Which stakeholder is primarily responsible for ensuring the project stays on budget?

• A. Project sponsor
• B. Project manager
• C. Team members
• D. Customer

Answer: (A)

The project manager is the one who keeps costs in check. They’re responsible for planning how costs will be tracked, establishing the budget, and then monitoring actual spending against that budget. When variances appear, they analyze the data, forecast what the final cost will be, and implement corrective actions to bring spending back in line. The sponsor provides funding and high‑level support, approving budgets and major changes, but the day‑to‑day control of costs rests with the project manager. Team members contribute by doing the work, and the customer influences scope and requirements, which affect costs, but they don’t manage the budget. So, the project manager is the primary person responsible for keeping the project on budget.