PeopleCert MSP-Practitioner - MSP Practitioner, 5th edition Exam

The false statement is that “End of tranche review drives benefits management.” In MSP, benefits management drives end of tranche reviews rather than the other way around.

The MSP Practitioner clarifies: “Benefits management drives end of tranche reviews,” meaning that benefits realization considerations inform tranche planning, execution, and review processes.

This approach ensures that benefit delivery remains central to programme governance and decision-making, promoting alignment of delivery with strategic value.

When a viable Business Case does not emerge, seeking further funding is generally not considered a normal or effective response. The MSP Practitioner explicitly states that funding should not be increased without a credible justification, as this risks wasted resources on programmes unlikely to deliver benefits.

Instead, typical responses include redesigning a less ambitious Blueprint to reduce complexity or costs, closing the programme if it is no longer viable, or exploring alternative approaches to delivering the Blueprint that might improve feasibility and value realization.

The Business Case acts as a foundational control and justification mechanism, ensuring programmes only proceed with a clear strategic rationale and realistic benefit realization plan. Continuing to invest without a strong Business Case undermines governance principles and risks programme failure.

Therefore, while redesign or closure are pragmatic approaches, “Further funding is not provided in case of inability to find a viable business case,” reinforcing MSP’s disciplined approach to investment and risk management.

Comprehensive and Detailed 200 to 250 words of Explanation From Exact Extract of project-programme-and-portfolio-management of 5th Edition MSP:

The 'Design the outcomes' process is where the high-level vision is translated into a detailed Target Operating Model (TOM) and a Benefit Framework. Once the vision is validated, the next logical step in the MSP transformational flow is to begin detailing the benefits that the new state will provide.

Option B is the correct answer because it focuses on quantifying the benefits—specifically the "increased customer numbers." Before scheduling resources (Option C) or refining risk registers (Option A), the Business Change Manager (BCM) and the Programme Manager must work with the business (the call centre managers) to define what success looks like in measurable terms. This involves creating Benefit Profiles. By holding a workshop to confirm these numbers, the BCM ensures that the benefits are realistic, owned by the business, and directly linked to the validated vision. This step is crucial for the Justification Theme, as it provides the evidence needed to build the detailed Business Case. In MSP 5th Edition, the "benefits-led" nature of programmes means that defining the measurable improvements is a top priority once the desired future state (the vision) is understood. Only after these benefits are clearly identified and documented can the programme effectively plan the delivery of the capabilities required to achieve them.

Comprehensive and Detailed 200 to 250 words of Explanation From Exact Extract of project-programme-and-portfolio-management of 5th Edition MSP:

The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) is the individual ultimately accountable for the programme. One of the SRO's primary responsibilities is to ensure that the programme is governed effectively and that all necessary controls are in place to protect the organization and ensure benefit realization. Governance includes the approval of the Programme Strategy and its subsidiary plans, such as the Risk Management Approach and the Transition Plan.

In this scenario, holding a risk review before transition is a critical governance control. Because this decision was agreed with the Sponsoring Group, it becomes a formal part of the programme’s oversight framework. Option A is correct because the SRO is the person authorized to approve the "rules of the game" for the programme. While the Programme Manager (Option B) might draft the document and the Programme Office (Option D) might maintain it, the authority to approve how the programme will be controlled—especially regarding high-stakes activities like transitioning to new customer processes—rests with the SRO. The SRO must be satisfied that the risks are being managed before the business assumes the impact of the change. This ensures that the programme remains aligned with corporate risk appetite and strategic objectives.

Capital costs are the costs of fixed assets and other tangible assets that are required for the programme. The MSP Practitioner states: “Cost of fixed assets and other assets that are found under 'Technology' head in blueprint is called Capital cost.” This typically includes equipment, buildings, and infrastructure necessary for the programme outputs.

The process of how issues will be identified, captured, and assessed is not recorded in the Issue Register itself but is instead documented in the Issue Management Strategy.

The MSP Practitioner clarifies: “How to deal with issue is identified in issue management strategy,” meaning the register contains actual issues with details such as date raised, description, and categorization but not the procedural approach.

This distinction ensures that the register remains a real-time log of current issues while the management strategy defines policies and processes for consistent issue handling across the programme.

Maintaining this separation improves clarity and operational efficiency in issue management.

Comprehensive and Detailed 200 to 250 words of Explanation From Exact Extract of project-programme-and-portfolio-management of 5th Edition MSP:

The Knowledge Theme in MSP 5th Edition is focused on the effective use of information to support the transformation. A major component of this theme is Stakeholder Engagement and the communication of information to ensure that the business is prepared for change. The Knowledge theme emphasizes that knowledge is not just about data; it is about the "flow" of information between the programme and those affected by it.

In this scenario, the weekly meetings are a mechanism for two-way communication. They serve to provide information (updates on progress) and to capture knowledge (understanding staff concerns). Option D is the correct answer because this activity is part of the programme’s approach to managing knowledge and ensuring that the human element of the transformation is handled effectively. By documenting this in the Stakeholder Engagement Approach or a similar control document during the planning phase, the programme is ensuring that it has a structured way to share explicit knowledge and capture tacit feedback from the operational front line. This is essential for maintaining morale, identifying potential issues early, and ensuring that the "knowledge" of the business's readiness for change is fed back into the programme's decision-making processes.

The probability of success is higher when programme requirements are well-defined and clearly understood. MSP Practitioner states: “Probability is high when requirements are well defined and clearly understood. Clear specifications of output increases the probability of success.” Process changes affecting technology and structures typically have clearer specifications and boundaries, making successful delivery more likely compared to changes driven by complex behaviors or historical practices.

The principle “Remaining aligned with corporate strategy” requires programmes to be both robust and flexible, enabling them to adapt to frequent and sometimes radical strategic shifts. The MSP Practitioner clarifies that “Programmes need to adjust to strategic changes of organization so they should be robust and flexible to achieve that.” This principle ensures programmes remain relevant and aligned throughout their lifecycle despite changes in organizational priorities or external conditions, enabling successful transformation delivery.