HKSM

An individual or group that supplies funding and organizational backing to a project, program, or portfolio and is ultimately accountable for making its success possible.

Key Points

• Champions the initiative and aligns it with organizational strategy.
• Secures funding and ensures critical resources are available.
• Approves major milestones (e.g., business case, charter, phase gates) and makes high-level decisions.
• Removes organizational roadblocks and provides executive escalation and support.

Example

The CFO sponsors a regulatory compliance project: approves the business case and budget, assigns subject-matter experts, resolves cross-department conflicts, and signs off at key phase gates to keep the project on track.

PMP Example Question

Which role is primarily responsible for obtaining funding, approving the project charter, and clearing executive-level obstacles for the project?

1. Project manager
2. Sponsor
3. PMO director
4. Functional manager

Correct Answer: B — Sponsor

Explanation: The sponsor secures funding, authorizes the charter, and removes high-level impediments to enable project success.