The roles that project sponsors play at stage gates of a project life cycle model: a case study of a water utility in South Africa

Abstract

Project sponsors play significant roles at the stage gates of project life cycle models (PLCMs). However, research on the roles that sponsors play at stage gates, and the attributes required of the sponsor, are sparse. This study investigated the roles played by government and municipal sponsors at the PLCM stage gates of a water utility, and identified the attributes that the sponsor should have as well as the challenges they face. A case study approach was employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders. The findings could assist the senior management of water utilities, national government departments, and municipalities when appointing suitable project sponsors.

Translated abstract

Projekborge speel belangrike rolle by die fase stadium hekke van 'n projeklewensiklus model. Die rol van projekborge by hierdie hekke, en die kenmerke wat vereis word van die borg, is egter nog selde bestudeer. Hierdie studie het die rol van staatsdiens en munisipale borge by hekke tussen die fases van 'n lewensiklus model van 'n water-nutsorganisasie ondersoek, en kenmerke waaroor die borge moet beskik asook uitdagings wat hulle die hoof moet bied, geïdentifiseer. 'n Gevallestudiebenadering is gevolg, en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is met relevante belanghebbendes gevoer. Die bevindings kan die senior bestuur van water-nutsorganisasies, staatsdepartemente, en munisipaliteite help om geskikte projekborge aan te stel.