The project sponsor’s achievement is critical for project success. Hence, this research studies Swedish IT project managers’ opinion on IT project sponsors’ work and their understanding of the project / deliverable. Data were collected by two surveys, in 2007 (public authorities/business, 94 participants), and in 2016 (public authorities, 82 participants). According to the findings, a minority (36%) of the project managers valued the project sponsors’ knowledge / understanding as high (4 and 5 on a 5-point scale). They valued the sponsors’ understanding of the project’s deliverable somewhat higher (about 40%) than the understanding of IT and business (about 30%), and of the overview of the project (about 30%). Seen in the light of recent years’ data-crimes, digital society, and importance of successful businesses, the project sponsor has a huge responsibility and must therefore act from a basis of sound knowledge and complete understanding of the IT project and its deliverable.