Managing change: most common mistakes made by sponsors

 

Download a printable version of this tutorial in PDF format.

 

1. Tutorial on "Creating your sponsor roadmap"
2. Register for a free webinar on "Developing your change management sponsor"
3. 2005 Change Management Best Practices Report with a complete "Sponsor Role" section - Report will be ready the third week in June.

The top three mistakes made by executive sponsors as cited by 2005 Change Management Best Practice Report participants were:

1. Executive sponsors failed to personally engage as the sponsor for the change:

• They abdicated sponsorship to lower level managers, the project team or consultants.
   
• They failed to communicate the need for change and risks of not changing.
   
• They were absent or ignored the project, failed to stay involved and track progress and were not visible after the initial kick off.
   
• They failed to reinforce a consistent message throughout the project.

2. Executive sponsors changed priorities mid-stream:

• Their commitment wavered or support dwindled.
   
• Other projects took priority.
   
• They moved on to the next "flavor of the month."

3. Executive sponsors did not build a sponsorship coalition:

• They assumed support from other business leaders would be there; they moved too fast without ensuring that key managers were on board.
   
• They underestimated resistance and the impact of the change on employees.
   
• They assumed the message trickled down; they assumed everyone understood the need for change.
   
• They failed to set expectations of other business leaders.
   
• They tolerated resistance from mid-level managers.

Participants also listed other mistakes that executive sponsors made during major change initiatives.

• They did not recognize the need for change management early in the project.
   
• They did not see change leadership as a skill gap among managers and business leaders.
   
• They failed to identify and manage change overload (too many changes all at one time causing employees to reach change saturation).
   
• They dictated the change with little or no communication.
   
• They rushed the change without adequate preparation and planning.
   
• They let the project move along without celebrating milestones; they failed to acknowledge efforts and express appreciation for efforts upon completion of the project.

Preparing your sponsor 

Below are three "how to" action steps for the change management team to follow when preparing the primary, executive sponsor.  These actions taken by the change management team will help the executive sponsor minimize their risk for mistakes:

1. Prepare a roadmap for your primary sponsor using the template provided in the tutorial on "Creating your sponsor roadmap" as your starting point.  The complete package of sponsor materials and resources is found in the Change Management Toolkit (hardcopy) or Change Management Pilot (online version).
    
2. Provide the primary sponsor with the completed plan.  Also provide the primary sponsor with sponsor checklists organized by the target audience and timing for the change.  The complete checklists are found in the Change Management Toolkit or Change Management Pilot.
    
3. Facilitate and assist the sponsor in completing activities in the sponsor roadmap and completing items on the checklist.  The change management team will be an ongoing aide to the primary sponsor to:

• provide support to the project team.
• develop management sponsorship with critical sponsors and the leadership team (sponsor assessment results done in Phase 1 are used to support this step, sponsor assessments can be found in the Change Management Toolkit or Change Management Pilot.)
• provide direction and create awareness with employees.

Summary

This tutorial provided most common mistakes made by executive sponsors.  It also provided three action steps for preparing your sponsor.  For more in depth information on executive sponsorship and their role in change management, register for the free webinar focused on "Developing your change management sponsor", check out the new 2005 Change Management Best Practice Report on its release date in June, and look into the resources provided in the Change Management Toolkit or Change Management Pilot.