Project Success and Executive Sponsor Behaviors: Empirical Life Cycle Stage Investigations

Abstract

The role of the executive sponsor in achieving project success is important, yet rarely addressed. Recent research identifies behaviors that constitute the role of the executive project sponsor and evaluates how such behavior affects project success during different project stages. This study answers two research questions: (1) Does the relative importance of executive sponsor behavior vary significantly at different project stages? And (2) Does the relative importance of project success dimensions vary significantly within and across the different stages of completion? Results provide knowledge that will help executive sponsors decide how to invest their limited time and resources.