PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
What is the difference between the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO/Executive) and a Project Sponsor?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that many candidates assume 'Project Sponsor' is a standard PRINCE2 role because it is widely used in industry, but PRINCE2 specifically uses 'Senior Responsible Owner' (or 'Executive') and does not include 'Project Sponsor' in its role definitions, making option B the only technically accurate answer.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The SRO is a PRINCE2 role; 'Project Sponsor' is not a PRINCE2 term
PRINCE2 defines the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) as the single person accountable for the business case and overall project success, and it is a formal role within the PRINCE2 Project Board. 'Project Sponsor' is a generic term used in many organizations but is not a defined role in the PRINCE2 methodology. Therefore, the key difference is that the SRO is a specific PRINCE2 role, while 'Project Sponsor' is not part of the PRINCE2 terminology.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The SRO is a member of the Project Board; the Sponsor is not
Why it's wrong here
Sponsor is not a defined role.
- ✓
The SRO is a PRINCE2 role; 'Project Sponsor' is not a PRINCE2 term
Why this is correct
PRINCE2 uses SRO, not sponsor.
- ✗
They are the same role with different names
Why it's wrong here
PRINCE2 does not use the term sponsor.
- ✗
The Project Sponsor is more senior than the SRO
Why it's wrong here
No such hierarchy in PRINCE2.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on PRINCE2F
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. In PRINCE2, what is the difference between a Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and a Project Sponsor?
hard- ✓ A.The SRO is accountable for the Business Case; the sponsor is not defined in PRINCE2
- B.The sponsor is a member of the Project Board; the SRO is not
- C.The SRO is appointed after the project; the sponsor is appointed before
- D.They are different names for the same role
Why A: In PRINCE2, the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) is the single person accountable for the Business Case and ensuring the project delivers the expected benefits. The term 'Project Sponsor' is not a defined role in PRINCE2; it is a common industry term that may be used interchangeably with the SRO or other roles, but PRINCE2's official role structure uses the SRO as the key business representative on the Project Board.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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