Managing Successful Programmes (MSP™) Foundation

Programme Management brings together related projects to manage their interdependencies. The OGC's "Managing Successful Programmes" method 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. Programme Management provides the framework for implementing business strategies and initiatives, or large scale change, where there is a "vision" of the programme’s outcome – a transformed organisation for example. The path to achieving the vision may deviate and change direction. The vision itself may require adapting as work progresses and individual projects orbit around their approved plans. Programme Management helps to organise, manage, accommodate and control these changes so that the eventual outcome meets the objectives set by the business strategy.

DOCUMENTATION

The following course material is included for this event.

Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Manual

Managing Successful Programmes. The MSP Manual, published by The Stationery Office, gives the official guidance for the method.

Pre-Event Study Guide & Computer-Based Training CD-ROM

The event preparation materials include the MSP Manual, a structured Pre-Event Study Guide, and an Event Preparation CD-ROM. The CD-ROM includes:

• Pre-event Handout (PDF)
• VisaVision - example Foundation style questions
• APMG Examination Guidance

MSP Event Handout

Containing individual work enabling you to practise the elements contained within the MSP Method. The exercises are designed to familiarise you with the MSP Manual and to help you understand the MSP Method in a stimulating and interesting way.

MSP Examinations Assistant

This booklet provides advice on the Practitioner Exam. Included are guidance on the exam as well as sample papers, answers and marking scheme.

SPOCE’s event preparation material is dispatched to delegates 4 weeks prior to the start of the course. It is recommended that delegates commit up to 10 hours preparing for the MSP event.

CONTENTS

This course is accredited by the APM Group against the MSP syllabus for Foundation and Practitioner levels and includes the following topics.

MSP INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

What is a programme? What is programme management? Terminology? Structure of MSP.

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

What is a 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.

THE BUSINESS CASE

Developing, managing and reviewing the programme’s Business Case.

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.

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 in programmes.

CLOSING A PROGRAMME

Formal confirmation of completion. Finalising programme information. Confirming closure.

Following the scheduled training covering all of the content shown above, the course includes the following exam:-

FOUNDATION EXAM 16.00 on Day 4

Closed-book; multiple-choice; 40 minutes; 50 questions; 60% required to pass.