MSP® 5th Edition Foundation
Why Choose Us
The MSP® Foundation certification will equip you with the knowledge you require in order to successfully manage, deliver, and realise the benefits of programmes. If you would like to ensure you possess all the skills needed to effectively manage a programme, this is the certification for you!
What’s included
In your MSP® 5th Edition Foundation Course
The MSP® 5th Edition Foundation certification gives you the skills to support and coordinate multiple projects, helping organisations deliver complex change and achieve their strategic goals. It’s the ideal starting point for anyone looking to grow in programme and transformation management. With expert support at every step, you’ll gain a respected, industry-recognised qualification to take your project management career further.
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What You Will Learn
The MSP 5th Edition Foundation course introduces you to the globally recognised framework for Managing Successful Programmes (MSP). The Foundation level provides a structured understanding of how to design, lead, and deliver programmes that drive transformational change. By exploring MSP’s principles, themes, and processes, you will learn how to align projects to strategic objectives, deliver lasting benefits, and maintain effective governance. This course is ideal if you are looking to build confidence in programme management and take the first step towards Practitioner level.
MSP Principles
Gain a clear understanding of the seven universal principles that guide programme management. You will learn why principles such as remaining aligned to strategy, leading with purpose, and bringing together the right people are critical to success. By the end of this section, you will appreciate how these principles underpin every decision and activity within a programme.
MSP Governance Themes
Explore the seven governance themes that provide the control, structure, and assurance needed in complex change initiatives. You will learn how themes such as organisation, design, justification, structure, knowledge, assurance, and decisions create a framework for managing programmes effectively. This module shows how governance themes link strategy to delivery, ensuring accountability and alignment throughout.
MSP Processes
Understand the lifecycle of a programme through the key MSP processes. You will study how programmes are identified, designed, planned, delivered, and closed. This section also highlights the importance of continual learning and adaptation, showing how processes ensure programmes remain responsive to organisational change.
Programme Organisation and Leadership
Learn how to establish effective programme organisations and leadership roles. You will gain awareness of responsibilities across the sponsoring group, programme board, and programme manager, as well as how to engage business change managers and stakeholders. This module highlights how effective leadership, collaboration, and decision making create the conditions for success.
Programme Design and Blueprinting
Discover how programmes define their vision and design blueprints for future capability. You will learn how to create target operating models that guide change, align with strategic objectives, and shape the projects required to deliver benefits. This section introduces the tools that help organisations move from vision to reality.
Business Case and Benefits Management
Understand the importance of building strong business cases to justify investment in change. You will study how programmes define, track, and realise benefits, ensuring that outcomes deliver measurable value. This section also covers benefits profiles and realisation plans, helping you see how benefits are sustained after the programme ends.
Risk and Issue Management in Programmes
Explore how risk and issue management is scaled up at the programme level. You will learn how programmes anticipate, assess, and respond to risks that could affect multiple projects or strategic objectives. By understanding programme-wide risk management, you will see how resilience is built into transformational change.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
Learn how to engage, manage, and communicate with stakeholders across complex environments. You will study how to build communication strategies that maintain trust, overcome resistance, and sustain commitment to change. This module highlights why communication is one of the most important success factors in programme management.
Programme Quality and Assurance
Understand how assurance activities provide confidence that programmes are on track to deliver outcomes and benefits. You will gain awareness of quality planning, monitoring, and review techniques that provide transparency for decision makers. This section shows how assurance supports informed governance and timely interventions.
Career and Progression Prospects
MSP® Foundation skills are valued across industries that manage complex change, from government to finance to technology. This certification shows you understand the principles and framework of programme management, enabling you to support and coordinate multiple projects that drive strategic outcomes. It’s a solid first step toward senior programme and transformation roles, giving you the confidence to contribute to large-scale change initiatives.
What You Could Earn
We want to help you achieve the best outcome in your studies so you can flourish in your desired path.
Junior Programme Manager
per year
Programme Manager
per year
Senior Programme Manager
per year
Included with your course.
Stay on track with direct access to expert recommendations, general support, and answers to all your questions. Kick-start your course with a 45-minute guidance session within 1-week of enrolment, followed by regular monthly check-in emails. You can also request a live session with your trainer halfway through the course.
Translate your theory into practical experience with exposure to real-life project management by shadowing a virtual project manager.
Connect with a thriving community of certified PRINCE2 Project Managers and current students to exchange essential course tips and industry-specific insights to help you along your journey.
Get personalised interview coaching from qualified professionals who know what employers are looking for to secure your dream job!
Stay motivated throughout your learning journey with a personal study coach who provides all the ad-hoc support you need to succeed in your certification.
Get instant help when you need it! Our live chat team is always ready to assist with prompt, real-time responses—and when not available, you’ll have an interactive 24/7 AI Tutor Bot standing by for immediate answers.
While you can finish the course in less time, we still want you to study at your own pace with 3 months of full access to your course materials; giving you plenty of time to revisit the content whenever you need.
Change Managing Successful Programmes/MSP® Foundation Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions, and we have all the answers
Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) is a programme management methodology that provides a framework for managing programmes effectively. It outlines a series of steps, processes, and best practices to ensure that programmes are aligned with business objectives, deliver benefits, and achieve the desired outcomes. MSP® is perceived to be a holistic process; you might use MSP® to plan and coordinate a series of related projects or initiatives that aim to achieve a strategic goal.
MSP® Foundation is targeted at anyone who manages programmes, or anyone looking to be a part of a Programme Team. It’s key for other staff involved in the design, development, and delivery of programmes, too.
The MSP® Foundation certification is assessed and awarded by means of an examination. This exam comprises of 60 multiple choice questions (meaning you will have to select your answers from the options you are provided with). Your exam will be 60 minutes long, and you will be required to score 60% (36 out of 60) or higher in order to pass. This is a closed-book exam.
This certification serves as an introduction to the MSP® framework and will essentially validate your knowledge and understanding of the MSP® so that you are able to work with, or as part of, a programme management team in a large-scale project environment. It will enhance your coordination, adaptability, communication, and management skills.
As of 2023, PeopleCert Best Global Practice certifications need to be renewed after 3 years of having obtained your qualification. This is to ensure your certification remains in line with current best practices within your industry.
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Learn more by speaking to one of our consultants
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