Specific information varies from source to source, but indications are that nearly three quarters of all change efforts fail. There are a variety of contributing factors (overt and covert resistance, power, politics, culture, and insufficient resources), but at the center of them all is ineffective sponsorship. Effective sponsorship is one of the key make or break points for effective change.
The overall purpose of sponsorship is to provide leadership that demonstrates commitment to change across all phases of the change effort. Sponsorship is:
- Aligning project objectives with business strategy
- Communicating vision and priorities
- Mobilizing resources
- Resolving issues
Effective sponsorship is not the responsibility of a single person; it is the responsibility of a network. The sponsorship network includes people from different functions and levels who help the organization understand, prepare for, and transition through the change.