Introduction
MSP enables an organisation to deliver its strategy and gain measurable benefits from change programmes. You can use MSP within public and private sectors and in companies of all sizes.
MSP training equips students with the skills to manage their programmes consistently and effectively. MSP training can improve the programme-level decision-making of all programme management professionals.
To skip to the section most relevant to you, click one of the links below:
Start a career in programme management
Is programme management the right career for you?
Programme management is the natural career progression path for experienced project managers. Programme management is not an entry-level role as it entails managing the risks, resources, and output of multiple inter-related projects.
But, for experienced project managers looking to take the next step in their career, programme management is the perfect way to apply learned skills in new contexts and perfect your management abilities.
Related roles
If you are trying to get into programme management, it might be easier to apply for roles related to programme management rather than apply for a programme manager role. There are plenty of roles that require qualified individuals to support programme managers in their duties in complex programmes.
For example, a risk manager, a communications manager, or a benefits manager may assume responsibility for some of the more specialised programme manager tasks.
Roles and responsibilities
Programme managers have a lot of responsibilities, including:
- Planning programmes and monitoring their progress, resolving issues with corrective action when needed
- Defining programme governance measures
- Ensuring effective quality assurance through internal consistency and coherence with corporate, technical and specialist standards
- Managing programme budgets on behalf of the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO)
- Monitoring expenditures against delivered benefits
- Allocating resources and skills within a programme’s individual projects
- Managing communications with all stakeholders.
Strategic level
Programme managers operate on a strategic level. Rather than managing specific projects themselves, programme managers ensure that multiple teams produce the desired outputs, outcomes, and benefits. As such, they work closely with individual project managers, and other managers and specialists to ensure these happen.
Career growth
Programme management is an exciting career with ample opportunity for career growth. They are often one of the most senior roles in an organisation, occupying a leadership role responsible for making major decisions.
Because of this, program managers are well compensated with an average annual salary of £60,000. Programme managers who work for large, muti-national corporations often earn more than £100,000 per annum [1].
How can MSP training help me start a career in programme management?
MSP is an established best practice programme management framework. It was designed to help align programmes with organisational strategy and enable enterprise agility. MSP training helps programmes deliver consistent, beneficial outcomes while mitigating risk.
MSP consists of principles, themes, and processes that provide a clear roadmap for the programme lifecycle.
- MSP helps combine rigorous programme governance with the flexibility required to respond to rapid change
- MSP provides a practical, step-by-step approach for designing and running successful programmes
Tried and tested
MSP is the foremost programme management framework in the world. Thousands of practicing programme managers worldwide contribute to its ongoing development.
The latest version of MSP was released in 2020 and contains improvements from the lessons learned by practising programme managers in many industries and sectors.
MSP is recognised internationally. Thousands of organisations use MSP to help manage the complexities inherent in programme management.
Learning MSP
The most common way to learn about MSP is to participate in some form of training – whether classroom or self-paced. You will learn the different elements of MSP, and how they interrelate, and how to apply the different elements appropriately to your own programmes.
Learning MSP is an invaluable part of embarking on a successful programme manager career. In the UK, many programme management roles require a programme management qualification, and MSP is the main one in the UK. Holding an MSP qualification is more likely to get you an interview compared to someone without a qualification.
Learn to manage programmes effectively
Why should I learn MSP?
Effective programme management
Organisations that embrace transformation, effective leadership and strategic control are more likely to remain profitable. Effective programme management with adequate MSP training is one key to enabling change within organisations.
If you have multiple interdependencies to manage, risks to consider and conflicting priorities to resolve, MSP provides a comprehensive solution to help manage the outputs of related projects.
MSP provides a structured framework and an easily applicable approach to programme management.
Benefits of MSP training
Earning a recognised programme management qualification such as MSP is an important step toward becoming a proficient programme management professional. MSP can help guide you on your programmes and in turn, throughout your career. The confidence you can gain .from learning the world’s foremost programme management framework can be invaluable.
Benefits of MSP training include:
- You will learn a truly universal framework – MSP is applicable to programmes in any context.
- Candidates will learn best practices to help them manage programmes more effectively.
- An MSP qualification validates your understanding of programme management best practices.
- Programme management is fast becoming one of the most important professions in large, multinational corporations. Qualified programme managers will always be in demand
Advance your career with an MSP qualification
Demonstrate your dedication to professional development
Skilled programme managers must be ready to adapt, take on increased responsibility, and learn new skills as required.
Continuous professional development is essential to help support your career within the programme management profession. Doing so shows employers that you are willing to invest your own time and money into your career and that they should invest in you.
How does MSP promote career development?
MSP Foundation qualifications never expire. MSP Practitioner qualifications, however, require a certain amount of upkeep, learning and dedicated career development to maintain.
When you pass your MSP Practitioner exam, your name will be entered in the AXELOS list of successful candidates, and you will earn the status of ‘Registered Practitioner’.
Your status of Registered Practitioner shows employers that you earned your qualification within the last 3-5 years and as such, your knowledge of programme management aligns with the standards, practices and tools demanded by contemporary business needs.
When looking for their next programme manager, recruiters will always be sure their chosen candidates have maintained their Registered Practitioner status.
Maintaining your Registered Practitioner status
Maintaining your status as an MSP Registered Practitioner requires a level of self-evaluation, as well as feedback on performance from colleagues.
AXELOS requires candidates to earn a set amount of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points through work, study, and community participation. Once you have collected the required amount, you can renew your Registered Practitioner status without having to retake the MSP Practitioner exam.
A full list of activities that can contribute towards your professional development and CPD points can be found here.
Global employment opportunities
Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) qualifications are internationally recognised. They are also applicable to programmes in any context, sector, or industry. Earning your MSP qualification demonstrates your ability to work effectively in a programme management role.
If you’re searching for new work abroad, MSP can help you secure an interview that you might not otherwise be able to get.
MSP qualified programme managers are well compensated with an average annual salary of £60,000. Those with enough experience to confidently manage the programmes of large, muti-national corporations often earn in excess for £100,000 per annum [2].
About our training
Knowledge Train is an accredited training organisation for Managing Successful Programmes (MSP).
Trainers
Our trainers have years of applied experience in agile business analysis and the skills needed to help others learn from their experience.
We hire trainers who can engage and motivate our students and help them learn the intricacies of each subject.
Our rigorous selection process for trainers and ongoing improvements means you can be assured you’ll get the best training experience available.
For more information about our training courses which lead to AgileBA qualifications, see our MSP course page.
References
[1] Glassdoor. 2022. Salary: Program Manager (May, 2022) | Glassdoor. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/program-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm#:~:text=The%20average%20salary%20for%20a%20Program%20Manager%20is, United%20Kingdom%20of%20Great%20Britain%20and%20Northern%20Ireland. [Accessed 23 June 2022]
[2] Glassdoor. 2022.
