PRINCE2 Programme Management (MSP) Foundation & Practitioner Combined 3-day PRINCE2® Programme Management (MSP®) Foundation & Practitioner Training & Exams

PeopleCert now positions MSP under the umbrella of PRINCE2 Programme Management, while the certification levels remain MSP® 5th edition.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the 3 days, you will be able to:

• Explain MSP’s principles, governance themes and transformational flow and how they fit together
• Set up and work within programme governance (roles, controls, assurance, decision points)
• Build a benefits-driven approach: identify, structure, track and support benefits realisation
• Align stakeholders with clear communication, sponsorship engagement and practical leadership actions
• Manage risks, issues, quality expectations and delivery dependencies in a programme environment
• Tailor MSP pragmatically to suit organisational context, scale, risk and delivery constraints
• Apply MSP thinking to a scenario (the basis of Practitioner-level work), including prioritisation and judgement calls

Course Outline

There will be a detailed introduction to present an overview of the method and to prepare participants for the information which then follows. There will then be individual topics, each focused on the themes and processes of MSP®.  For each topic, there will first be a presentation to identify the major and most important aspects of that element, followed by simple but worthwhile exercises as well as quizzes.

Day 1 — MSP Foundations

• Programme management vs project/portfolio: what changes when the goal is transformation
• MSP principles: how they guide decisions in messy, real environments
• Governance themes (core): organisation, vision, leadership & stakeholder engagement
• Benefits: defining, mapping, measuring and sustaining value
• Exercises: short, practical workshops after each topic

Day 2 — From governance to delivery (Transformational Flow)

• Blueprint design & delivery: shaping “the future state” and keeping it coherent
• Planning & control across tranches (and why it’s different from project planning)
• Business case alignment and investment decision logic at programme level
• Risk & issue management at scale (and escalation paths that work)
• Quality and assurance: keeping outcomes credible and auditable
• Foundation-style question practice + consolidation activities

Day 3 — Practitioner mindset: application, tailoring, confidence

• Tailoring MSP to context: what to adapt (and what not to)
• Scenario-based work: reading a programme situation and selecting the right MSP response
• Exam technique (for those choosing Practitioner): time management, handbook navigation approach, typical traps
• Integrated case exercises bringing governance, benefits and delivery together

2-hour live Practitioner Exam Drill, 2 weeks after the course

A focused online session designed to convert “I know MSP” into “I can pass confidently”. The date and time will be set in accordance with the availability of the trainer and the group.

• Timed Practitioner-style question set
• How to locate answers quickly (open-book strategy)
• Group debrief: why answers are right/wrong, and how to decide faster
• Final Q&A on tricky areas

Who should attend?

Ideal for professionals working in (or around) transformation:

• Programme managers / aspiring programme managers
• Senior project managers moving into programme space
• Portfolio / PMO roles supporting governance, controls and reporting
• Business change managers, benefits managers, product owners, business analysts, consultants
• Sponsors and key stakeholders who need structure and decision clarity

Prerequisites

• No prerequisites to attend the course or sit the Foundation exam (recommended reading is provided).
• To sit Practitioner, PeopleCert requires completion of an accepted prerequisite (e.g., MSP 5th Foundation).

About the Exam

MSP Foundation 5th edition exam

• 60 questions, 60 minutes, multiple choice, closed book
• Pass mark: 60%
• Language: English

MSP Practitioner 5th edition exam

• 70 questions, 150 minutes, objective testing, open book
• Pass mark: 60%
• Language: English

Exam delivery & voucher validity - PeopleCert exams can be taken via online proctoring, and vouchers are valid for 12 months. 

Take2 (re-sit) option - Your 1-year PeopleCert Membership Plus includes the Take2 option on all exams.

Online Sample Exam - Test your knowledge with the online sample exam, included in your PeopleCert Membership Plus.

Training Materials

• A pre-course reading "Quick Reference Guide" that will be made available on your participant extranet 1 week before the start of the course. You will also receive a paper copy during the course.
• PeopleCert Official Training Materials in digital format (delivered with the exam voucher)
• PeopleCert PRINCE2 Programme Management core guidance in digital format and in hard copy.
• PeopleCert Membership Plus giving you access to reference materials, free online courses, webinars and more.

In-company delivery options

For organisations with limited availability, we can also deliver:

• 2-day MSP Foundation-only (focused certification format), ideal when pulling consultants away for 3 days is difficult
• Optional follow-up: add a separate Practitioner preparation format later (including the drill session approach)