The workflow from the project sponsor’s perspective

The project workflow seen from the project sponsor’s perspective serves as a guide rail throughout the project.

The project sponsor specifies the business rationale (benefit in relation to expected resource consumption and risk) for the project in the Business case.

The Project charter describes the project arena and defines the objectives, exclusions, limits and conditions. It serves as confirmation that the project manager and the project sponsor are in agreement and gives a mandate to the project leader.

Once delivery is made, the sponsor has the responsibility of following up against the business objectives. After a suitable time period, the degree to which the business objective were achieved will be documented in the Business objectives evaluation.

Gates (G1 – G5) are future-oriented decision points where the business rationale of the project is tested. This is when the decision is made whether or not the next phase should be started. A gate lets the project sponsor review, analyze and test the project.

 

Gate decisions

The gates allow the project sponsor to reconsider, review and evaluate the project.

Important issues to consider at each gate include:

  • The business benefit to the organization and benefit to the stakeholders.
  • An assessment of the benefit in relation to the project’s total requirement for resources and competence.
  • Business and project risks.
  • The project’s status and proposed focus for the next phase.
  • Available resources for the continued work.

The purpose of each gate decision:

G1   Further develop a concept and start a prestudy?

G2   Initiate the start phase?

G3   Initiate the realization phase?

G3b Carry on with the realization phase? (as needed)

G4   Utilize the project’s results and start the closure phase?

G5   Approve the results of the closure phase and close the project?

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