MSP-Practitioner PeopleCert MSP Practitioner, 5th edition Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2026 Updated)

The Project Brief is a key document that describes the purpose, cost, time, performance requirements, and constraints of a specific project. It acts as the initial detailed definition of a project within the programme context. The MSP Practitioner states: “Project brief describes purpose, cost, time, performance requirements and constraints of a project,” highlighting its role in defining project scope and parameters, which supports effective project delivery aligned to the programme objectives.

The progression of stakeholder engagement levels, as a stakeholder’s influence increases, follows the sequence: “Keep informed, maintain interest, active consultation.” This reflects a growing degree of interaction and involvement.

Initially, stakeholders should be kept informed to maintain awareness. As their influence or importance increases, programmes must maintain their interest by involving them more proactively. Finally, for highly influential stakeholders, active consultation is required to ensure their views are heard, concerns addressed, and their support secured.

The MSP Practitioner explains: “This option signifies increasing interaction with stakeholder,” emphasizing that engagement strategies must be tailored according to stakeholder influence and interest to maximize positive impact and minimize resistance.

This graduated approach ensures resource-effective stakeholder management, helping to build trust and alignment throughout the programme lifecycle.

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

In the 'Identify the programme' process, the goal is to establish a high-level justification for the programme. At this early stage, detailed information is rarely available, and the investment of significant time and resources into precise budgeting is not yet warranted. However, a "rough order of magnitude" estimate is essential for the Sponsoring Group to make an informed decision about whether the programme is worth pursuing.

Option B is the correct answer because the Programme Brief must contain a high-level business case. This includes an initial estimate of costs, benefits, and risks. The use of historical data (the previous electricity and gas rollout) is a common and appropriate technique for "top-down" estimation during this process. This "understanding of the cost" allows the SRO to determine if the programme aligns with the organization's financial capacity before committing to the more expensive 'Design the outcomes' and 'Plan progressive delivery' processes. While Option A is partially true in that detailed budgets aren't required yet, the reason it is appropriate is specifically to enable the initial "go/no-go" decision. Option C is incorrect because while more detail is added later, some estimation is mandatory now. Option D is a valid risk to the accuracy of the estimate, but it does not make the application of the process inappropriate; adjustments for the different utility types would simply be part of the estimation logic.

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.

The POTI (Projects, Operations, Teams, and Infrastructure) model is part of the Blueprint governance theme. It defines the high-level scope and structure of the blueprint, outlining how projects, operational activities, teams, and infrastructure work together to deliver transformation.

The MSP Practitioner confirms: “POTI model defines scope blueprint,” situating it firmly within the Blueprint theme that describes the future state and the means to achieve it.

Understanding POTI helps in mapping and managing the components necessary for successful delivery of programme benefits within the defined future organizational state.

A key attribute for a Programme Manager is a good knowledge of project management approaches. This expertise enables the Programme Manager to oversee and coordinate multiple interrelated projects, ensuring they deliver outputs that collectively realize programme objectives.

The MSP Practitioner states: “Programme Manager should have good project management skills,” emphasizing that while strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement are important, the ability to manage the complexities of project delivery is fundamental to the Programme Manager role.

While change management skills and access to key stakeholders are important complementary abilities, the core responsibility of managing project delivery across a dossier of projects necessitates strong project management knowledge. The Programme Manager acts as the bridge between strategic programme objectives and tactical project execution, requiring detailed understanding of project methodologies, risk management, scheduling, resource coordination, and quality assurance.

This knowledge supports effective integration, issue resolution, and benefits delivery, positioning the Programme Manager as a central figure in programme success.

'Leading change' principle in MSP focuses on driving transformation through the right leadership, engaging stakeholders actively, and fostering innovative solutions. However, getting approval from the sponsoring group is not considered part of this principle but rather a responsibility addressed in programme organization under governance themes. Approval processes are formalized separately from the leadership approach.

Dependency management is not considered a principal control for managing the tranches but rather a governance control related to delivering the benefits.

The MSP Practitioner explains: “Dependency management is governance control for Delivering the benefits,” which means while dependencies between projects and benefits must be managed, they are not direct tranche controls.

Principal tranche controls focus on approving and reviewing Business Cases and conducting Benefit Reviews to ensure each tranche delivers value and remains aligned with strategic objectives.

Recognizing this distinction helps ensure the programme maintains effective controls focused on stage delivery and benefit realization without conflating governance functions.

Transformational Flow in MSP defines the route a programme follows through its lifecycle—from initial conception, through delivery of new capabilities, transitioning to desired outcomes, realizing benefits, and finally closing the programme. It guides the programme’s progression through each phase to ensure the transformation is successful. This concept is central to MSP's approach to managing transformational change and is explicitly described as providing the route through the lifecycle of a programme, from conception to delivering new capability.

MSP Principles represent the foundational success factors distilled from extensive lessons learned across programmes that have succeeded or failed. They embody the best practices and mindset that underpin effective programme management. The MSP Practitioner explains: “MSP Principles are derived from lessons learned in programmes that had both positive and negative results. They represent common factors that underpin the success of any programme of transformational change.” These principles ensure that programmes remain focused on strategic alignment, benefit realization, and stakeholder engagement throughout their lifecycle. They act as the guiding philosophies that help ensure programme success regardless of the context or complexity.

The four critical tests for benefits validation are Description, Observable outcomes, Attribution, and Measurement. "Attribution" assesses whether the programme is genuinely responsible for the benefit. The MSP Practitioner confirms, "Four tests of business validation are: Description, Observable outcomes, Attribution and Measurement," emphasizing the importance of validating benefits to ensure they result directly from programme activities.

Action

Role

Provide expertise in UU's programme scheduling software

Programme office lead

Develop the process for procuring external trainers

Programme manager

Approve the process for assigning internal staff to the programme

Senior responsible owner

The Programme Office provides the technical "best practice" and tool expertise (scheduling software). The Programme Manager designs the management processes for delivery (procurement). The SRO approves the overarching governance and resource allocation rules.

"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.

The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) is accountable for confirming programme closure. This responsibility involves assessing whether the programme’s Business Case objectives and benefits have been satisfactorily met or if the programme is no longer viable.

The MSP Practitioner states: “SRO will confirm programme closure if business case is satisfied or unviable.” The SRO ensures that all closure criteria, including benefit realization, risk mitigation, and stakeholder expectations, are addressed before formally closing the programme.

While the Programme Manager manages the operational closure tasks and the Sponsoring Group provides governance oversight, ultimate closure accountability rests with the SRO to ensure a controlled and successful programme conclusion aligned to strategic goals.

The Business Change Manager (BCM) supports by confirming benefits status but does not hold closure authority.

This clarity in accountability prevents premature or inappropriate programme termination and ensures a thorough and accountable close-out process.

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 with ultimate accountability for the programme, ensuring that it meets its objectives and delivers the projected benefits. According to MSP 5th Edition, the SRO must be a senior executive who can provide leadership, has the authority to make strategic decisions, and, crucially, "owns" the Business Case. The SRO is typically the person who represents the Sponsoring Group and has the greatest interest in the programme's success.

In the context of a utility company (UU) where the programme involves major financial investment, cross-selling services to increase revenue, and significant organizational transformation, the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is the most likely candidate among the choices. While the CTO or CEngO (Options C and D) might lead specific technical projects or themes, the SRO role requires a broader view of the organizational benefits and financial viability. The CFO (Option A) is often positioned to bridge the gap between strategic corporate goals and the financial commitment required for a programme. They have the necessary seniority to hold the Programme Board accountable and to ensure that the programme remains aligned with the organization's overarching financial strategy. The SRO must be someone who can navigate the political landscape and secure the necessary resources, a role naturally suited to a C-suite executive like the CFO.

The Sponsoring Group, not the SRO, is accountable for confirming the Programme Mandate. The MSP Practitioner clearly states: "The Sponsoring Group is accountable for confirming the mandate," which means the SRO oversees delivery but does not hold responsibility for initial mandate confirmation. Meanwhile, the Programme Manager has ownership of the Vision Statement and Blueprint, aligning with delivery responsibilities.

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

The 'Plan progressive delivery' process is where the detailed plans for the tranches and projects are finalized, and the financial requirements are clarified. This process bridges the gap between the initial design and the start of actual delivery. One of the final and most critical activities in this process (and indeed in most MSP processes) is 'Agree to proceed (or close)'.

In MSP 5th Edition, the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) holds the ultimate authority to commit the organization to the investment. While the Programme Manager develops the recommendation for funding sources during the planning activities, the SRO must formally approve the entire package of plans, the budget, and the funding strategy before the programme can move into the delivery tranches. Option D is the correct answer because this specific activity represents the "gate" at the end of the planning process. By "agreeing to proceed," the SRO is providing the final authorization for the financial arrangements and the overall delivery strategy. This ensures that the SRO is fully satisfied with the justification and the resource commitments before any significant expenditure begins in Tranche 1. It is a fundamental governance checkpoint that ensures the SRO remains in control of the programme's viability and strategic alignment.

The POTI (Projects, Operations, Teams, and Infrastructure) model is used to define the high-level scope of the Blueprint. The Blueprint theme encompasses the detailed design and delivery aspects of the programme’s transformation. As per MSP Practitioner, "POTI defines high level scope of blueprint," situating the model firmly within the Blueprint Design and Delivery governance theme.

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

The 'Plan progressive delivery' process is the stage where the programme moves from high-level concepts to tangible, resourced plans. A key requirement of this process is to ensure that the resources (people, assets, and funding) required for the first tranche are not just identified, but actually committed by the business owners.

Option A is the correct answer. According to MSP 5th Edition, a programme should not proceed into a delivery tranche (such as Tranche 1) until there is a firm commitment from the functional managers who "own" the resources. The Call Centre Manager is the person who must balance the needs of the programme against the needs of business-as-usual (BAU). If they do not commit the staff during the planning process, the programme risks failing in its first tranche due to resource shortages. The Sponsoring Group (Option C) provides the high-level mandate and funding, but the actual day-to-day commitment of staff must come from the operational line managers. This commitment is a prerequisite for the SRO to "Agree to proceed." Obtaining this commitment early is a critical success factor for programme management, as it reduces the risk of conflict between the programme and the business once delivery starts.