MSP-Practitioner Exam Dumps - PeopleCert MSP Questions and Answers

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

The 'Deploy diverse skills' principle in MSP 5th Edition emphasizes that programme management requires a specific set of capabilities that are different from project management or business-as-usual (BAU). This principle states that a programme must have access to the right people, with the right skills, at the right time. This often involves a blend of internal staff who understand the organizational culture and external experts who bring specialized knowledge or "best-in-class" technical skills that may not exist within the organization.

The SRO’s decision to use only internal staff purely to minimize costs, despite evidence that external experts would provide a higher quality solution and better adoption, is a violation of this principle. Option D is correct because MSP specifically guides that the focus should be on achieving the outcomes of benefit. If the lack of specialized skills leads to a lower quality solution or poor adoption, the programme's benefits are at risk. The principle of 'deploying diverse skills' encourages looking beyond cost to ensure the capability delivered is fit for purpose. While building internal skills (Option B) is a secondary benefit of programmes, it should not come at the expense of the programme's ability to successfully deliver its primary transformational objectives. The SRO's role is to ensure the programme is set up for success, which includes securing the necessary expertise to realize the vision.

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

In MSP 5th Edition, the 'Deliver the capabilities' process is primarily concerned with the day-to-day coordination and management of the projects within a tranche. The Programme Manager is the role responsible for the setup, management, and delivery of the programme. A key part of this role is managing the dependencies between projects and across tranches to ensure that the capability delivered is coherent and remains aligned with the target operating model.

The concern raised by the Call Centre Manager is a classic dependency and risk management issue. The work in Tranche 1 (Employment Contracts) must be aligned with the future work in Tranche 2 (Web-based portal) to avoid the "rework" mentioned. According to the MSP framework, the Programme Manager is responsible for ensuring that project managers are aware of these interdependencies. They must facilitate the necessary communication between the functional business leads (like the Call Centre Manager) and the project teams. While the SRO (Option B) is ultimately accountable for the programme's success, the active management of these operational risks and the coordination of technical work to prevent waste falls squarely within the remit of the Programme Manager. The Programme Manager ensures that the design remains consistent across the tranches, thereby addressing the root cause of the manager's concern before it manifests as an actual issue.

"Formally Approve" is not one of the MSP-defined levels of stakeholder engagement. MSP outlines levels such as Maintain Interest, Active Consultation, and Keep Informed to categorize the nature and intensity of stakeholder engagement.

The MSP Practitioner indicates: “Fourth option is face to face,” which means formal approval is a governance or decision-making activity rather than an engagement level.

Understanding and applying appropriate engagement levels ensures stakeholders receive relevant information and involvement suited to their influence and interest, facilitating support and minimizing resistance.

This categorization aids programme teams in managing communication and expectations effectively.

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

In MSP 5th Edition, the Decisions Theme requires that all significant choices regarding the programme’s direction be made based on a structured analysis of options. This is particularly crucial during the 'Design the outcomes' process, where the Target Operating Model and technical solutions are defined. The framework dictates that for any major decision, the programme team must provide the decision-makers (usually the SRO or Programme Board) with a range of choices to ensure that the best balance of cost, risk, and benefit is achieved.

Option D is the correct answer because MSP 5th Edition explicitly states that an options analysis should typically include:

A "do-nothing" option: This provides a baseline to understand the impact of not proceeding or not changing the current path.

At least two other viable options: This ensures that the board is not "cornered" into a single recommendation (as seen in the scenario) but can weigh different trade-offs.

By only presenting the imported meter option, the R&D team is not allowing the SRO to evaluate whether internal development (despite being slower) might mitigate the security risks mentioned. Presenting multiple options is a safeguard against "groupthink" and ensures that the final decision is robust, well-justified, and aligned with the organization's risk appetite. Providing only one recommendation violates the transparency and rigor required by the MSP Decisions theme.

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

The 'Close the programme' process involves the orderly decommissioning of the programme's infrastructure, including its people, assets, and technology. While the SRO is accountable for the closure, the Programme Manager is the role responsible for the practical execution of these activities.

Option C is correct because the Programme Manager’s remit includes the "management of the programme team" and the "decommissioning of the programme's organization." Managing the transfer of internal staff back into Business As Usual (BAU) roles is a management task that requires coordination with HR and functional line managers. The Programme Manager must ensure that staff are released in a way that doesn't leave the programme with "resource gaps" during the final administrative wrap-up, while also ensuring the organization reabsorbs its talent effectively. This falls under the Programme Manager’s responsibility for the Organization Theme, specifically the aspect of managing the programme's human resources throughout the lifecycle, from the initial "Plan progressive delivery" through to final closure. The BCM (Option D) focuses on the embedding of benefits in the business, not the management of the programme's internal delivery team.

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

In MSP 5th Edition, a programme can be formally closed even if all benefits have not yet been fully realized, provided that all planned project work is complete and the capabilities have been handed over. When a programme closes, any "residual" or "ongoing" activities required to secure the remaining benefits must be formally transferred to the permanent business operations.

Option A is the correct answer. The recruitment of the remaining sales roles is a functional business activity. Since the programme's projects are complete, it is no longer efficient to keep the programme infrastructure running just for recruitment. By handing this responsibility to the HR Director, the Programme Manager is ensuring that the Business Change Manager (BCM) or relevant operational leader has the support needed to finish the transformation. This is a standard part of the 'Close the programme' process, where the SRO and Programme Manager ensure that the "ownership" of the future state—and any actions needed to reach it—is firmly embedded back into BAU. This ensures that the realization of the "increased sales" benefit is not lost simply because the programme team has finished its work. It represents a successful transition from a temporary programme structure to permanent organizational accountability.

The Benefits Map is categorized as a Boundary document. Boundary documents define the programme’s scope, constraints, and interfaces with its environment, helping to establish what the programme will deliver and what lies outside its remit.

The MSP Practitioner explains: “Benefits Map is a Boundary document while others such as programme preparation plan, risk register, and stakeholder profiles are management documents.” The Benefits Map visually depicts how outputs connect to outcomes and benefits, defining the boundary between delivery and benefits realization.

Boundary documents provide critical clarity for managing expectations, preventing scope creep, and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, forming a foundation for programme governance and control.

Training, moving, and supporting operational units fall under business change and transition costs. These costs are related to the activities required to move from the current state to the future state, including training staff and supporting new operations. The MSP Practitioner clarifies: “Training and moving an operational unit is related to transition,” distinguishing these from capital costs (assets) and programme management costs.

MSP is most suited for programmes characterized by high ambiguity, such as those involving long-term societal or political change. These programmes often have evolving objectives and require flexible governance and transformational approaches.

The MSP Practitioner states: “MSP is best suited for programmes which have high ambiguity,” indicating its strength in managing complex, uncertain environments where outcomes may not be clearly defined at outset.

While MSP can be applied to technically complex projects, its focus on benefits realization, stakeholder engagement, and transformational flow makes it ideal for complex societal or political programmes where adaptability and governance are critical.