Managing organizational change is a complex and dynamic process that often disrupts routines and requires adaptation. While change in the workplace can be challenging, it usually leads to innovation and resilience, driving long-term business success and agility.
In data governance program management, understanding and effectively managing change is critical to the success of your initiatives. To ensure the most effective outcomes, identify a “change ambassador” who will champion data initiatives that may challenge the status quo and help support turning your conceptual plans into tangible change.
An executive sponsor typically serves as the lead change ambassador, promoting data governance best practices and securing the resources needed to implement them. Their advocacy for robust data governance frameworks ensures alignment with business goals, fosters a culture of compliance, and enhances data quality throughout the organization.
Understanding the Executive Sponsor Role for Data Programs
From a comprehensive perspective, I like how leading change management firm Prosci describes the role:
A primary sponsor is the leader who authorizes the change within an organization and is ultimately responsible for ensuring the change realizes its intended benefits. The level of sponsorship required depends on the risk level of the change. A high-risk initiative requires a senior executive or officer of the organization as a primary sponsor. Lower-risk initiatives might require a senior or mid-level manager.
To illustrate, let’s consider a recent client of First San Francisco Partners (FSFP) in the higher education sector, who served as a model for ideal sponsor selection. Drawing from insights and best practices gained from this client engagement, I aim to help you recognize and select an effective executive sponsor for your data management programs.
Executive sponsor selection criteria should factor in the direct benefit to initiatives and operations, the sponsor’s position in the organization, the control resources and the essential sponsorship skills, like organizational understanding and network building and leveraging.
How to Recognize and Choose an Executive Sponsor
Executives and senior leaders help drive change for any data program initiative. They give the change credibility, often authorize funding and resources, and may perform essential employee-facing activities. They also understand the strategic importance of data, advocate for its effective use, and ensure the necessary infrastructure and processes are in place.
People in the organization look to these individuals at the top to demonstrate why change is needed and perform other critical activities as only they can. For this reason, executive sponsor selection is vital to data transformation success.
Identifying the most suitable candidate incorporates four primary pillars:
- Direct benefit
- Organizational position
- Control resources
- Sponsorship skills
I expand on each of these below, but the main takeaway is this: Your data program needs someone at the executive level who has the authority and willingness to make decisions so you can get things done.
Executive sponsor selection answers the question of who can influence others to change.
Direct Benefit of Executive Sponsorship
In executive sponsorship, both the sponsor and the data program team gain immediate advantages from successfully implementing the program or initiative. To identify potential sponsors and their teams, start by asking who will benefit directly from the work. Consider how the program can accelerate initiatives to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Executive sponsor selection answers the question of who can influence others to change. Your sponsor should be enthusiastic and passionate about what they support. While this person may only have limited time to support the data program, they’re fully invested in seeing it succeed.
Organizational Position
In the context of executive sponsorship, “organizational position” refers to the sponsor’s hierarchical level role within the organization. An ideal sponsor understands organizational and business operations intricately. They should directly access key decision-makers, influence individuals at various hierarchical levels and command peers’ respect.
An ideal sponsor of a data initiative should also be equipped to enforce decisions and drive organizational change. A successful executive sponsor should also be able to develop strong relationships with stakeholders and anticipate and help proactively address challenges that may arise. They can also identify opportunities and make sound decisions that benefit the organization.
Control Resources
In any data program or initiative, having the necessary resources and the ability to control and allocate them effectively is crucial for success. This includes having the right people with the relevant skills and expertise and the budget and other resources needed to support their work.
Finding someone who can facilitate communication and decision-making within the team is elemental when seeking a sponsor. This person guides the team toward reaching a consensus and should be willing to make tough decisions when necessary to keep the project on track. The ability to lead the team to an agreement, effectively shift and allocate resources, and navigate through challenges is crucial for the overall success of any initiative.
The executive sponsor for your data program needs to have a deep understanding of your organizational dynamics and agility in navigating complex environments.
Sponsorship Skills
The ideal sponsor should have exceptional communication skills to effectively convey their thoughts and ideas. Strong leadership abilities are crucial for guiding and motivating others toward a common goal. Active listening is essential for understanding the needs and concerns of the individuals and groups involved. Also, strategic thinking and decision-making skills are necessary for identifying opportunities and making informed choices.
Additionally, the executive sponsor for your data program needs to have a deep understanding of your organizational dynamics and agility in navigating complex environments. And don’t forget the value of internal networking. Your sponsor should be adept at building and leveraging their networks to create mutually beneficial connections and opportunities on behalf of the data program.
Importance of a Data Governance Sponsor
Executive sponsorship is crucial for the success and sustainability of a data governance program and other data-centered initiatives. By advocating for a robust data governance framework, sound governance policies and promoting a data-driven culture, executive sponsors help ensure alignment with business goals and the necessary resources that fund governance.
Ultimately, an executive sponsor’s active involvement in data governance will drive business growth tied to data as a high-value business asset.
How Can FSFP Support Your Data Program?
At First San Francisco Partners, we understand that successful data implementations and initiatives rely on a solid data governance foundation supported by an engaged executive sponsor.
With more than 17 years of data-centered experience across a variety of industries, each of our consultants knows how to shape and activate business-driven solutions across the entire data lifecycle — from point of creation or acquisition to operational and advanced analytical usage to retention or destruction.
By addressing people, processes, architecture and technology, we help organizations make information actionable, enhance their data management and governance, leverage AI for insights and productivity, and optimize performance to lead their industries.
Do you need help identifying and training the supporting players, like your executive sponsor, in your next data program initiative? Let’s talk.
