Sponsorship, particularly from upper management, is critical to the success of a PMO. A PMO
without strong executive sponsorship often struggles to secure the resources, authority, and strategic
alignment necessary to be effective. Therefore, the lack of sponsorship is a well-recognized cause of
PMO failure.
Sponsorship Importance: Executive sponsorship provides the PMO with the necessary authority,
visibility, and resources. It also helps align the PMO’s goals with the organization’s strategic
objectives, ensuring that the PMO can deliver value.
Consequences of Poor Sponsorship: Without strong sponsorship, a PMO may lack the influence
needed to enforce governance, gain stakeholder buy-in, or secure adequate funding. This often leads
to a failure in meeting organizational expectations, resulting in the eventual dissolution or
restructuring of the PMO.
PMI Reference: The PMI’s Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3) and other
PMI resources highlight the importance of executive sponsorship for PMO success. It emphasizes that
sponsorship is a key driver of project success and sustainability.
PMI and PMO VALUE RING Reference:
PMI’s Standards emphasize the critical role of sponsorship in project and portfolio management,
noting that effective sponsorship ensures alignment with organizational goals, provides necessary
resources, and helps navigate political challenges within the organization.
The PMO VALUE RING also stresses the importance of stakeholder engagement and sponsorship as a
core component of a successful PMO, directly linking sponsorship to the PMO's ability to deliver
value.
