MSP® Certification - Managing Successful Programmes

Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) was developed as a best practice guide on Programme Management. The guide comprises a set of Principles and a set of Processes for use when managing a programme.

MSP represents proven programme management best practice in the successful delivery of transformational change through the application of programme management.

MSP is very flexible and designed to be adapted to meet the needs of local circumstances.

MSP Framework

The MSP framework is based on three core concepts:

MSP Principles. These are derived from positive and negative lessons learned from programme experiences. They are the common factors that underpin the success of any transformational change
MSP Governance Themes. These define an organization's approach to programme management. They allow an organization to put in place the right leadership, delivery team, organization structures and controls, giving the best chance for success
MSP Transformational Flow. This provides a route through the lifecycle of a programme from its conception through to the delivery of the new capability, outcomes and benefits.

Training Courses - To book your MSP course and exam, contact any of APMG-International’s Accredited Training Organizations.

Benefits for Individuals

Utilize best practice in programme management to successfully deliver transformational change.
Carry out the coordinated organization, direction and implementation of a dossier of projects and transformation activities to achieve outcomes and realize benefits of strategic importance to the business.
Manage the transition of the solutions developed and delivered by projects into the organization’s operations, whilst maintaining performance and effectiveness.
Encourage realistic expectations of the organizational capacity and ability to change.
Lead business transformation accommodating high levels of complexity, ambiguity and risk.

Benefits for Organizations

Align corporate strategy, delivery mechanisms for change and the business-as-usual environment.
Continually monitor progress, assess performance and realize benefits.
Apply a common framework of understanding for all programmes.
Add value by focusing on benefits.
Encourage feedback in order to refine future strategies based on evidence from programmes.

Foundation Level - 2011 Version

The purpose of the foundation level is to confirm you have 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 certification.

Exam Format

Multiple choice
75 questions per paper with 1 mark available per question
5 questions to be trial and not counted in scores
35 marks required to pass (out of 70 available) - 50%
60 minutes duration
Closed book.

Practitioner Level - 2011 Version

The purpose of the practitioner level is to confirm you have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the MSP guidance to act as an informed member of a programme management team. This level is also required for programme management professionals progressing toward the advanced practitioner certification, and those aspiring to become programme management professionals in the future.

Exam Format

Objective testing
8 questions per paper
40 marks required to pass (out of 80 available) - 50%
Two-and-a-half hours duration
Open-book (only the MSP Guide is allowed).

Advanced Practitioner Level - 2011 Version

The purpose of the advanced practitioner level is to confirm you could lead a programme of transformational change.

Exam Format

Essay based
up to 3 questions per paper, 75 marks available in total
38 marks required to pass (out of 75 available) - 50%
Three hours duration
Open-book (other material in the form of course notes, examples, copies of presentations, etc. can be used during this examination but no electronic aids, such as laptops, may be used).

Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner Re-Registration

All MSP Practitioners and/or Advanced Practitioners should be re-registered within 3-5 calendar years of their original certification. Find out more about the MSP® Re-Registration Examination.

In this section

	MSP - Managing Successful Programmes
	Accredited Training Providers
	Re-Registration
	Successful Candidate Register
	Frequently Asked Questions

Qualification Scheme Update

The MSP Qualification Scheme has been amended inline with the updated version of the Managing Successful Programmes guide.

Currently, candidates can choose to take exams based on either the 2007 or the updated 2011 version of the manual. From Monday 5 August 2013, candidates will only be able to sit exams based on the 2011 guide.

Find out the structure and format of the 2007 version of the exams, and how to take them.