the project? How will this impact the project? • Will it reduce the likelihood that you will be able to meet your customer and other stakeholder requirements? If so, how will it impact them? The second thing for you to do is to develop possible solutions. For example: • You can extend the end of the project since you will have fewer resources. • You can change what you are able to provide to the customers and other stakeholders to meet their requirements. Or, you can deliver some of their requirements through Stage 1 of this project and defer other requirements to a Stage 2 of this project. • You can reduce the number of project deliverables you are able to complete as identified in your project Scope Statement. I’m certain there will be more areas of impact on the project that you can identify. As well, there will be more possible solutions. The next stage is to complete a Change Request. It is important that you document the impacts that this 30% cost reduction will have on the project and follow each impact with a recommended solution. Your goal is to educate your Sponsor. You want them to understand that you can manage with a 30% cost reduction but you need them to understand the impact that this will have on the project and what you recommend as possible solutions to continue to successfully manage this project. In most cases, the Sponsor suddenly becomes aware of the true impact of this significant change and gives more consideration to your suggested alternatives. They will appreciate your concern for keeping the project on track. Please keep me updated on your sponsor relationship and do let me know if you need any more help managing them. Doctor Project Dear Yemy,
I know that this is a very difficult situation, especially since this is your first project. However, don’t despair. It is very common though I know it is very unsettling. When a Sponsor cuts project funding they usually are unaware of the impact this budget reduction will have on the project. Rather, they believe the project manager will figure it out. We all know this isn’t as easy as it seems.

The most important first thing for you to do is some research. Identify the impact this 30% funding cut will have on your project? For example:
• Will it make it impossible for you to complete the project on time?
• Will you have to reduce the number of resources working on the project? How will this impact the project?
• Will it reduce the likelihood that you will be able to meet your customer and other stakeholder requirements? If so, how will it impact them?

The second thing for you to do is to develop possible solutions. For example:
• You can extend the end of the project since you will have fewer resources.
• You can change what you are able to provide to the customers and other stakeholders to meet their requirements. Or, you can deliver some of their requirements through Stage 1 of this project and defer other requirements to a Stage 2 of this project.
• You can reduce the number of project deliverables you are able to complete as identified in your project Scope Statement.

I’m certain there will be more areas of impact on the project that you can identify. As well, there will be more possible solutions. The next stage is to complete a Change Request. It is important that you document the impacts that this 30% cost reduction will have on the project and follow each impact with a recommended solution.

Your goal is to educate your Sponsor. You want them to understand that you can manage with a 30% cost reduction but you need them to understand the impact that this will have on the project and what you recommend as possible solutions to continue to successfully manage this project. In most cases, the Sponsor suddenly becomes aware of the true impact of this significant change and gives more consideration to your suggested alternatives. They will appreciate your concern for keeping the project on track.

Please keep me updated on your sponsor relationship and do let me know if you need any more help managing them.
Doctor Project

]]> By: yemy http://www.pmhut.com/helpful-advice-for-managing-project-sponsors/comment-page-1#comment-14537 yemy Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:39:51 +0000 http://www.pmhut.com/?p=4401#comment-14537 Hello Project Coach, I need advise from you My project sponsor just cut 30% of the funds and am really confused and short of ideals at the moment What is the best practice and how am I to resolve this issue? This my first project with this sponsors and I don’t want to loss face, truth or the project in any way Thanks for your time Hello Project Coach,

I need advise from you

My project sponsor just cut 30% of the funds and am really confused and short of ideals at the moment

What is the best practice and how am I to resolve this issue?

This my first project with this sponsors and I don’t want to loss face, truth or the project in any way

Thanks for your time

]]> By: Michel Operto http://www.pmhut.com/helpful-advice-for-managing-project-sponsors/comment-page-1#comment-13602 Michel Operto Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:08:50 +0000 http://www.pmhut.com/?p=4401#comment-13602 I greatly appreciated the style as much as the contents. Thank you for this post Michel. For French readers, here is an approximate translation: http://dantotsupm.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/conseils-utiles-pour-manager-le-sponsor-de-projet/ I greatly appreciated the style as much as the contents. Thank you for this post Michel.

For French readers, here is an approximate translation: http://dantotsupm.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/conseils-utiles-pour-manager-le-sponsor-de-projet/

]]> By: Anatoly I. Tatarco http://www.pmhut.com/helpful-advice-for-managing-project-sponsors/comment-page-1#comment-13594 Anatoly I. Tatarco Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:54:44 +0000 http://www.pmhut.com/?p=4401#comment-13594 Your patience is most beautiful. Your patience is most beautiful.

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