a. Critically analyse the role of the sponsor in a project organisation and his/her relationship with the project manager

b. Describe the rationale of the business case in project management and explain the relationship of both the sponsor and the project manager with the business case

c. Outline the key elements of a typical business case for the project statement below.

The headquarters of a national research institute has a staffing level of approximately 55 employees to serve employees across the UK at 10 different research facilities.. Historically, the business has operated as a decentralised organisation with information being received and distributed at numerous points throughout the company. This has led to islands of information with little or no information sharing. As a result, duplicate paper and electronic files are being maintained by staff in each of the locations. Consequently, staff are not able to consider the implications of prior communications while providing current services. Lack of information makes emerging issues difficult to spot, wastes staff resources on duplicate or inappropriate activities, and prevents them from learning from past lessons experienced nationally. The project aims to provide staff with remote and desktop access to up-to-date electronic indexed information via a new computer system housed at the headquarters.

This will allow:-

All staff to have access to the same information

Staff will be able to research quickly previous dealings with customers or similar projects and will be able to offer speedier solutions

Savings can be made not re-inventing the wheel