Project Manager Vs Project Sponsor
In any project, the roles of project manager and project sponsor are pivotal yet distinct, each contributing unique perspectives and responsibilities to ensure project success. While both play essential roles in guiding the project towards its objectives, they operate at different levels of authority and focus on distinct aspects of project management. The project manager is responsible for the day-to-day execution and delivery of the project, managing resources, risks, and stakeholder communication.
In this article, we are going to learn the difference between Project Management and Project Sponsor.
Who is the Project Manager?
Project Manager is used to handle the planning, organizing, and managing the completion of a project from its creation till its end. Along with it is also responsible for keeping the team up to date on the project’s progress handling issues and discussing solutions.
Role of Project Manager
Project managers play a variety of roles that are essential to the effective completion of projects within an organization. Here are some key aspects of their role:
- Initiation: Project managers often play a key role in initiating projects. They work with stakeholders to define project objectives, scope, and feasibility.
- Planning: Project managers develop detailed project plans outlining tasks, timelines, resource requirements, and dependencies. They also create risk management plans to anticipate and mitigate potential issues.
- Organizing: They assemble and lead project teams, assigning roles and responsibilities to team members based on their skills and expertise.
- Execution: Project managers oversee the day-to-day activities of the project, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and within budget. They monitor progress, resolve conflicts, and make adjustments as necessary.
Salary of Project Manager
The average salary for a project manager in India stands at ₹13.5 LPA , mostly ranging from ₹4.5 lakhs to ₹25.3 lakhs. The Average In-hand salary ranges from ₹92,378 to ₹1,10,100 per month. This role requires expertise in some specific domain. If you meet the criteria with your skills and relevant experience. then you’ll find numerous high-paying companies, such as Google, Vector Consulting, BCG, Galfar, and ThoughtWorks, offering salaries that could reach up to 1 crore rupees.
for more: Project Manager Salary In India 2024
Who is the Project Sponsor?
A project sponsor is a key individual within an organization who typically provides leadership, direction, and support for a project. The project sponsor is usually a senior-level executive or manager who has the authority and responsibility to champion the project, allocate resources, and ensure its success.
Role of Project Sponsor
Here are the Following Roles of Project Sponsor:
- Initiating the Project: There are initial elements that the sponsor comes in during, for instance, defining the goals, the scope, and expected outcomes of the project. They might also do this as well as approving the project and budgeting for it.
- Providing Strategic Direction: A sponsor is a person who provides the strategic role of guidance and an organization’s goals work, mission, and orientation in the strategic priorities.
- Securing Resources: The sponsor will advance the task of acquiring relevant resources such as funds, staff, equipment, or other required support for the project.
- Supporting the Project Team: The sponsor leads the way for the project team by rallying support, providing direction, and inspiring success with the defined objectives.
- Communicating with Stakeholders: This sponsor communicates with stakeholders such as the senior management, customers and clients among others who are concerned about the project to give them up-to-date information such as the progress and accomplishments.
- Monitoring Progress: The sponsor closely observes the work of the project and keeps a record of its progress and performance in every phase to make sure that it is by its objectives within the assigned period and budget.
Salary of Project Sponsor
The salary of the project sponsor is depending upon the nature of the project. For instance, the chief information officer could be the sponsor of an IT initiative. Their annual pay is $126,313 on average.
Difference Between Project Manager and Project Sponsor
Here’s a comparison of the roles of a project manager and a project sponsor in tabular form:
| Aspect | Project Manager | Project Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Responsibilities | Execution and delivery of the project | Providing strategic direction for the project |
| Team management and coordination | Securing necessary resources for the project | |
| Risk identification, assessment, and mitigation | Making key decisions related to the project | |
| Stakeholder communication and management | Strategic oversight and alignment with goals | |
| Scope management and change control | Advocating for the project within the organization | |
| Focus | Operational aspects of project execution | Strategic alignment and support for project goals |
| Decision Making | Tactical decisions related to project execution | Strategic decisions guiding project direction |
| Authority | Limited authority, managing within defined parameters | Authority to make key decisions and allocate resources |
| Risk Management | Tactical risk management at project level | Strategic risk oversight aligned with organizational goals |
| Advocacy | Represents the project team internally and externally | Champions the project within the organization. |
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Conclusion: Project Manager Vs Project Sponsor
In Conclusion, while the project manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and execution of the project, the project sponsor provides strategic direction, support, and advocacy to ensure the project’s success within the broader context of the organization’s goals.
Frequently Asked Questions on Project Manager and Project Sponsor – FAQs
Can PMO be project sponsor?
Yes, a Project Management Office (PMO) can sometimes act as a project sponsor by providing oversight, guidance, and resources to ensure project success, particularly in organizations where the PMO holds significant authority and strategic influence.
Who is typically a project sponsor?
Typically, a project sponsor is a senior executive or manager within the organization who has the authority to provide strategic direction, allocate resources, and champion the project’s success.
Can project manager and project sponsor be the same?
the project manager is like the team leader who handles the project’s daily operations, while the project sponsor is more like the project’s advocate or champion, ensuring it stays aligned with the organization’s goals and has the necessary support. They’re usually different people to maintain checks and balances.
Is PMO below project manager?
No, the Project Management Office (PMO) is not typically below the project manager; instead, it’s a centralized entity within an organization that provides support, guidance, and standardization for project management practices across multiple projects.
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