The role of the Project Champion is not formally recognized within organizations and its definition varies depending on the author, so it remains unclear and lends itself to confusion with the figures of the Project Manager and Project Sponsor. And as a consequence, the results of the studies that mention this role as a Key Success Factor (CEF), can be unreliable.
As a result of a long review of definitions and articles, the Project Champion could be defined as an informal figure, occupied by a person with an influential position within the organization in which the project is developed, who is in charge of defending it to achieve its acceptance by managers and other stakeholders, and thus achieve successful implementation. This person must be visible and recognized in the environment of greatest interest to the project. You must be a good communicator, passionate and committed to the project. It should be noted that there can be several Project Champions in the same project, as well as the same Project Champion can exercise this role in different projects.
When should we have a Project Champion on a project?
In general, in large projects it is favorable to assign a Project Champion in addition to a Project Manager and Project Sponsor, while in small projects the Project Manager can be designated as responsible for all the functions of the Champion. And in radical or complex projects it is suggested to assign several Project Champions that are throughout the life cycle of the project.
In organizations with weak functional and matrix structures, it is advisable to have a Project Champion for the projects, while in companies with strong or project-oriented matrix structures, the role of the Project Champion could be played by the Project Manager or the Project Sponsor.
Conclusion:
The Project Champion is mainly in charge of defending the project to achieve its acceptance by senior management and stakeholders, and communicates and maintains good relations with them.
The limits between the responsibilities of the Project Champion, Project Manager and Project Sponsor are defined by each company, and depend on the nature of the organization, the project and the environment. That is why, to separate the roles, each one should be redefined first and clarify that the Project Champion is not a role but rather a complementary function to the Project Sponsor or Manager.
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