What are Advisory and Steering Committees? - ethniccommunities.org

What is a Steering Committee?
The Steering Committee provides support and guidance to an actual project. A project
Steering Committee is a key body that ensures that the project attains its goals, objectives
and outcomes, and is sustained. This may include developing and refining objectives,
developing budgetary strategy, monitoring quality and timelines, and assessing requests for
amendments to the scope of the project.
Membership usually includes:
• representatives from selected key stakeholders;
• experts from within the agency; and
• external, independent representatives with expertise relevant to the project’s aims.
The Project Manager is not a member of the Steering Committee. He or she works with the
Steering Committee to ensure the work of the project is undertaken as agreed. The Project
Manager should attend meetings of the Steering Committee. Additional staff such as a
project team member or administrative staff may also attend.
Collectively, the role of a Steering Committee is to:
• ensure the project's scope aligns with the agreed requirements of the Business
Owners and key stakeholder groups;
• provide those directly involved in the project with guidance,
• ensure that staff and volunteer effort and financial expenditure are appropriate to
stakeholder expectations;
• address issues which have major implications for the project;
• maintain the project scope as emerging concerns force changes to be contemplated;
• reconcile differences in opinion and approach and resolve disagreements;
Steering Committee members do not hold any direct responsible for managing or
implementing project activities. Rather, they provide support and guidance for those who
do. Given those responsibilities, members of a Steering Committee should:
• grasp the strategic implications and outcomes that are being pursued,
• both appreciate the value of the project for some or all major stakeholders and
perhaps represent their interests;
• possess a genuine interested in the project and its projected outcomes;
• possess an understanding of project management in general and be familiar with the
particular approach being used on this project.
• advance positive communication outside of the Committee in relation to the project's
progress;
• monitor whether the project’s activities adhere to recognized standards of best
practice both within the organization and in the field in general.