MSP® Foundation and Practitioner

MSP® Foundation and Practitioner Outline

Module 1: Understand Key Concepts Relating Programmes and MSP 

• Recall the Definition of: 

• Programme 

• 3 Lenses of MSP: Principles, Themes, and the Processes Across the Programme Lifecycle 

• Enterprise Agility 

• Describe: 

• Characteristics of a Programme 

• Common Reasons Why Programme Management Is Used 

• Common Challenges That MSP Is Designed Address 

• Programme Environment 
   

Module 2: Understand How the MSP Principles Underpin the MSP Framework 

• Explain the MSP Principles: 

• Lead with Purpose 

• Collaborate Across Boundaries 

• Deal with Ambiguity 

• Align with Priorities 

• Deploy Diverse Skills 

• Realise Measurable Benefits 

• Bring Pace and Value 
   

Module 3: Understand the MSP Themes and How They Are Applied Throughout the Programme 

• Explain: 

• Purpose of the Programme Strategy 

• Purpose of Programme Governance 

• Purpose of Programme Plans 

• Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle and Its Applicability Risks and Issues 

• Organisation Theme: 

• Explain the Purpose of the Organisation Theme 

• Describe the Key Relationships Between the Organisation Theme and the Principles 

• Explain the Purpose of the Key Documents Required Support the Organisation Theme 

• Define Key Concepts Related the Organisation Theme 

• Describe the Purpose and Responsibilities of Roles 

• Design Theme: 

• Explain the Purpose of the Design Theme 

• Describe the Key Relationships Between the Design Theme and the Principles 

• Explain the Purpose of the Key Documents Required Support the Design Theme 

• Define Key Concepts Related the Design Theme 

• Describe the Types and Paths 

• Justification Theme: 

• Explain the Purpose of the Justification Theme 

• Describe the Key Relationships Between the Justification Theme and the Principles 

• Explain the Purpose of the Key Documents Required Support the Justification Theme 

• Define Key Concepts Related the Justification Theme 

• Describe the Types and Paths 

• Structure Theme: 

• Explain the Purpose of the Structure Theme 

• Describe the Key Relationships Between the Structure Theme and the Principles 

• Explain the Purpose and Characteristics of the Key Documents Required Support the Structure Theme 

• Define Key Concepts Related the Structure Theme 

• Describe the Types and Paths 

• Knowledge Theme: 

• Explain the Purpose of the Knowledge Theme 

• Describe the Key Relationships Between the Knowledge Theme and the Principles 

• Explain the Purpose of the Key Documents Required Support the Knowledge Theme 

• Describe the Types and Paths 

• Assurance Theme: 

• Explain the Purpose of the Assurance Theme 

• Describe the Key Relationships Between the Assurance Theme and the Principles 

• Explain the Purpose of the Key Documents Required Support the Assurance Theme 

• Define Key Concepts Related the Assurance Theme 

• Describe the Types and Paths 

• Decisions Theme: 

• Explain the Purpose of the Decisions Theme 

• Describe the Key Relationships Between the Decisions Theme and the Principles 

• Explain the Purpose of the Key Documents Required Support the Decisions Theme 

• Define Key Concepts Related the Decisions Theme 

• Describe the Types and Paths 
   

Module 4: Understand the MSP Processes and How They are Carried Out Throughout the Programme 

• Explain the Purposes of the Processes Within the MSP Lifecycle 

• Explain the Objectives of the MSP Processes 

• Explain the Context of the MSP Processes 
   

Module 5: Understand How to Apply MSP Principles in Context 

• Analyse the Application of MSP Principles in Context: 

• Lead with Purpose 

• Collaborate Across Boundaries 

• Deal with Ambiguity 

• Align with Priorities 

• Deploy Diverse Skills 

• Realise Measurable Benefits 

• Bring Pace and Value 
   

Module 6: Understand How to Apply and Tailor Relevant Aspects of the MSP Themes in Context 

• Assess: 

• Component Parts of the Programme Strategy 

• Component Parts of the Programme Plans 

• How to Apply the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle 

• Organisation Theme 

• Apply the MSP Requirements for the Organisation Theme, Demonstrating an Understanding of: 

• Analyse Whether an Approach to Applying the Organisation Theme 

• Design Theme 

• Apply the MSP Requirements for the Design Theme, Demonstrating an Understanding 

• Analyse Whether an Approach to Applying the Design Theme is Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration 

• Justification Theme 

• Apply the MSP Requirements for the Justification Theme, Demonstrating an Understanding 

• Analyse Whether an Approach to Applying the ‘Justification’ Theme is Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration 

• Structure Theme 

• Apply the MSP Requirements for the Structure Theme, Demonstrating an Understanding 

• Analyse Whether an Approach to Applying the Structure Theme is Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration 

• Knowledge Theme 

• Apply the MSP Requirements for the Knowledge Theme, Demonstrating an Understanding 

• Analyse Whether an Approach to Applying the Knowledge Theme is Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration 
   

Module 7: Understand How to Apply and Tailor Relevant Aspects of the MSP Processes in Context 

• Carry Out the Identify the Programme Process, Demonstrating an Understanding of: 

• Activities, Inputs and Outputs 

• Recommended Roles and Responsibilities Within the Process 

• How the Themes May be Applied 

• Analyse Whether the Identify the Programme Process Activities, Roles and Responsibilities are Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration 

• Carry Out the Design the Outcomes Process, Demonstrating an Understanding of: 

• Activities, Inputs and Outputs 

• Recommended Roles and Responsibilities Within the Process 

• How the Themes May be Applied 

• Analyse Whether the Design the Outcomes Process Activities, Roles and Responsibilities are Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration: 

• Carry Out the Plan Progressive Delivery Process, Demonstrating an Understanding of: 

• Activities, Inputs and Outputs 

• Recommended Roles and Responsibilities Within the Process 

• How the Themes May be Applied 

• Analyse Whether the Plan Progressive Delivery Process Activities, Roles and Responsibilities Are Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration 

• Carry out the Deliver the Capabilities Process, Demonstrating an Understanding of: 

• Activities, Inputs and Outputs 

• Recommended Roles and Responsibilities Within the Process 

• How the Themes May Be Applied 

• Analyse Whether the Deliver the Capabilities Process Activities, Roles and Responsibilities Are Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration: 

• Carry out the Embed the Outcomes Process, Demonstrating an Understanding of: 

• Activities, Inputs and Outputs 

• Recommended Roles and Responsibilities Within the Process 

• How the Themes May Be Applied 

• Analyse Whether the Embed the Outcomes Process Activities, Roles and Responsibilities Are Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration 

• Carry out the Evaluate New Information Process, Demonstrating an Understanding of: 

• Activities, Inputs and Outputs 

• Recommended Roles and Responsibilities Within the Process 

• How the Themes May Be Applied 

• Analyse Whether the Evaluate New Information Process Activities, Roles and Responsibilities Are Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration 

• Carry out the Close the Programme Process, Demonstrating an Understanding of: 

• Activities, Inputs and Outputs 

• Recommended Roles and Responsibilities Within the Process 

• How the Themes May Be Applied 

• Analyse Whether the Close the Programme Process Activities, Roles and Responsibilities Are Effective and Fit for Purpose, Taking into Consideration 

What You’ll Learn in this Course

The MSP® Foundation & Practitioner course builds your expertise from core programme management concepts to practical application in real-world change initiatives. It prepares you to manage complex programmes, lead transformation initiatives, and ensure strategic goals are consistently achieved. 
 

• Learn to apply MSP across sectors undergoing significant change 

• Learn how to align multiple projects with strategic business objectives 

• Learn to manage programme risks, dependencies, and stakeholders effectively 

• Learn to structure programmes with defined roles, responsibilities, and benefits 

• Learn how to lead successful programme delivery that supports long-term growth 

• Learn to realise and sustain measurable benefits throughout the programme lifecycle 

MSP® Foundation Exam Information

The MSP® Foundation exam evaluates your understanding of the MSP framework. It focuses on the key principles, governance themes, and transformational flow that underpin effective programme management. The details below outline the current structure of the exam.

• Question Type: Multiple-choice
• Total Questions: 60
• Total Marks: 60 Marks
• Pass Mark: 60%, 36/60 Marks
• Duration: 1 Hour
• Open Book/ Closed Book: Closed Book
   

MSP Practitioner 5th Edition Exam Information

The MSP® Practitioner Exam is intended to assess whether the candidate can use and tailor the MSP® Programme Management framework to be awarded the MSP® Practitioner qualification. The structure and details of the MSP® 5th Edition Practitioner Exam are given below.

• Question Type: Objective Testing
• Total Questions: 70  
• Total Marks: 60 Marks
• Pass Mark: 60%, 42/70 Marks
• Duration: 150 Minutes
• Open Book/ Closed Book: Open Book