Zeenea Effective Data Governance Framework | S01-E03 – Getting sponsorship

This is the third episode of our series “The Zeenea Effective Data Governance Framework”.

Split into three seasons, this first part will focus on Alignment: understanding the context, finding the right people, and preparing an action plan in your data-driven journey. 

This third episode will give you the keys on how to get good sponsorship for your data projects.

Step 1: Identify potential sponsors

The first step consists in identifying all the potential sponsors and setting up one to one (or one to many if you involve many colleagues) meetings to ensure endorsements and move forward on the Data Governance you want to put in place. You have learned a lot from the OKR meetings and now have the substance to ensure their support. 

Step 2: Prepare your storytelling

The second step is to prepare a story for each sponsor. Again, based on the workshops you were involved in on the company Data Strategy, you should be able to draft a personalized story.

You have 3 forms of storytelling which can be combined if needed:

• Use a testimony and real story to strengthen yours,
• Use a metaphor to illustrate the data concepts when they feel too complex,
• Use a “springboard” story from a specific characteristic to give the big picture.

Step 3: Present yourself

The third step consists in getting ready to describe who you are, what you do and why you do it through the prism of every sponsor.

Step 4: Asking for money

The fourth step consists in getting ready to ask for the money. Asking for money involves proposing different scenarios with different outcomes, a detailed analysis on the costs, a quantitative view on the financial benefits and then a ROI analysis.

Step 5: Commit to deliverables

The fifth step is to commit to deliverables. There won’t be endorsement if you don’t commit to tangible deliverables, results as well as a time frame.

Some tips and tricks to maximize your chances for getting  the sponsors aligned:

Ask for more than you need. Don’t sell yourself short and be prepared for a cut in your funding expectations and prepare accordingly.

Get a champion. In the list of sponsors, try to build a good relationship with one in particular and ask for help and insights to maximize your chances of winning.

Be impeccable in all aspects. When you’re courting a sponsor, always keep to your word, always be on time or early for an appointment. Let him or her know you are a person of integrity. Don’t forget to share the OKRs Map in which the sponsor is involved down to your own OKR.

Be brief and sharp. Ask for what you want, but don’t take up a lot of potential sponsors’ time doing it.

Get commitments. At the end of the sponsorship process, you should be able to get the following outcomes:

• Get understanding and alignment
• Get funding (means and resources)
• Get help in removing impediments (and build a fast track in the organisation hurdles)
• Get a schedule to organize feedback ceremonies