The Role of the Project Sponsor, Coursework Example

The project sponsor is responsible for providing oversight for the project team, as there may be difficulties regarding cultural differences that must be addressed in a timely manner in order to accomplish the objectives of the team. The role of the project sponsor is important because it provides direction regarding cultural differences that could impact the team if they are not properly managed. However, this process also demonstrates the importance of developing new approaches to ensure that the project sponsor and the project team members are on the same page. If the project sponsor is not receptive to the team’s needs and does not appear to want to address the cultural differences within the team, then this relationship may become toxic and difficult to sustain without controversy.

It is expected that the project sponsor must be effective in providing team members with an opportunity to explore cultural differences to ease the burden to the team, particularly during the transition period. For a country such as Korea, where cultural norms are often very different from those in the United States, the project sponsor is critical to the team dynamic and must be supportive to the team as a whole. In addition, the language barrier poses a risk to the team and its ability to communicate effectively. Translation is essential and learning some of the basic words of the language is also critical to the team’s overall level of adjustment and success within the team environment. These factors support a greater understanding of how project teams sent to conduct business in other countries must experience a period of adjustment in order to improve their success rates. However, when the project sponsor is not effective in communicating with the team and subsequent conflict ensues, there is a higher risk to the team of developing an even larger conflict down the road that may impact team performance. Therefore, these concerns must be minimized as best as possible through the support and guidance of the project sponsor.

In this case, a proactive sponsor would have likely eased the burden of some aspects of the situation, and it would have likely been effective in providing a greater sense of discovery and insight regarding the circumstances. There are considerable needs associated with a project team’s integration into a new culture in foreign country, as these circumstances pose a threat to the long-term integrity of the team and its overall function. This transition period requires a proactive and involved project sponsor who will be effective in providing a high level of oversight with the team at all times. Furthermore, the project sponsor will provide information regarding the language and the type of culture that defines the host country. These factors are essential to the discovery of new techniques and strategies that will have a favorable impact on the team, rather than detract from its potential progress.

It is important with any project team in a foreign country to provide training and education that will be effective in supporting the team dynamic and its objectives while residing in the host country. Under these circumstances, any conflicts that arise within the team should be minimized as best as possible by using the talents and strengths of the project sponsor. This individual must possess significant knowledge of the organization and its operations, in addition to other knowledge that will ease the transition effectively throughout the project. It is important to identify these resources and to recognize the value of developing perspectives that will encourage greater communication and an effective understanding of the tools and resources that are required to facilitate effective team performance. All persons within the team, particularly those who are vulnerable to a new culture, such as women in this case, must be provided with greater attention and focus until they are fully adjusted to the new culture, the team dynamic, and their overall roles and responsibilities to the team as it moves forward in achieving its primary goals and objectives.

Project sponsorship also requires some degree of transition on the part of the sponsor, particularly when there are new challenges to consider with a group from an entirely different culture in a foreign country. This process, in and of itself, requires a staged effort by the project sponsor in order for the sponsor and the team to acclimate to each other effectively. This process supports the development of new strategies to ensure that a staggered or staged approach for the project sponsor is initiated. These factors support a continued wave of growth and change in order to accomplish mutual goals and objectives. At the same time, the organization requires a high degree of focus and understanding so that there are sufficient opportunities to achieve the desired results in a timely manner.

The first phase of the project should be the introduction of the sponsor to the team, which will enable them to identify who they are working with and how they communicate, based on first impressions. Once this stage is completed, an exploratory phase should be considered that will have an impact on the team dynamic and in the development of a new approach to manage the team and its people in a positive manner. Furthermore, the team and the sponsor must develop a rapport so that they are able to work together effectively as best as possible. It is also expected that the team and the sponsor will discuss cultural dos and don’ts so that the team is not surprised or blindsided by any of the cultural differences or experiences that they might encounter at any point during the project.

In the large majority of cases, micromanagement is not conductive to a productive work environment, as it often leads to much frustration and a lack of commitment and dedication to the team and to the project. Therefore, even in a foreign country where the culture is unfamiliar, it is necessary to refrain from high levels of micromanagement because this may shift the dynamic of the team in a negative manner that will ultimately impact performance. This is discouraging on many levels and contributes to a negative response that could harm the team’s strength and overall integrity. Under these conditions, it is important to identify the resources that are required to ensure that the team is in a favorable position that does not include significant micromanagement because of its potentially devastating impact on the team and its dynamic throughout the course of the project. Furthermore, team leadership must be effective and appropriate for the team on many levels, thereby creating an environment that is conducive to high levels of productivity, strength, cohesiveness, and progress.

In a global team environment where the stakes are high and the team dynamic is essential, it is important to develop an empowering stances regarding the team and its objectives. However, a small amount of empowerment goes a long way in providing the desired level of commitment and focus to the team. Too much empowerment may actually be distracting because the individuals from the other country are likely to feel uncomfortable in their surroundings during the adjustment period. Therefore, they must be provided with an environment that offers support and guidance without fully allowing the team to stand on its own until it is ready. For foreign team members, this level of discomfort may pose a risk to their productivity and wellbeing; therefore, empowerment must be focused on enabling team members to recognize their potential and to gain strength and comfort with the team without requiring them to be fully independent until they are ready. It is important to focus on the empowerment aspect of the team in a controlled manner that recognizes the issues that the team might face if they are forced into a situation with which they are truly uncomfortable and are unprepared to address the challenges of an environment in which they are not yet familiar. This is a recipe for disaster; therefore, great caution must be exercised with these individuals and in taking the steps that are required to ensure that the team is comfortable in its new surroundings.