Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) — Principles and Practice

• An understanding of project management fundamentals
• Experience working in or supporting project or program environments
• Familiarity with organisational change concepts

Audience

• Programme managers and aspiring program managers
• Sponsors, senior responsible owners (SROs), and portfolio managers
• Programme office staff, change managers, and delivery leads

MSP (Managing Successful Programs) is a best-practice framework for designing, delivering and sustaining coordinated change across multiple related projects to achieve strategic business outcomes.

This instructor-led, live training (online or onsite) is aimed at intermediate-level to advanced-level professionals who wish to apply MSP concepts to plan, govern, and deliver complex programs that realise organisational benefits.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Explain MSP principles, governance themes, and the program lifecycle.
• Design program organisation, roles, and responsibilities to support delivery.
• Develop a benefits-driven program blueprint and business case.
• Establish robust governance, assurance, and stakeholder engagement practices.
• Manage risk, issues, dependencies, and benefits realisation across projects.
• Plan transition to business-as-usual and close programs effectively.

Format of the Course

• Interactive lecture and discussion.
• Scenario-based workshops and practical exercises.
• Group activities focused on program design, governance, and benefits mapping.

Course Customization Options

• To request a customized training for this course, please contact us to arrange.

Introduction to MSP and Programme Thinking

• What is a program vs a project and the value of program management
• MSP principles and the concept of transformational flow
• Programme lifecycle overview: identifying, defining, managing benefits

Programme Governance and Organisation

• Programme structure, roles, and responsibilities (SRO, Programme Manager, Board)
• Establishing a Programme Management Office (PgMO)
• Decision-making, reporting lines, and escalation paths

Vision, Blueprint and Benefits Management

• Defining vision and strategic outcomes
• Designing the blueprint and target operating model
• Benefits identification, mapping, measurement, and tracking

Programme Planning and Delivery Approach

• Creating a program plan and delivery roadmap
• Workstream and project integration, dependencies, and sequencing
• Scheduling, resource planning, and capacity considerations

Stakeholder Engagement and Communications

• Stakeholder analysis and engagement strategies
• Communication planning and change readiness activities
• Managing resistance and building sponsor commitment

Risk, Issue, and Assurance Management

• Programme-level risk and issue identification and escalation
• Assurance roles, internal/external assurance, and audit readiness
• Contingency planning and decision support

Financials, Benefits Realisation and Value Management

• Business case development and financial governance
• Tracking benefits, outcomes measurement and ROI
• Cost control, forecasting, and rebaseline practices

Quality, Configuration and Change Control

• Quality management approaches for programs
• Configuration management and change control across projects
• Standards, templates and knowledge management for repeatability

Transition to Business-as-Usual and Programme Closure

• Planning for handover, sustainment and operational acceptance
• Closure activities: benefits review, lessons learned, and documentation
• Embedding outcomes into business-as-usual processes

Practical Workshop and Case Study

• Scenario exercise: design a program governance model and benefits map
• Group presentations and peer/instructor feedback
• Action plan for applying MSP practices in the participants’ organisation

Summary and Next Steps