2.2. System governance sponsor

The system governance sponsor is responsible for maximising the value of system governance.

The sponsor represents system governance to the IT decision makers and other stakeholders. The sponsor obtains authority and resources for system governance, and is a champion for system governance.

The sponsor ensures that system governance follows objectives agreed by the IT decision makers. During initiation, the sponsor writes the terms of reference for system governance, and appoints the system governance committee to reflect these objectives. The sponsor has the final sign off of any system governance criteria, and the final say in the resolution of any disputes about criteria and assessments.

At each annual review, the sponsor presents the guidance from system governance back to the IT decision makers, and ensures that this gets appropriate visibility and advocacy. The sponsor obtains feedback from the IT decision makers, and makes sure that this is used to refocus system governance accordingly.

In many organisations, the sponsor is likely to be the IT director, chief information officer, or other senior IT manager. They are likely to be one of the IT decision makers.

In small organisations, especially those with an informal culture, it may be possible to combine the system governance sponsor role with parts of the system governance manager role.