Building Sponsorship for Key Organizational Initiatives
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 Larry
Fehd
Larry Fehd is president and founder of Human Performance
Strategies. Please see
bio for professional background and experience.
Contact Information
Phone: 512-415-0748
Email: lfehd@hp-strategies.com
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Building sponsorship with key stakeholders at all levels of the organization
is an essential part of implementing and sustaining key initiatives.Building
sponsorship increases the odds for success and reduces the odds of
failure. Despite good intentions, many best efforts often lead to
bad results. (Please see last month's article, Avoiding
Flavor-of-the-Month Syndrome.) The good news is that there are
several proven methods of building sponsorship that foster the implementation
process and help sustain long-term desired results.
Let's contrast some of the more common characteristics of failed
and successful initiatives.
Characteristics of failed initiatives
- Desired outcomes are not clearly defined and communicated to
key stakeholders and affected employees.
- Allotted time and other resources are insufficient to implement
and sustain the initiative for the long term.
- There is no linkage to key business drivers, and measurements
of success are vague or completely undefined.
- Those championing the initiative lack trust and credibility
within the organization.
- There is no clear and consistent communication process, and
the initiative gradually loses momentum.
- Unrealistic expectations or exaggerated outcomes create skepticism
among those affected by the initiative.
Characteristics of successful initiatives
- Desired outcomes are clearly defined and communicated, not
only to key stakeholders but to all employees who will be affected
by the initiative.
- Budget parameters are predetermined and expenses are closely
monitored and maintained within limits.
- Clear and compelling linkages to the business drivers are established
and agreed upon by all key stakeholders.
- Milestones are established, and progress is reported regularly
to key stakeholders and other sponsors.
- Champions are credible and trustworthy throughout all levels
of the organization.
- Communication systems are established, and there is clear and
consistent messaging at all levels of the organization.
- Desired outcomes are realistic and attainable. Successes as
well as setbacks are reported along with corrective action plans
to get the initiative back on course.
Investing the necessary time to identify and build sponsorship
is part of "Doing Things Right the First Time." It is
also a characteristic of experienced champions who have track records
of successfully implementing and sustaining important organizational
initiatives.
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