msp qualifications explained · 2016-11-02 · this workshop is often combined with the foundation...

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MSP, PRINCE and PRINCE2 are Trade Marks of the Office of Government Commerce

© 2011 Focus on Training

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MSP® Qualifications Explained MSP is “Best Practice” for Managing Successful Programmes




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Strategic change in an organisation is often brought about through a programme of linked projects. Managing such a programme requires skill sets beyond those of the project manager. The successful Programme Manger not only directs a series of discrete projects but provides leadership, allocates resources and ensures that the project activity is fully consistent with the day to day requirements of the business.

The skills of the Programme Manager correspond as closely to those of the General Manager as the Project Manager. It becomes more difficult to provide tightly defined methodologies or training. However, as Programme Management has emerged as a discipline so a variety of specialist training has become available.

MSP or “Managing Successful Programmes” is best practice guidance which forms the foundation of the most widely recognised accredited qualification scheme. It’s in the same family as PRINCE2.

For those looking to acquire skills and qualifications in Programme Management this guide explains the options available – and the structure of the MSP scheme.

Prepared by:

Steve Twine Managing Director – Focus On Training

Version 1.03 October 2011

About:

Focus on Training specialises in provision of Best Practice training within the fields of Project

Management and IT Service Management. A comprehensive range of PRINCE2, MSP, PMI,

MoR, PMI, APM and ITIL courses from leading accredited training organisations can be booked

at our project management site:

www.focus-on-training.co.uk

With a network of over 50 high quality training partners Focus specialises in offering you the

widest choice of accredited Project and Programme Management courses in the UK, helping

you achieve Best Practice performance and certification – as an individual or an organisation.

Steve Twine is Managing Director and leads the Project Management team at Focus. He has

deep experience of complex and high profile international projects within the automotive

industry.

[email protected]




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Contents 1. What is Programme Management?

2. A New Management Discipline?

3. What are the Training Options?

4. Understanding MSP

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Principles

4.3. Governance Themes

4.4. Organisational Flow

4.5. MSP 2011 Update – What’s New

5. MSP Training and Exams

5.1. Introduction

5.2. MSP Foundation

5.3. MSP Practitioner

5.4. MSP Advanced Practitioner

5.5. Diploma in Programme and Project Management

6. FAQs

7. Finding and Booking your Course




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1. What is Programme Management?

Programme Management is the direction and implementation of a set of related projects

and activities that enable the realisation of predefined benefits and outcomes. The

advantages of choosing to manage these projects and activities together may include:

Alignment to achieve a common goal

Reduction of risk arising from project and organisational interfaces

Prioritisation of shared resources

Reduction in management effort

The distinction between Project Management and Programme Management is not black

and white. For instance, a single IT project manager may take personal responsibility

for a series of related projects associated with development and deployment of a new

application. The term Programme is usually reserved for larger scale groups of projects

which underpin strategically important capital investment or business change.

PROJECT OR PROGRAMME

Narrow Scope Wide ranging

Few / Specific Deliverables Many / Strategic

After Closure Benefits During and After

Tightly Defined Timescale Less Proscribed

No Operational Component Yes

Middle Management Accountability Senior Management

2. A New Management Discipline?

Today’s successful organisations concentrate on “horizontal” or “tranverse”

management processes with the emphasis on delivery of specific benefits or outcomes.

This contrasts with more traditional emphasis on efficient administration of processes

within “vertical” functional areas. Project and Programme Managers take a lead in this

area.

Managing Programmes requires a blend of skills which span both “general management”

and “project management”. The core competencies of a successful Programme Manager

will include:




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Strong leadership

Effective interpersonal communication skills

Understanding of the overall business and its environment

Financial evaluation and control

Negotiation and conflict resolution

Some would argue that Programme Management is not a discipline in its own right –

but the evidence to the contrary is best seen amongst the management recruitment

pages. The number of programme manager positions has been doubling each year in

the UK. It is not only an obvious development option for accomplished project

managers – but a route for those from other disciplines who wish to take responsibility

for delivery of “change” at a senior level.

3. What are the Training Options?

This guide concentrates on accredited training which will provide professionals (and

their employers) with the confidence that learning is structured, thorough and effective.

The most popular options are:

MSP – Managing Successful Programmes

Within the same family as PRINCE2 and MoR

Flexible best practice guidance

The most widely adopted approach in the UK

PMI – Program Management Professional (PgMP)

Within the same family as PMP

A high level of international recognition

Demands at least 8 years’ project and program management experience

MSP was first published in 1999, refreshed in 2003, 2007 & 2011.

Since 2007 there has been strong uptake in both UK and overseas. A hierarchy of training from Foundation Certificate through to Diploma level is now available.

Sections 4 to 8 of this guide describe the method and qualifications in detail.

Organisations using MSP include Barclays Bank, British Telecom, GlaxoSmithKline

and the Ministry of Defence




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Assessment includes both examination and 360o review

Structured system of continuing professional development

This qualification was launched in 2006 and as yet has had limited uptake in the UK.

However, like the PMP Project Management qualification it is likely to be attractive to

those working within US centric organisations with extensive multinational presence.

ISEB – Program & Project Support Office (PPSO)

Valuable guidance on establishing and running support activities

Complimentary to MSP and PgMP

Essentials and Advanced Certificates

The leading qualification of its kind in the UK

Overseen by ISEB – the examination board of the British Computer Society

4. Understanding MSP?

4.1 Introduction

MSP offers a framework and systematic approach to programme management based on

the cumulative experience of thousands of successful organisations. Using the MSP

approach will help organisations deliver change in the face of complexity, risks and

interdependencies.

Clear focus on outcomes

Defined responsibilities and lines of communication

Effective planning

Engagement of all stakeholders

Active management of quality and risk

The MSP manual is based on a framework comprising “Principles”, “Governance

Themes” and “Transformational Flow”.

4.2 Principles

The 7 MSP Principles are applicable to every Programme and they will help guide

practitioners as they implement change.

Alignment with Corporate Strategy




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Leading Change

Envisioning & Communicating a Better Future

Focusing on the Benefits

Adding Value

Designing and Delivering Coherent Capability

Learning from Experience

4.3 Governance Themes

The MSP Governance Themes represent the framework for control of a programme.

Organisation

Vision

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

Benefits Realisation

Blueprint Design and Delivery

(a model of the future organisational state which underpins the vision)

Planning & Control

Business Case

Risk & Issue Management

Quality Management

4.4 Organisational Flow

A series of iterative and inter-related steps drives the implementation of change.

Identifying a Programme

Defining a Programme

Managing the Tranches

(a tranche is a group of projects structured around distinct step changes)

Delivering the Capability

Realising the Benefits

Closing the Programme




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4.5 MSP 2011 Update – What’s New

This is an incremental revision based on comments and suggestions from the PPM

community over the past 4 years. The most obvious changes are 3 new (or renamed)

chapters:

Benefits Management

Risk & Issue Management

Quality & Assurance Management

The Benefits Management section is much more consistent with the rest of the manual,

and there is practical advice on techniques and categorisation.

The Risk & Issue section relates more directly to the programme environment, and

there is a new supporting cycle that includes change control.

Quality & Assurance management now includes a significant new section on Assurance,

and there is particular emphasis on people development.

Each Governance Theme chapter now explains how that theme relates to each of the

Transformational Flow processes. Throughout the guidance there are hints on practical

ways to apply the guidance. There is clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the

Business Change Management team.

5. MSP Training and Exams

5.1 Introduction

The MSP qualification structure comprises Foundation, Practitioner and Advanced

Practitioner certificates. Exams are usually taken as part of an accredited course –

though self study options are available. A higher level diploma with linkage to PRINCE2

and MSP may also be of interest.




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5.2 MSP Foundation

This workshop is designed to give delegates a sound overview of Programme

Management and it introduces the principles of the MSP approach. There are 2, 3 and 4

day options available. On the last day, delegates will undertake the MSP Foundation

examination.

Exam:

Duration 40 minutes

Format 50 multiple choice questions; closed manual

Pass Mark 25 (out of 50)

NB 30 marks required to progress to Practitioner level

5.3 MSP Practitioner

This workshop is often combined with the Foundation course and exam enabling

delegates to achieve both certificates in 5 days. The intensive course uses a

combination of lectures, exercises, case studies, workshops and examination

preparation to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the MSP Manual.




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Exam:

Duration 150 minutes

Format 9 sections each with several “complex” multiple choice questions based

on a previously unseen scenario; open manual


5.4 MSP Advanced Practitioner

The usual training is a 2 or 3 day course with an exam on the final day.

Delegates must have attained the MSP Foundation and Practitioner qualifications before

attending this workshop. They must also have some experience of performing the

role of programme manager and be able and prepared to share this with other

delegates and demonstrate it in their examination answers.

Exam:

Duration 150 minutes

Format 3 essay type questions based on a complex scenario issued when booking

the exam; open manual


5.5 Diploma in Programme & Project Management

This qualification has been developed jointly by the Chartered Management Institute

and the APM Group (which accredits PRINCE2 and MSP). The training is based on a

series of core and optional modular units – with the opportunity to specialise in either

Programme Management or Project Management. PRINCE2 and MSP are amongst the

qualifications which provide exemptions from up to 2 units. (A lower level Certificate is

also available.)




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6. FAQs

� Where can I train for MSP?

Accredited training is available in over 15 UK locations. You will find the widest

range of course dates at the Focus on Training website

www.focus-on-training.co.uk

� Do I need to be PRINCE2 qualified in order to take MSP exams?

No, though you may find this helpful. Many programme managers have a project

management background but experience within other business functions such as

IT or quality management can be just as relevant

� Why does the same course vary in price?

Focus works with most of the accredited trainers in the UK and prices may vary

by company and venue. However, you will study the same outline, sit the same

examination, and gain the same qualification. It just comes down to which is

most convenient for you.

� Which book should I buy if I am studying MSP?

You will need the OGC best practice guide “Managing Successful Programmes”

(2007 edition). You will normally receive a copy of this when you sign up for an

MSP Foundation course.

� How long does my qualification last?

MSP Practitioners and Advanced Practitioners need to sit a re-registration exam

within 3-5 years of their original certification. This will demonstrate commitment

to continuing professional development and ensure knowledge is up to date. The

Advanced Practitioner re-registration involves a 1,500 word “dissertation”.




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7. Finding and Booking your Course

Booking with Focus makes more sense:

A course close to home avoids hotel and travel

We offer more choice than anyone

Our training partners achieve above average pass marks

We can provide independent advice

Booking is online and fast

Contact Focus: Tel: 0845 450 6120 Fax: 0870 855 5321 Email: [email protected] Web: www.focus-on-training.co.uk Mail: Focus on Training

First Floor Olympus House Werrington Centre Peterborough PE4 6NA

Useful Sources of Additional Information

www.best-management-practice.com

This website is provided by OGC (the “owner” of MSP) in conjunction with APMG

(the accreditation authority) and TSO (the publisher of the official manuals)

www.pmi.org

The US based Project Management Institute which offers the PgMP certification

www.iseb-exams.com

The exam arm of the British Computer Society which offers accredited training for

those responsible for the Programme & Project Support Office

www.managers.org.uk The only body able to award the “chartered manager” status and the organisation

behind the diploma in project and programme management

msp qualifications explained · 2016-11-02 · this workshop is often combined with the foundation...

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