Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
The Business Champion
Similar to the role of the executive business sponsor, there should be one
representative from the business community to serve as the business cham-
pion for each individual project. This person will spearhead and maintain
business involvement on the project and work as an active partner with the IT
organization. The business champion is typically a senior member of the group
and may also have management responsibilities. The data warehouse project
must be one of the primary responsibilities of the business champion. While
there must be one person designated as the primary business champion, other
people in the business community can help with this work too. However, if
multiple people are assigned the responsibility, it is too easy to just assume
that someone else is taking care of things.
The business champion should have direct and frequent access to the exec-
utive business sponsor, either as part of his or her current job responsibilities
or having this avenue opened up for the champion role. The champion usu-
ally participates in, or could be one of the primary drivers for, getting the
project started. This includes setting up the project charter and project scope (as
described in Chapter 5). The champion has the responsibility to make decisions
about project details on behalf of the business community, but is not expected
to be responsible for performing detailed project tasks or producing project
deliverables. The champion works closely with the project manager and other
business and systems resources to keep the project on track. He or she must be
one of the data warehouse's primary advocates, and is responsible for giving
regular briefings to a variety of audiences across the business community.
BUSINESS CHAMPION JOB DESCRIPTION
The business champion will:
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Advocate for business process changes
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Understand the overall project life cycle
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Monitor project progress
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Help resolve issues
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Communicate and market the purpose and benefits of the project
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Cultivate relationships across business groups
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Understand the project's purpose and the team roles
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Work to develop the business justification and impact of the data
warehouse
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