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Background to MSP™

MSP™ (Managing Successful Programmes) is a best-practice guide from OGC describing a structured approach for managing programmes. It has been developed using the collective expertise and practical experience of some of the leading practitioners in the field. This means that it not only reflects best practice, but is also an accessible, workable technique that has been tested by those working in the real world.

So what is a programme? A programme is made up of a specific set of projects identified by an organisation that together will deliver some defined objective, or set of objectives, for the organisation. The objectives, or goals, of the programme are typically at a strategic level such that the organisation can achieve benefits and improvements in its business operation. The ability to break this change into clearly defined individual projects, with well understood interdependencies is a highly sought after skill.

MSP™ provides a comprehensive set of steps for identifying the required projects, developing buy-in across all stakeholders and navigating a path through conflicting demands. It identifies mechanisms for prioritising projects by balancing quick wins against longer-term deliverables so that they generate benefits in a timely manner and retain focus and motivation over the longer term.

There is a close link between Programme Management and project management because the programme is made up of projects and can only succeed if the projects within it succeed. The concept of a programme is that it should be more than the ‘sum of its parts’. In other words, without Programme Management, the projects would probably be able to deliver their particular outcomes but these would not be co-ordinated and integrated into the achievement of a strategic goal.

There are 3 levels of qualification, Foundation, Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner

Foundation – this is a 50 question multiple-choice exam, which is ‘closed book’ and takes 40 minutes. It's designed to test basic knowledge of programme management terminology, principles and processes

Practitioner – This exam has changed to an objective marking style, closed book paper. The paper will consist of 9 questions with a total of 180 marks available to be completed within two hours. Candidates need to achieve a mark of 90+ to pass this paper.

Advanced Practitioner - This exam will remain an essay based, open book paper. The paper will consist of up to 3 questions with a total of 75 marks available to be completed within 2 hours. Candidates need to achieve a mark of 38+ to pass the paper.

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