Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) includes universal principles, in that they apply to every programme. They are self-validating as they have been proven in practice, and they are empowering, because they give practitioners of this framework added ability to influence and shape transformational change towards success. The principles are: – Remaining aligned with corporate strategy – Leading change – Envisioning and communicating a better future – Focusing on the benefits and threats to them – Adding value – Designing and delivering a coherent capability – Learning from experience.
Officially launched in 1999, “Managing Successful Programmes” (MSP®) is a guide that provides and maintains a strategic view over the set of projects, aligning and co-ordinating them within a programme of business change in support of specific business strategies.
What Are The Course Objectives?
The key objectives of the MSP® Foundation & Practitioner course are:
Provide Delegates with an understanding of the benefits and principles underlying a structured approach to programme management
Apply the principles of MSP® to a programme within a work environment
Operate effectively with colleagues and managers within a structured programme and project management environment
Enable delegates to understand the MSP® framework to be prepared to sit the APM Group MSP® Foundation and Practitioner exams
Success in the Foundation & Practitioner Exams provides candidates with the pre-requisites required to sit the MSP® Advanced Practitioner exam (separate course – please see MSP Advanced Practitioner course).
What Is The Course Approach?
The courses include a mixture of input and practical sessions, delivered by an APM Group approved trainer with practical experience of project and programme management.
The pre-course material includes SPOCE’s highly acclaimed event preparation CD and the MSP® Manual. Delegates should spend approximately 10 hours studying this pre-course material in order to be well prepared for the course.
Course Content
MSP® INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW – What is a programme? What is programme management? MSP® Structure.
MSP® FRAMEWORK AND CONCEPTS – Principles, governance themes, transformational flow, management strategies and plans.
VISION – What is a ‘vision’? What makes a good Vision Statement?
IDENTIFYING A PROGRAMME – Programme Mandate. Linking to Policy and Strategy. Preparing a Programme Brief. Planning to Define the Programme.
BLUEPRINT DESIGN AND DELIVERY – What is a Blueprint, and what does it contain? Developing a Blueprint from the Vision Statement.
DEFINING A PROGRAMME – Creating a Programme Definition Document (including the Project Dossier, the Programme Plan and the Programme Business Case).
PLANNING AND CONTROL – What is a Programme Plan and how is it developed? The Project Dossier. Resourcing and scheduling.
BENEFITS REALISATION MANAGEMENT – The key driver for the programme. How benefits realisation links to achieving strategic objectives. Outcome relationship models and Benefit Maps. Planning for benefits realisation.
ORGANISATION AND THE PROGRAMME OFFICE – Organisation and leadership. Organisational structure, the key roles and their responsibilities. What is a Programme Office and what service does it provide?
THE BUSINESS CASE – Developing, managing and reviewing the programme’s Business Case.
LEADERSHIP AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT – Leadership as opposed to management. How ‘leaders’ actively engage stakeholders. Analysing and engaging with stakeholders. Stakeholder maps and matrices.
MANAGING THE TRANCHES – Implementing governance arrangements. Establishing tranches. Managing risks and issues.
DELIVERING THE CAPABILITY AND REALISING THE BENEFITS – Co-ordinating and managing projects on the Project Dossier. Starting and closing projects. Maintaining alignment with the programme. Ensuring that project outputs are fit for purpose and can be integrated into operations, so that benefits can be realised. Pre-transition, transition and post transition activities.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT – Critical Success Factors. The scope of programme quality management. Quality processes. Configuration Management. Quality Management Strategy and Plan. Information Management Strategy and Plan.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND ISSUE RESOLUTION – Principles, approach and strategy for managing risks and resolving issues. Managing and controlling changes
CLOSING A PROGRAMME – Formal confirmation of completion. Finalising programme information. Confirming closure.
What examinations are taken on the course?
MSP® Foundation Exam: 1 hour, closed book, 75 multiple -choice questions.
MSP® Practitioner Exam: 2½ hours, open book (MSP® manual only) consisting of 8 scenario -based objective test questions.
This is a 5 Day Instructor-led classroom training course that could lead to potential employment in the Project Management industry.
CPD/PDUs will be 35.
