Study goals
The present work sought to examine how the Life Cycle Canvas® visual model influences the performance of the governance function exercised by the project sponsor in the project life cycle of a public educational institution.
Relevance / originality
It is possible to claim that the model has a preponderant role in the performance of the sponsor's governance role, making it reflect on factors that without the model would not be possible. In this way, the Life Cycle Canvas® visual model is able to assist the sponsor in all stages of the project life cycle, contributing to the performance of its governance function.
Methodology / approach
To achieve this objective, a descriptive research was carried out, with case study procedures, the approach followed qualitative parameters, where the subjects of this research understood the sponsors themselves. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured individual interviews, so it was possible to interview four sponsors involved in any of the sample projects. Data analysis was carried out through content analysis, where the ATLAS.ti software, version 7, was used to assist in the treatment. The previously defined categories represented the six dimensions of the sponsor's roles in the context of project governance pointed out by Crawford et al. (2008).
Main results
In this work, it was identified that the visual model Life Cycle Canvas® can contribute to the performance of this role in the six dimensions suggested by Crawford et al. (2008). Taking into account the list of identified codes, it can be claimed that it helps, mainly, in the dimension to critically review progress.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
Scientifically, the work provides its share of contribution. Several studies had already been carried out on the sponsor's roles (Bryde, 2008; Crawford et al., 2008; Helm & Remington, 2005; Kloppenborg, Tesch & Manolis, 2014; Kloppenborg, Tesch, Manolis & Heitkamp, 2006; Macdougall & Michaelides , 2014; Sense, 2013; Sewchurran & Barron, 2008), but there were no records of studies that listed sponsor, project governance and a management model. At this point, that this work provides its greatest contribution to science, as it demonstrates how a visual management model, the Life Cycle Canvas®, contributes to the performance of the project sponsor's governance function, opening spaces for other discussions. In addition, the paper provides evidence that the literature is correct when it claims that the sponsor has a governance function (Too & Weaver, 2014; Hazard & Crawford, 2004; Crawford et al. 2008).
Social / management contributions
With regard to social contribution, the results of this work indicate that the use of the Life Cycle Canvas® visual model is of crucial importance for the role of the sponsor within the public educational institution studied, providing this actor with reflections on key factors, among them, costs. As this educational institution is financed by public resources, the model directly contributes to a better evaluation by these sponsors, since they are the ones who usually authorize the execution of expenses. Thus, if the model manages to generate better use of resources, it is permissible to claim that this is a socially important contribution, since better use of public resources can reflect in better products made available to citizens. Added to this is also the fact that these institutions are experiencing resource constraints, which requires better management. As the main practical implication, this work provides that the Life Cycle Canvas® visual model can be a powerful tool to improve performance of governance that the sponsor must have, enabling him to see his role throughout the life cycle of a project. This fact can serve as a benchmarking process for other public educational institutions.