MSP®

Course deliverables and MSP implementation tools -

Official accredited student e-course material - Foundation & Practitioner
MSP Foundation e-training manual (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Practitioner e-training manual (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Foundation material Hard Copy (Hard bound - lasts lifetime)
MSP Practitioner material Hard Copy (Hard bound - lasts lifetime)
MSP Principles summary (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Themes summary (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Transformational flow summary (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Boundary Baseline summary (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Governance Baseline summary (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Management Baseline summary (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Quick Brush - Foundation and Practitioner (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP mind maps (.mm files) (prepared by IMTCS)
28 MSP Templates (Prepared by IMTCS)
Complete Official Syllabus delivery 'Click here' for the full official syllabus
Comprehensive introduction to the complete AXELOS BMP portfolio of which MSP is an integral part of
Introduction to the P3M3 maturity model - Project, Programme and Portfolio delivery perspectives.
Introduction to BMP Risk Management - Principles and context - M_o_R perspective
Case study to differentiate 'Leadership' and 'Management'
Brief Introduction to P3M3 and P3O - Programme perspective
MSP Summary Audio files (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Foundation Exam flyer video (prepared by IMTCS)
MSP Foundation sample papers (prepared by IMTCS)
100 MSP Practitioner exam style sample Questions (prepared by IMTCS)
2 Official Sample Foundation papers
2 Official Sample Practitioner papers
e-Participation Certificate (1 for Foundation and 1 for Practitioner)
Sample MSP Programme walk through
MSP official Foundation Exam
MSP official Practitioner Exam
Brief Introduction on how PRINCE2, PMBoK and MSP can be used together in a programme environment
Brief Introduction on how MSP, PRINCE2 and ITIL can be used together to achieve corporate objectives and benefits of strategic importance
Assignments shall be given between Foundation and Practitioner trainings so as to be better prepared for the tougher Practitioner exam

Please note - The Official MSP Manual (AXELOS Limited) will be used for the purpose of Foundation and Practitioner training. However please note that this book is for the practitioner exam only. It is not one of the deliverables to the delegates. If the delegates are interested in buying the official manual, IMTCS can help them with procuring the same at best possible price. More about MSP - Click here

Driving any change let alone a strategic change in any organisation is often brought about through a programme or a set of related transformational activities often with linked projects that fit the overall organizational context in delivering fit-for-purpose products. A programme puts into use those products (capability) to drive the benefits of significant strategic importance and hence justifies the investments made in producing them. Managing such a transformational change or what it should be termed - programme requires skill sets beyond those of a project manager. Such a transformation presents a HUGE leadership and management challenge. The successful Programme Manager not only directs a set of projects but also provides leadership, programme governance and allocates resources and ensures that the project(s) activity is fully consistent with the day to day requirements of the business organization and its wider stakeholders. MSP brings together various organizational elements and their activities be it in operations (BAU environments), strategic levels, corporate portfolio and other layers to work in delivering the capability, achieving the outcome(s) and realizing benefits of strategic importance.

MSP is the methodology that is used to drive 'The Greatest Show on Earth' - The London Olympics 2012. MSP or “Managing Successful Programmes” is a global best practice guidance which forms the foundation of the most widely recognized accredited qualification scheme. It is in the same family as PRINCE2. Developed and maintained by the same custodian as PRINCE2. For those looking to acquire skills and qualifications in Programme Management, this guide (2011 edition) explains the options available – and the structure of the MSP methodology. At IMTCS, we deliver these levels on top of the mark.

Author of the course-ware, Training material and Lead Trainer - A2A IIMTCS PVT LTD

The term Transformational Flow is used to describe a series of six processes which guide the programme management team through the programme.

During ’Identifying a Programme’ the Programme Mandate is agreed by the stakeholders and developed into a more comprehensive document outlining the programme’s purpose. The detailed planning for the programme is undertaken during ‘Defining the Programme’. Once the Sponsoring Group refine and approve the Vision Statement, the Programme Board and supporting subject matter experts undertake a number of activities which culminate in the development of a Programme Plan (normally part of the larger and more comprehensive Programme Definition Documentation) and the Programme's Business Case. Primarily the responsibility of the Programme Manager, Managing the Tranches implements the governance arrangements for the programme to each of the tranches. The activities contained within this process are applied in alignment with the previously defined strategies and plans developed during the Defining a Programme process. The Programme Manager is responsible for coordinating and managing the projects. This is achieved by applying the ‘Delivering the Capability’ process. The Business Change Manager(s) are responsible for integrating the outputs from the projects into the operational environment and thereby generating the expected benefits. The purpose of each of the processes within the Transformational Flow is to ensure that each programme is managed in a consistent manner. The ‘Closing a Programme’ process is applied to ensure the work of the programme is completed and that any follow-on support and actions are in place to ensure the ongoing realization of the benefits.

The Foundation qualification
The purpose of the foundation qualification is to confirm that a candidate has sufficient knowledge and understanding of the MSP guidance to interact effectively with those involved in the management of a programme or act as an informed member of a Programme office team, business change team or project delivery team working within an environment supporting MSP. The foundation qualification is also a pre-requisite for the practitioner qualification. Candidates need to show that they understand the key principles and terminology within the MSP guidance. Specifically, candidates should be able to understand:

The programme management environment and the characteristics of different types of programmes
The benefits of applying the MSP guidance to the management of a programme of transformational change
The purpose of the defined roles
The purpose of the seven MSP principles, the nine governance themes and the six transformational flow processes

The Practitioner qualification
The purpose of the practitioner qualification is to confirm that a candidate has sufficient knowledge and understanding of the MSP guidance to act as an informed member of a programme management team. That is, someone responsible for managing, leading, supporting or advising on work within an MSP environment. This level is also required for programme management professionals progressing toward the advanced practitioner qualification, and those aspiring to become programme management professionals in the future. Candidates need to exhibit the competences required for the foundation qualification and show that they could apply MSP guidance within a programme environment. Specifically, successful candidates should be able to:

Identify additional value as a result of managing the described change as an MSP programme
Explain each of the MSP principles, the governance themes and the transformational flow activities
Explain the relationship between the MSP principles, governance themes, the transformational flow, programme information (documents) and the MSP defined programme management roles and can apply that understanding
Apply each of the MSP principles, governance themes and transformational flow processes
Produce or evaluate examples of MSP programme information (documents)
Identify activities that should be undertaken during each of the processes of the transformational flow together with the accountabilities and responsibilities of each of the defined roles
Understand which management products are input to, output from, and updated in each of the six transformational flow processes.

The Advanced Practitioner qualification
The purpose of the advanced practitioner qualification is to confirm that a candidate could lead a programme of transformational change. That is, someone capable of applying the MSP guidance in a complex programme within an environment that uses MSP. Candidates need to exhibit the competences required for both the foundation and practitioner qualifications and show that they could adapt the MSP guidance to the needs of a particular programme environment. Candidates should be able to:

Determine the most appropriate framework for change
Justify specific activities that should be undertaken by each of the defined MSP roles during each of the processes of the transformational flow
Produce, evaluate and suggest improvements to examples of MSP programme information (documents)
Evaluate the effectiveness of the application of each of the MSP principles, the governance themes and the transformational flow processes
Adapt the programme’s approach to the governance themes to the needs of both the wider programme environment and the sponsoring organization
Learn from experience and, as a result, propose alternative approaches that would improve the effectiveness of the application of each of the MSP principles, the governance themes and the transformational flow processes.

Please note - Re-Registration exams are available for both Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner. A candidate will only be required to sit the Re-Registration exam for the highest level of qualification they have achieved. For example, a candidate who holds the Advanced Practitioner certificate would only be required to take the Re-Registration exam for this level.