Service Management: The Importance of Early Sponsor Engagement

Service Management Specialists Blog Posts

IT Service Management (ITSM) initiatives can be complex and challenging, but they are essential for delivering effective and efficient IT services to the business. One of the keys to ITSM success is getting your sponsors on board early in the process. Your sponsors can provide the support, resources, and buy-in needed to make your ITSM initiative a success.

In this blog post, we will explore why getting your sponsors on board early is critical to ITSM success and provide some tips on how to do so effectively.

Why are sponsors important?

Sponsors are individuals or groups within your organization who have the power and influence to support or block your ITSM initiative. They may include senior executives, business leaders, or other key stakeholders. Sponsors are important for several reasons:

  1. They provide funding and resources: Sponsors can provide the funding and resources needed to support your ITSM initiative. This can include budget, staff, and other resources.

  2. They provide buy-in and support: Sponsors can provide the buy-in and support needed to ensure that your ITSM initiative is successful. They can help to communicate the benefits of ITSM to other stakeholders and encourage them to support the initiative.

  3. They provide visibility and accountability: Sponsors can provide visibility into the progress of your ITSM initiative and hold you and your team accountable for delivering results.

How to get your sponsors on board early:

  1. Identify your sponsors: Identify the key stakeholders who have the power and influence to support or block your ITSM initiative. This may include senior executives, business leaders, and other key stakeholders.

  2. Develop a compelling business case: Develop a business case that outlines the benefits of ITSM and how it aligns with the goals and objectives of the organization. The business case should clearly articulate the value proposition of ITSM and how it will help the organization achieve its strategic goals.

  3. Engage your sponsors: Engage your sponsors early in the process and provide regular updates on the progress of your ITSM initiative. Keep them informed of any challenges or roadblocks and provide them with solutions and options for addressing these issues.

  4. Communicate the benefits of ITSM: Communicate the benefits of ITSM to your sponsors and other stakeholders. This can include increased efficiency, improved service quality, and reduced costs.

  5. Get their commitment: Get your sponsors to commit to supporting your ITSM initiative. This may include providing funding, resources, and other support.

  6. Build a strong relationship: Build a strong relationship with your sponsors based on trust and mutual respect. Keep them informed of progress and seek their input and advice on key decisions.

Getting your sponsors on board early is critical to the success of your ITSM initiative. Sponsors can provide the support, resources, and buy-in needed to make your ITSM initiative a success. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can effectively engage your sponsors and ensure that your ITSM initiative delivers the desired results.

 

 

Kirk Penn, Principal Advisory Consultant

Kirk is a certified ITIL expert (v3) and Six Sigma Green Belt. He has worked on a variety of ITSM based transformation programs across Utilities, Telecommunications, Banking & Finance, Government & Public Sector, Real Estate & Transportation industries over the past 15 years. He is regularly called on by senior leaders and executives to provide ITSM strategy and guidance on complex projects across Asia Pacific.

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