Question

You are the project manager. Upon presenting your charter to your sponsor, she requests several changes. What do you do?

a. Agree to all the changes in order to make your sponsor happy.
b. Refuse to change the charter, since that would be unfair to your team.
c. Have your team vote on whether or not to make the changes and go with the will of the majority.
d. Negotiate with your sponsor to see how you can best accommodate her requests without agreeing to unreasonable expectations.

Answer 1

Negotiating with the sponsor is the professional approach to handling requested changes to a project charter. It involves being flexible, seeking feedback, and working towards a feasible solution that aligns with the project's goals and sponsor's interests. Maintaining open communication and staying accountable are key in navigating this process.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a project sponsor requests changes to a project charter, the most professional approach is to negotiate the changes. As a project manager, it is important to remain willing to go above and beyond when possible and be flexible in the face of changing priorities and assignments. Consider the organization's mission and the impact of the requested changes. It's essential to respond professionally to feedback, as opposed to defensively, which means politely discussing the feasibility and implications of the changes proposed by the sponsor.

While respecting the sponsor's authority, try to solve problems independently before reaching out for support. This involves evaluating the requested changes to see if they align with the goals of the project, and if not, attempting to find a feasible solution that satisfies the sponsor's needs while maintaining the project's integrity. Solicit feedback and ideas from your team and participate actively in this negotiation process. When you encounter problems or disagreements with the sponsor, remain respectful and seek out ways to contribute to the areas that are a priority for them, while also safeguarding the project's outcomes and your team's workload.

If changes are agreed upon, update the charter accordingly, and communicate these changes to your team while keeping a record of the revisions and the rationales behind them. Throughout this process, it is important to stay accountable and own up to any mistakes or errors in judgment that may occur. Lastly, minimize the need for supervision by proactively providing updates to your sponsor about progress and any further issues that may arise during the project's lifespan.