Sponsor/Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) Masterclass
Senior sponsors engaged in making change happen in the business
Projects are successful when they deliver business benefits. Project managers tend to focus their effort and attention on delivering ‘things’ such as buildings, processes or new systems. To convert these project deliverables into project benefits requires an effective partnership between the project manager, the sponsor and other stakeholders. The purpose of the masterclass is to explore and clarify the role of a sponsor: the key responsibilities, the appropriate attitudes and successful behaviours – how to get the best out of project managers.
The sponsor masterclass is delivered through a mixture of seminar approach facilitated discussions and interactive sessions in which the group acts as a steering group, directing and shaping the progress of a project. Wherever possible using examples from their own situation, the participants are put into scenarios which allow them to ‘try out’ solutions and then review how successful that approach would be.
It is supported by a sponsors’ guide. This interactive handbook acts as an aide memoire and allows participants in the masterclass to access a wealth of additional material and resources related to sponsorship online.
Your learning environment
Our residential Sponsor SRO briefing at Kents Hill is designed to give senior leaders the space and conditions they rarely get in the day-to-day—time to step back, reflect, and engage deeply with the realities of effective sponsorship. Set within a dedicated learning environment, the two‑day format enables full immersion in the subject, free from the usual operational pressures.
Beyond the formal sessions, a key benefit of the residential experience is the opportunity to continue the conversation into the evening. Informal interactions with both the tutor and fellow senior practitioners create a high‑trust environment where real experiences, challenges and insights can be explored in greater depth. These discussions often unlock more candid perspectives and practical learning than would be possible in a traditional classroom setting.
By combining focused daytime learning with meaningful evening engagement, the programme allows participants not only to deepen their understanding of the Sponsor and SRO role, but also to build valuable connections, test thinking, and translate insights into actionable leadership practice.
Your pathway to success
Purchase online
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Virtual learning
Delivered in a dynamic and interactive virtual classroom setting with peers adding to learning experience
Discussions
Peer-based discussions based on real-world challenges and experiences make the learning relevant
Handbook
Sponsors handbook allows the learning to continue after the virtual classroom, with a helpful guidebook
Course overview
Sponsors are responsible for ensuring that factors critical to the ultimate success of the project; alignment with business strategy, effective implementation of the outputs from the project and their adoption by the business, and the achievement of benefit, are managed appropriately. Some of these factors are under the control of the project manager, others are dependent upon the behaviours of other business managers. The masterclass provides techniques for the sponsor to discharge their responsibilities on how to determine the critical success factors, diagnosing projects in trouble, and establishing effective governance over a project – setting up steering groups that really do steer projects.
- the sponsor’s role, accountabilities and responsibilities
- selecting the right projects
- benefits and the business case – realising benefits
- establishing and managing appropriate governance
- stakeholders and building the coalition
- monitoring and control from the sponsor’s perspective.
The masterclass is a residential course and takes place over two days and has a maximum capacity of twelve participants.
Pricing and options
We accept all major Credit and debit cards using eWallets including American Express using Stripe, or please select the option Invoice company under the credit card options at the checkout to generate an invoice to be paid directly by your company using BACS or SWIFT. All payments are processed securely with encryption, and we do not keep records of your card details in line with our commitment to our Cyber Essentials accreditation.
Kents Hill, Milton Keynes
Wednesday 1st July - Thursday 2nd July-
Tutor-led 2-day residential course
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Discussion-based masterclass
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Sponsors handbook
£2,450 (inclusive of VAT), covering accommodation, refreshments, and dinner. Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
