The MSP Advanced Practitioner Exam by Simon Buehring

(Note: The MSP Advanced Practitioner Certificate is the same as the old MSP Practitioner Certificate. This change was made by the APM Group (APMG) in September 2007).

The MSP Practitioner Certificate is awarded for the comprehensive understanding of the principles and theory of Managing Successful Programmes, the programme management methodology developed by the Office of Government Commerce and used throughout the public and private sector. The methodology is outlined in the MSP manual, and is taught by Accredited Training Organisations (ATOs) in preparation for the MSP Practitioner exam.

The awarding-body for the MSP qualifications is the APMG, which is also responsible for the PRINCE2 Project Management qualifications. According to the APMG, the pass-rate for the Advanced Practitioner exam is 70%.

Who should take the Advanced Practitioner exam?

The MSP Advanced Practitioner exam is intended for current and aspiring Programme Managers. It is also highly suitable for Business Change Managers and Programme Office Managers, as well as anybody who needs to have a thorough grasp of the MSP methodology .

Anybody who wishes to gain the MSP Advanced Practitioner qualification must first pass the MSP Foundation and Practitioner exams. These can be taken as a single course or as separate modules.

The Exam Structure

• Essay based
• 2.5 hours duration
• 3 questions
• 75 marks available
• 50% (38/75) pass mark
• Open-book (MSP manual, course notes, examples and copies of presentations etc. can be used during the exam, although no electronic aids are allowed)

The Content

If the Foundation exam tests general understanding of the MSP method, and the Practitioner exam tests the candidate’s ability to review the method’s application, then the Advanced Practitioner exam requires the candidate to themselves apply the MSP Best Practices and principles to a complex programme scenario.

The programme scenario will be provided at the time of booking the examination. Additional materials may be included with individual questions. Each of the three questions will be based on different syllabus units (see below). Candidates will be required to analyse and evaluate aspects of the programme scenario based on a thorough understanding of the MSP methodology and their own professional experience.

The MSP syllabus units:

1. Overview and Programme Management Principles
2. Governance Themes Overview
3. Organisation
4. Vision
5. Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement
6. Benefits Realisation Management
7. Blueprint Design and Delivery
8. Planning and Control
9. The Business Case
10. Risk Management and Issue Resolution
11. Quality Management (including Configuration Management and Issue Management)
12. The Transformational How
13. Programme Office

Revision and Exam Strategies

• Learn how to say what the examiner wants to hear: your trainer should have a copy of the MSP official syllabus. The APMG has provided in this syllabus detailed descriptions of what the examiners require of the candidate in each answer. Once you know what capability it is you are expected to prove, it is a great deal easier to set about proving it.

• Preparation is the key: your exam scenario will be provided at the time of booking the Advanced Practitioner examination. Ensure that you study this carefully, working out which questions you would ask if you were setting the exam questions. Practice making MSP documents related to the exam scenario.

• The most important exam strategy is good timing. There are 3 sections and 150 minutes, which allows 50 minutes per section. This does not include reading time, so make sure that you study your exam scenario carefully in advance. Above all, keep one eye on the clock and be strict about concluding each section within the time allowed.