To say you should “pick” your data warehouse executive sponsor carefully would be a rather strange statement. Not many DW programs can pick their sponsor. Usually, it’s the other way around. The program staff must deal with the sponsor that has chartered that course of action for the organization. DW programs need to have that top down driver and support at the executive level. Nonetheless, the executive sponsor acceding to his or her roles is critical to success and hopefully those roles are clear or there is the opportunity to make them clear.

I have worked with all manner of executive sponsor, from those who intuitively get it and put forward the effort required for success to those who need some guidance. Most are more than willing to listen and align their actions with successful practices for DW success. Generally, I ask my sponsors to invest in understanding DW systems generally and within their company; lead, as necessary, the governance meetings; provide overall direction for the DW and keep the DW out of internal cross-fire.