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Managing Successful Programmes Refresh Update
The new Managing Successful Programmes (MSP™) manual was launched in October 2007 at The Treasury. First published by OGC in 1999, MSP™ underwent its last major revision in 2003. Since then programme management has matured and programmes are increasingly seen as encompassing transformational change. The new best practice guidance has been structured around an MSP™ framework based on three core concepts: Principles, Governance Themes and Transformational Flow.
The processes of the old MSP™ have been replaced by six, more flexible, transformational flows which bear a good deal of similarity to the old processes but with more flexibility, greater depth and enhanced explanations.
The appendices have been greatly expanded and include some useful guidance on the Programme Office, hints on completing a programme healthcheck and a summary of the differences between portfolio, programme and project management. The new manual is now sprinkled with examples from real programmes.
The images on the new MSP™ manual and the guidebooks that will follow it – the MSP™ pocketbook and Think MSP™ due out later this year - all convey the grand scale of programme management through striking architectural imagery.
Lead author Rod Sowden said working on the new version of MSP™ had been “awesome.” He said he felt it was a real milestone to see the Refreshed MSP™ manual published with its smart new design.
“The new Guide represents a paradigm shift for the business community in the way they deal with transformational change. I feel hugely proud to have led a team of expert authors to deliver the Refreshed MSP™,” he said.
Richard Pharro, managing director of the MSP™ accreditation body APMG said: “The launch of the new MSP™ Guide is very exciting because the world is talking about programmes. People see Programme Management as essential for delivering quality, value for money and change. As we now live in an era of ceaseless change, trying to find a framework that helps us makes sense of it is like a quest for the Holy Grail. Having skimmed the book I don’t think it is the new Da Vinci Code but it is easy to read and more importantly, easy to follow.”
Richard explained that the MSP™ Foundation-level database of questions has been updated in line with the new manual. The Intermediate exam has also been revised to a new, objective testing format and has been re-named the Practitioner exam, and the old Practitioner exam has been upgraded and re-named Advanced Practitioner.
Early on in 2007 the OGC joined with the NHS and APMG to create a healthcare related, but sufficiently generic case study for use in the future examinations at Advanced Practitioner level worldwide. The new case study – MSP™ Care - replaces the 1999 Telekom BV case study with which many MSP™ graduates have become familiar. At 31 pages, the new case study is 14 pages shorter than its predecessor – a welcome reduction for exam candidates.
Richard Pharro said the training and consulting community was looking forward to working with the new and improved Guide. He said he hoped the market will recognize the significant changes and improvements that have been included.
“It is a highly effective remodelling that enables people to continue their existing investment in MSP™ and to move to another stage in their lifecycle of continuing improvement,” he said.
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