MSP® Practitioner Practice Exam

The MSP® (Managing Successful Programmes) Practitioner certification is an advanced qualification designed for professionals who are responsible for leading or managing complex programs. It focuses on providing a structured framework for implementing transformational change in organizations through effective program management. MSP® helps organizations break down large, complex projects into manageable interrelated projects, ensuring they align with business goals and deliver value through well-coordinated outcomes. The Practitioner level builds upon the Foundation certification, equipping candidates with the practical knowledge needed to apply MSP® principles in real-world scenarios.
Why is MSP® Practitioner important?

• Demonstrates expertise in program management for complex organizational transformations.
• Validates ability to manage multiple projects that contribute to strategic objectives.
• Enhances leadership skills for managing risks, benefits, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provides a structured framework to ensure successful program delivery and value creation.
• Increases credibility with employers and improves career advancement opportunities.
• Prepares candidates to apply MSP® principles effectively in dynamic environments.

Who should take the MSP® Practitioner Exam?

• Program Manager
• Senior Project Manager
• Transformation Lead
• Portfolio Manager
• Change Manager
• Head of PMO (Project Management Office)
• Business Change Manager
• Strategy Consultant
• Project Director
• Operations Manager

Skills Evaluated

Candidates taking the certification exam on the MSP® Practitioner is evaluated for the following skills:

• Application of MSP® framework to manage programs and transformational change.
• Managing risks, issues, and dependencies across multiple projects.
• Aligning program outcomes with strategic objectives and business goals.
• Leadership in stakeholder engagement and communication.
• Managing resources and benefits realization in complex environments.
• Governance and assurance for program delivery.
• Adaptive decision-making in dynamic and challenging program environments.

MSP® Practitioner Certification Course Outline
The MSP® Practitioner Certification covers the following topics -

1. Understand how to apply the MSP principles in context
1.1 Analyse the application of MSP principles in context

2. Understand how to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP themes in context
2.1 Assess

2.2 Organization theme
2.2.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘organization’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.2.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘organization’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

2.3 Design theme
2.3.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘design’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.3.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘design’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

2.4 Justification theme
2.4.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘justification’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.4.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘justification’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

2.5 Structure theme
2.5.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘structure’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.5.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘structure’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

2.6 Knowledge theme
2.6.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘knowledge’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.6.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘knowledge’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme


2.7 Assurance theme
2.7.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘assurance’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
a) The key documents required to support the ‘assurance’ theme:
b) The areas of focus for key roles associated with the ‘assurance’ theme
c) The recommended approach to:
2.7.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘assurance’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

2.8 Decisions theme
2.8.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘decisions’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.8.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘decisions’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

3. Understand how to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP processes in context
3.1.1 Carry out the ‘identify the programme’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.1.2 Analyse whether the ‘identify the programme’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.2.1 Carry out the ‘design the outcomes’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.2.2 Analyse whether the ‘design the outcomes’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.3.1 Carry out the ‘plan progressive delivery’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.3.2 Analyse whether the ‘plan progressive delivery’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the
programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.4.1 Carry out the ‘deliver the capabilities’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.4.2 Analyse whether the ‘deliver the capabilities’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.5.1 Carry out the ‘embed the outcomes’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.5.2 Analyse whether the ‘embed the outcomes’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.6.1 Carry out the ‘evaluate new information’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.6.2 Analyse whether the ‘evaluate new information’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process 1. Understand how to apply the MSP principles in context
1.1 Analyse the application of MSP principles in context

2. Understand how to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP themes in context
2.1 Assess

2.2 Organization theme
2.2.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘organization’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.2.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘organization’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

2.3 Design theme
2.3.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘design’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.3.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘design’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme


2.4 Justification theme
2.4.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘justification’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.4.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘justification’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

2.5 Structure theme
2.5.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘structure’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.5.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘structure’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

2.6 Knowledge theme
2.6.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘knowledge’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.6.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘knowledge’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme


2.7 Assurance theme
2.7.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘assurance’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
a) The key documents required to support the ‘assurance’ theme:
b) The areas of focus for key roles associated with the ‘assurance’ theme
c) The recommended approach to:
2.7.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘assurance’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

2.8 Decisions theme
2.8.1 Apply the MSP requirements for the ‘decisions’ theme, demonstrating an understanding of:
2.8.2 Analyse whether an approach to applying the ‘decisions’ theme is effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, and the purpose and requirements of the theme

3. Understand how to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP processes in context
3.1.1 Carry out the ‘identify the programme’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.1.2 Analyse whether the ‘identify the programme’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.2.1 Carry out the ‘design the outcomes’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.2.2 Analyse whether the ‘design the outcomes’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.3.1 Carry out the ‘plan progressive delivery’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.3.2 Analyse whether the ‘plan progressive delivery’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the
programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.4.1 Carry out the ‘deliver the capabilities’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.4.2 Analyse whether the ‘deliver the capabilities’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.5.1 Carry out the ‘embed the outcomes’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.5.2 Analyse whether the ‘embed the outcomes’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.6.1 Carry out the ‘evaluate new information’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.6.2 Analyse whether the ‘evaluate new information’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process

3.7.1 Carry out the ‘close the programme’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.7.2 Analyse whether the ‘close the programme’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process


3.7.1 Carry out the ‘close the programme’ process, demonstrating an understanding of:
3.7.2 Analyse whether the ‘close the programme’ process activities, roles and responsibilities are effective and fit for purpose, taking into consideration: the programme’s environment, the MSP principles, the themes, and the purpose and objectives of the process