MSP® Foundation and Practitioner 5th edition E-learning

Why should I take the Managing Successful Programmes Foundation and Practitioner E-learning course?

MSP LogoMSP e-learning gives you a convenient and cost-effective route to MSP certification. You can fit the study around your own schedule and continue to work while you add MSP to your qualifications in your own time. Our material is developed by experts and fully accredited.

The MSP Foundation and Practitioner course will give you the skills and knowledge for leadership roles in major change programs. As a certified MSP Practitioner, you will be ready to apply the MSP themes, principles and transformational flow to different types of program. You will be able to tailor MSP to different types of programmes and analyze program situations to make appropriate decisions. As a qualified MSP Practitioner, you will be able to align multiple projects with strategic requirements and co-ordinate product delivery to ensure real benefits for your organization.

Can I see a Demo of your MSP Online Learning?

Yes. Request a MSP demo and we’ll set you up with a preview so you can try out the system first.

Who should take this e-learning course?

Typical job roles include:

  • Program Sponsor, Director or Senior Responsible Owner responsible for delivering the program
  • Program Managers responsible for the setup, management and delivery of a program
  • Portfolio / Program Office staff who provide information and standards to the program management team
  • Business Change Managers or Change Agents who work with the program to embed new products into business as usual and realize benefits
  • Project Managers who manage projects in the program or want to advance their career to the program level

What is included:

The course includes:

  • 1-year access to our accredited MSP e-Learning material
  • Official manual: “Managing Successful Programmes” (Hard copy)
  • Accredited course material including sample exam questions
  • MSP Foundation and Practitioner exams + ebook
  • 31 PDUs if you are a PMP

What will I learn:

  • Create value by ensuring that program investment is aligned with strategic needs
  • Lead change by managing complex tasks and multiple stakeholders
  • Plan and control programs using the MSP transformational flow
  • Deliver measurable improvements with the tools in MSP’s benefits management theme
  • Manage multiple projects to deliver new capabilities
  • Reduce uncertainty and aggregate risks and issues at the program level
  • Identify and communicate the better future which will be delivered by your program.

What are the course prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this course. Having some knowledge of project or programme management is beneficial.

What are the course contents:

This is the full PEOPLECERT International MSP 5th edition course. It covers the MSP syllabus to Practitioner level.

Key Learning Points:

An introduction to MSP

  • What is program management
  • Why use program management
  • Types of program: vision led, emergent or compliance
  • Program impacts – specification led, business transformation or political & societal change
  • When to use MSP

MSP principles

  • Remaining aligned with corporate strategy
  • Leading change
  • Envisioning and communicating a better future
  • Focusing on the benefits and threats to them
  • Adding value
  • Designing and delivering a coherent capability
  • Learning from experience

MSP Governance themes

  • Program organization
  • Vision
  • Leadership and stakeholder engagement
  • Benefits management
  • Blueprint design and delivery
  • Planning and control
  • The Business Case
  • Risk and issue management
  • Quality and assurance management

The MSP transformational flow

  • Identifying a program
  • Defining a program
  • Managing the tranches
  • Delivering the capability
  • Realizing the benefits
  • Closing a program

Adopting MSP

Program office

Program Health checks

Exam:

Which exams are included in this course?

This course includes the MSP Foundation and Practitioner exams.

MSP Foundation exam

This is your first exam designed to test your knowledge and understanding of MSP

  • 60 multiple choice questions with 1 mark for each question
  • Closed book exam
  • 60 minutes duration
  • 60% needed to pass so a score of 36 / 60 is required

MSP Practitioner Exam Your second exam tests your ability to apply the MSP guidance to a realistic scenario. You are required to show that you can analyze situations and make decisions using the standard appropriately. You must pass the Foundation exam to sit the Practitioner.

  • 70 multiple choice questions with 1 mark for each question
  • Open book exam
  • 2h30 duration
  • 60% needed to pass so a score of 42 / 70 is required

When are the exams taken?

When you are ready to take the exams, we will send you a prepaid voucher for the exam authority PeopleCert. You will be able to schedule the exams in the portal anytime you want 24/7. You can change the time of the exams as you please. However, if you change the date 48hrs prior to start time, PeopleCert will charge a fee. A webcam is required to identify yourself to the proctor with a photographic ID and then you can do the exams online from home.

What are the technical requirements for the online exam?

A personal computer is recommended to avoid any technical issues. If you are using an office computer, make sure you have the access rights or IT support at the time of the exam. For the online proctored exam an interface needs to be installed. Administrative rights are therefore essential. Exams can be taken on a recent MAC or PC with Windows. A webcam and working microphone (internal or external) are required. The online exam is not available on a tablet (Ipad) or Cellular phone at the moment.

What’s the best way to prepare for the MSP exams?

Set your exam date first. Then work towards it. The material takes 20 hours study. So, work out how long that is going to take you and then book the exam. This way you have a clear target to aim at. This will help you stay on schedule.

Do I need ID for the MSP exams?

You must have a photographic ID with you. A driver’s license or passport is fine. A work ID, with photograph, is also acceptable.

English is not my native tongue?

For exams done in another language than your native tongue, you will be attributed 25% more time. We can also make arrangements to help with dyslexia or medical issues regarding exams if you submit a doctor’s note in advance.

How long does my MSP qualification last?

The MSP certificates are valid 3 years.
You can join the MyAXELOS membership for a small fee, maintain your digital badge and certification by recording 20 points of continuous development per year. Otherwise retaking the exams after 3 years will be costly.

Candidates who do not renew will still be included on the Successful Candidates Register (SCR) and the Candidate Verification Service, but a note will be added to their record to indicate that their certification needs to be renewed to align with current certification requirements.

What happens if I don’t pass an exam?

If you don’t pass an exam, you can do a re-sit. We will send you a new voucher code for an additional fee. If you feel insecure, it is possible to purchase a re-sit insurance from PeopleCert up to 15 minutes prior to taking the exam. This will provide you a second attempt, if necessary, within the following 6 months.

FAQs:

How many hours of study are required to pass the exam?
You need about 20 hours study to get ready for the Foundation exam. And 10 hours more to get to the Practitioner level.
Can you compare MSP e-learning vs virtual?
Good question. MSP e-learning is flexible – you can fit the learning around your schedule. You don’t have to take time off to attend a course and you can work anywhere – at home, on the road, in hotels etc. Like our virtual training the material is fully accredited and will prepare you for the examination. But sometimes, self-study learning can be too flexible, so you need to be disciplined and set yourself a clear schedule. MSP instructor-led training is the quickest route to MSP certification – it is all done in 5 days. During a virtual classroom event, you get access to a MSP accredited trainer. Many students said that the trainer’s insights and enthusiasm increased their understanding of the methodology. The opportunity to ask specific questions and get immediate answers is one of the biggest benefits of instructor-led training. There are also networking opportunities so you can share and learn from other’s experiences.
I am thinking about buying the MSP manual and self-studying?
Our e-learning package includes everything and is built to save you money and trouble. Our fully accredited e-learning package includes online lessons, the latest practice exam questions, shipping, examination costs and proctor fees. There is nothing else to pay and you have a higher chance of passing your MSP exam.
Do I need to pass PRINCE2 before taking the MSP course?
You don’t need to pass or have any knowledge of PRINCE2 project management to attend MSP training. If you are a Program Sponsor or Programme Manager, you are not required to manage the individual projects in your programme so PRINCE2 is not essential before attending the MSP course. MSP and PRINCE2 share a common glossary of terms so, if you have taken PRINCE2, you will already know some of the terminology which is used in MSP.
How does MSP distinguish between a project and program?
For MSP, a programme is a temporary structure set up to co-ordinate related projects and activities. Although a program is temporary it’s life span will probably be several years and the end may not be exactly determined, although the programme is always working towards this. The programme delivers outcomes and benefits to achieve strategic objectives. In contrast, a project has a well-defined life span and produces clear outputs or products according to a specified business case. The MSP course shows you how to distinguish between a large project and a programme and when it would be suitable to apply MSP.
Can I take only the Practitioner course to Re-Register?
No. The 5th edition of MSP has many changes. If you wish to Re-Register as a MSP Practitioner under the latest version, you must pass the MSP Foundation 5th edition exam before taking the Practitioner exam. Therefore, it’s best to take the full course presented here to obtain a worthwhile refresher of the MSP method.
What are the technical support hours for e-learning refresher course?
For any questions regarding the material or help on the e-learning course, we can be reached between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone). For technical issues, the IT team is located in the UK, so tech support is only available between 8 a.m. and Noon (Eastern Time Zone).
Can exams be taken on paper?
No. As of February 1st, 2022, the exam authority PeopleCert has eliminated paper exams in favor of online.
I am not sure my computer is up to date for the online exam?
You can use the contact form to send us a message in advance. We will be able to verify if your computer meets the technical requirements.
What is the process for a proctored exam?
The exam authority has a strict procedure for online exams to ensure the security of the session. Some of them are: You will be asked to be alone in a well-lit room with no background noise. The proctor will ask you to rotate your webcam in order to verify the area. Your desk must be clean of papers, books or notes. Glass walls and/or doors are prohibited unless they are covered. You will be asked to position yourself in a way that doors are behind you and visible to the proctor through the webcam. You can use the contact form to send us a message in advance if you wish to obtain more information on the remote proctoring process.
How many PDUs do I get for this course?
PMPs can claim 22 PDUs at the PMI for the MSP Foundation and Practitioner E-learning course. (11 Ways of working, 4 Power skills, 7 Business acumen).
MSP® is a registered trademark of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved. The Swirl logo™ is a trademark of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved. The E-learning version of this course is offered by SPOCE, an Accredited Training Organisation of PEOPLECERT International.  

MSP® Foundation and Practitioner 5th edition E-learning