What’s a sponsorship roadmap?
It’s a plan for the appointed sponsor of the transformation that outlines the steps required to secure support and buy-in from stakeholders in the organization. The roadmap should be developed as part of the overall change management plan and should be closely aligned with the goals and objectives of the change.
It should be well-designed, comprehensive and outline the specific actions and strategies required to secure support and get buy-in from the various stakeholders. By following the roadmap, we ensure that stakeholders are engaged, communication is effective, and the change initiative is successfully implemented.
How to develop your sponsorship roadmap?
Building a sponsorship roadmap is a crucial part of organizational change management. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1. Define the scope and objectives of the change.
Before you start building your sponsorship roadmap, you need to clearly define the scope of the change and the objectives you want to achieve. This will help you identify the stakeholders who will be affected by the change and the level of sponsorship you need from them.
Step 2. Identify key stakeholders.
Identify the key stakeholders who will be affected by the change and who will have a significant impact on the success of the change. This includes senior leaders, managers, employees, customers, partners, and vendors.
Step 3. Develop a sponsorship plan and engagement tactics.
Develop a plan that outlines the actions the sponsor will need to take to secure buy-in from your stakeholders. This includes identifying the benefits of the change for each stakeholder, communicating the change effectively, and addressing any concerns or resistance. (See below for what should be included in your sponsorship plan).
Step 4. Create a communication plan.
Develop a communication plan that outlines how you will communicate the change to your stakeholders. This includes identifying the key messages, communication channels, and timing of the communication.
Step 5. Implement the sponsorship plan.
Implement the sponsorship plan by executing the actions outlined in the plan. This includes communicating the change, addressing concerns and resistance, and securing continuous buy-in and support from your stakeholders.
Develop specific communication and engagement tactics that will be used to secure support and buy-in from stakeholders. This might include email communications, town hall meetings, focus groups, and individual conversations.
Step 6. Training and support.
Provide training and support to stakeholders to help them understand and embrace the change initiative. This might include training sessions, job aids, or access to support resources.
Step 7. Monitor and evaluate progress.
Monitor and evaluate the progress of the sponsorship plan to ensure that you’re on track to achieve your objectives. This includes measuring the level of engagement among your stakeholders and making adjustments to your plan as needed.
By following these 7 steps, you’ll build a strong sponsorship roadmap that will help you achieve your organizational change objectives.
What should be included in your sponsorship plan?
Your sponsorship plan should outline the steps required to secure support and buy-in from your stakeholders. The plan should be developed as part of your overall change management plan and should be closely aligned with the goals and objectives of the change.
Here are the key components that a sponsorship plan should contain:
- Overview of the change: including a clear and concise description of the change initiative, the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes. This provides context for the rest of the plan and helps stakeholders understand why the change is necessary.
- Stakeholder analysis: The plan should include a stakeholder analysis that identifies the key stakeholders who will be affected by the change and their level of influence on the success of the initiative. This helps determine who needs to be engaged, what their concerns might be, and how to effectively communicate with them.
- Assess the current level of sponsorship: Once stakeholders are identified, assess the current level of support and buy-in for the change initiative. This can be done through surveys, interviews, or other feedback mechanisms. Understanding the current level of sponsorship is crucial for developing an effective sponsorship plan.
- Sponsorship plan: The plan itself should be tailored to the needs of each stakeholder and include specific engagement tactics such as meetings, presentations, training, and one-on-one conversations.
- Communication plan: The communication plan outlines how the change initiative will be communicated to stakeholders. It should include key messages to be communicated, channels to be used, and timing of the communication. The plan should also include strategies for addressing any concerns or objections that stakeholders may have.
- Tailor the approach for each stakeholder: based on their level of influence and interest in the change initiative. This might involve developing specific messaging and approaches for different stakeholders, such as executive presentations, one-on-one meetings, or team training sessions.
- Develop key messages: which focus on the benefits of the change initiative and address any concerns or objections that stakeholders may have.
- Metrics and evaluation: The roadmap should include metrics measuring the effectiveness of the sponsorship plan and the communication plan. This might include metrics such as the number of stakeholder engagements, the level of stakeholder support, and the success of the communication efforts. These metrics should be evaluated regularly to ensure that the sponsorship roadmap is effective, and adjustments are made as needed.
- Define desired outcomes: Next, define the desired outcomes for the change initiative. This includes the specific goals and objectives that the change is meant to achieve, such as enhanced efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, increased revenue, etc.
- Risk management: A risk management plan that identifies potential risks and challenges to the success of the change initiative is important. It must include strategies for mitigating these risks and addressing any challenges that arise.
By following the above steps, the sponsorship roadmap can be developed to effectively engage stakeholders and secure their support and buy-in for the change initiative.
