MSP Training
All of the APMG accredited courses we offer (ITIL, PRINCE2 & MSP) are subject to regular review and, in line with continual improvement are updated from time to time.
MSP is the latest to have received some updates, so here we will look at the changes, why they were made and how they might affect the MSP courses and certifications we offer.
If you want to learn more about MSP – read our summary of MSP Principles
Firstly, we must say that this is a refresh, rather than an update so the changes aren’t major, the changes are mainly clarifications and improvements of the concepts that were introduced in the 2007 update.
The changes have been made to the MSP Governance themes (the MSP Principles and Transformational Flow remain unchanged). A summary of the changes to the Governance themes is as follows:
Programme Organisation
- The role of the BCM (Business Change Manager) and their supporting team has been clarified in this chapter.
Vision
- Minor changes have been made here to differentiate between the overarching Vision and Vision Statement.
Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement
- There have been few changes made to this chapter as it was updated considerably in the 2007 update. The nature of leadership in transformational change and the importance of stakeholder analysis are stressed.
Benefits Management
- This chapter has been renamed (from Benefits Realisation Management) and some fairly major changes have been made. The 2007 update introduced some terminology was different from the rest of the book, this has been amended to create a more consistent vocabulary. Guidance on benefits (which some organisations found problems in this area) has been simplified.
Blueprint Design & Delivery
- This chapter remains largely unchanged but some additional guidance is provided on Tranches.
Planning & Control
- This chapter also contains additional information on Tranches, along with clarification on the relationship between programme & project control points. Information on the Monitoring & Control Strategy role has been improved and more reference is made to the Realising Benefits chapter (in Transformational Flow)in regard to Transition Planning.
The Business Case
- Again, minor changes to this chapter; the relationship between ongoing commitment to the programme (with effective stakeholder engagement) and lifting the net benefit line is also covered in more detail.
Risk & Issue Management
- Some significant changes have been made to this chapter. Risk Aggregation is now covered and increased importance is placed on the use of early warning indicators. A new supporting cycle (including change control) for Issue Management is now also included.
Quality and Assurance Management
- This chapter has also been renamed (from Quality Management) to reflect the increased importance of the role of integrated assurance. People development is now emphasised in this chapter.
Overall, the main changes that have been made are:
- A section has been added to each Governance theme chapter describing how that theme relates to the Transformational Flow processes
- Hints sections have been added throughout the manual offering practical ways to apply MSP.
- Tranches as a concept have been clarified, and the risk of overlapping tranches emphasised.
- Governance Theme ‘processes’ have been renamed ‘cycles’ to avoid confusion with Transformational Flow processes.
- Assurance has been added to the Quality Management section
- The vocabulary used in the Benefits Management chapter has been improved and brought into line with the rest of the publication.
- The layout of Appendix A has been improved.
How will these changes affect our courses, the exam and your qualifications?
Well, if you already hold MSP Certification you will not need to update your qualification or take a bridging exam, the qualification you hold still remains valid. We will be updating our course materials and pre-course work to reflect these changes.
If you have already started studying for one of our MSP courses, the exam you take will be based on the existing syllabus.