A Model of Public Project Ownership

Governance is related to ownership. Over recent years a growing interest in governance and project governance has risen in books, papers and presentations in conferences. The specific characteristics of the public sector make governance of public projects a complex issue. This paper discusses implications of the project owner role in a governance perspective. We present a model defining basis functions which should make up the role of project owner, specifically in public sector investment projects. The functions are defined on strategic and tactical level – and points out interfaces between the owner and other roles in the project. Examples of projects and organisations in Norway illustrate the model. The importance of the strategic and tactical functions of ownership, are discussed. The model for project ownership is a framework for discussion of the owner role in public projects. This model offers improved understanding the owner role and a new tool for discussion.