To prevent the failure of a promising invention, is a key individual who is prepared to
champion its cause and to provide some energy to help it through the organizational system.
Roles of key players: (champion model)
1. Source of critical technical knowledge (inventor/team leader)
2. Organizational sponsor (pull strings, often board member)
Heavyweight project managers are deeply involved and have the organizational power to make
sure things come together. Lightweight project managers have more distant involvement.
Negative champions – project assassins – negative influence on outcome of innovation project.