What should the KM executive sponsor do?

Most or all KM initiatives have an executive sponsor (there are some that do not have one, the so-called Guerrilla KM or stealth KM, but these generally have the aim of gaining a sponsor). What do you need that sponsor to do for you?

The role of the Executive Sponsor is as follows;

• To act as customer for the KM implementation program, defining the needs and success criteria for implementation, 
• To act as customer for effective operation of the KM Framework, defining the required outcome and KPIs,
• To convene and chair the KM steering group,
• To aid in removing corporate barriers to effective KM, 
• To endorse and communicate the vision for KM within the organisation,
• To agree and endorse the KM policy,
• To set corporate expectations for adherence to the policy, 
• To ensure appropriate resources for KM within the organisation,
• To agree the reporting structure for KM metrics and to receive an appropriate level of reporting, and 
• To appoint, resource and manage a Chief Knowledge Officer or Head of KM plus their implementation team.