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Using MSP™ in Project Management

Managing Successful Programmes (MSP™) is rapidly gaining in popularity if the uptake of the professional examinations is an appropriate measure. Over 10,000 have already taken one or more of the examinations since the revision of the manual in 2003.

The reasons for this rate of uptake are many and varied but one of the main ones has to be the recognition that, whilst structured project management through PRINCE2™ is important and very useful, it does not deliver the expected benefits for the organisation unless something “bigger” is in place. Projects run through PRINCE2™ are great at delivering the capability an organisation needs but there must be some mechanism to take that capability and turn it into the productive, benefit-delivering, business-as-usual activity that the organisation really needs.

This is where MSP™ and programme management steps in. Run a number of independent projects and the deliverables may or may not be what is required, expected or useful. With a programme overseeing the projects, there is every-likelihood the real benefits for the organisation will be realised.

The examination structure for MSP™ tries to assess more than just attendance at a course, regardless that doing so in itself is probably a useful and worthwhile activity.

The Foundation exam is strictly entry level and simply ensures that candidates have read the manual and can understand the main elements of it.

The Intermediate exam checks that candidates understand the processes and principles on which MSP™ is based.

The top level Practitioner exam requires the candidates to really understand a complex scenario that emulates real life programme management. Success at this level means that the candidate really understands how MSP™ should be used in the real world. This in turn means that, since MSP™ is based on best practice of how to manage programmes, the Practitioner should be well placed to take on the huge challenges of running major programmes within their own environment. This should result in the true business benefits being realised as was originally intended when the projects and programmes were initially devised.

Andy Taylor
MSP™ Chief Examiner
APM Group Ltd.
Jul 06

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