Notes for Project Boards > The Senior User

Who should be the Senior User. An interesting question that should be addressed very carefully. One can also wonder if the Project Manager is the one to decide on this question. I think not.

Senior Management or a program gives a mandate to an Executive. In both cases it is expected that it is clear who will use the final project product. This can range from a minor department in the organization up to all employees and even external parties like customers and suppliers. Users are important stakeholders of the final project product as in many cases they are expected to achieve the profit mentioned in the business case. It is therefor important that they are represented in the Project Board where discussions about what is produced and what is needed can be settled. The Senior User is the representative of all users. This can also be a department the will manage the product after handover.

To be able to take that representing role the Senior User should be given the right authority. He should be able to negotiate on the behalf of the users meaning that he should guard the requirements and he should be able to accept changes in the organization or processes to achieve the agreed profit.

In many cases it is not clear who is capable and in the position to take that role. It is therefor important that a Project Board takes time to seek and find the best suited functionary and arrange all needed mandates for him to take the role of Senior User. The Senior User role can be taken by more than one functionary. Make sure their responsibilities do not overlap. Keep the Project Board as small as possible.