Knowledge Train | MSP Practitioner
Instructor-led
Self-paced

MSP Practitioner training course

MSP Practitioner (and Foundation) training courses.

Advance your programme management techniques with our MSP Practitioner course. Ideal for those involved in change programmes, book now to gain both Foundation and Practitioner knowledge.

Certified by AXELOS
Exam:
Manual: (with Foundation)
Free resit:
Duration: Instructor-led: 2 or 4 days; Self-paced: 22 or 36 hours

Finance available!
Call +44 (0)207 148 5985

Dates

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Note: *All prices exclusive of VAT.

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MSP Practitioner training courses - benefits

Benefits

This MSP Practitioner (with Foundation) course offers the following benefits to students:

  • Helps programme managers deliver the required outcomes and benefits, especially those dependent on the coordination of many related, integrated project outputs
  • Enables you to better envision and communicate desired outcomes
  • Teaches you to take the initiative, pro-actively identifying and overcoming obstacles to change such as working practices, attitudes, and behaviours
  • Helps programme managers deliver tangible advantages to stakeholders while mitigating any risks to these advantages
  • Helps you learn from experience while establishing a management culture that prompts staff to continuously identify new lessons over the life of a programme
  • MSP Practitioner training provides a structured framework to help realize the benefits of complex programmes which require the output of many related projects
  • MSP Practitioner has been designed to accommodate high levels of complexity, ambiguity, and risk. This makes MSP highly suitable as a framework for transformational change
  • MSP Practitioner training helps candidates apply the MSP principles and processes in working contexts.

MSP Practitioner (with Foundation) includes

Both the 4-day MSP Practitioner (with Foundation) instructor-led course and self-paced online training include:

  • Training course materials accredited by PeopleCert
  • MSP Practitioner (and Foundation) exams
  • Free exam resit for all upcoming exams (within 12 months)
  • Digital copy of the MSP manual (Managing Successful Programmes (5th edition)) is received when booking your exam
  • MSP Practitioner (and Foundation) exam preparation
  • MSP Practitioner (and Foundation) sample exams
  • MSP Practitioner (and Foundation) timed and marked mock exams
  • Exclusive access to the PeopleCert plus membership for 12 months
  • Certificate after passing the exam(s)
  • Professional CV writing service with 1 year free update
  • 1 month free subscription to the Business Learning Library (BLL)™.

MSP Practitioner includes

Both the 2-day MSP Practitioner course and self-paced online MSP Practitioner training include:

  • Training course materials accredited by PeopleCert
  • MSP Practitioner exam
  • Free exam resit for all upcoming exams (within 12 months)
  • MSP Practitioner exam preparation
  • MSP Practitioner sample exams
  • MSP Practitioner timed and marked mock exams
  • Exclusive access to the PeopleCert plus membership for 12 months
  • Certificate after passing the exam(s)
  • Professional CV writing service with 1 year free update
  • 1 month free subscription to the Business Learning Library (BLL)™.
MSP Practitioner training courses - details

Details

Who should attend?

  • Programme managers and aspiring programme managers
  • Project managers / senior project managers
  • Business change managers
  • Operational line managers/staff operating within a programme environment
  • Other key staff involved in the design, development, and delivery of programmes, including programme board members, programme assurance, programme management office personnel
  • Portfolio management staff
  • Specialist programme staff.

Course times

MSP Practitioner course times for students:

  • This course takes 2 days
  • Classes begin at 9:00am and end at 5:00pm

Self-study MSP Practitioner course online

  • Self-study time required: 22 hours
  • Course access duration: 12 months.

MSP Practitioner (with Foundation) course times for students:

  • This course takes 4 days
  • Classes begin at 9:00am and end at 5:00pm
  • The MSP Foundation exam is generally sat on the morning of the third day, while the MSP Practitioner exam can be sat at any time after completing the course
  • There are 1-2 hours of homework to be completed after each day
  • There are 2-3 hours of pre-course study to be completed before joining the course.

Self-study MSP Practitioner (with Foundation) course online

  • Self-study time required: 36 hours
  • Course access duration: 12 months.
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MSP Practitioner training courses - learning outcomes

Course

Learning outcomes

Individuals will gain an understanding of:

  • Key concepts relating to programmes and MSP
  • How the MSP principles underpin the MSP framework
  • The MSP themes and how they are applied throughout the programme
  • The MSP processes and how they are carried out throughout the programme
  • How to apply the MSP principles in context
  • How to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP themes in context
  • How to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP processes in context.

Curriculum

MSP Practitioner (with Foundation)

This MSP Practitioner (with Foundation) course covers the following topics:

  • Course introduction
  • An overview of MSP
  • MSP principles
  • Programme organization
  • Programme design
  • Programme vision
  • Programme justification
  • Programme structure
  • Quality assurance
  • Decision-making
  • MSP processes
  • Delivering capabilities and embedding outcomes
  • Evaluating new information and closing the programme
  • Introductions and overview of the MSP Practitioner exam
  • Overview of the MSP manual
  • MSP themes and organization
  • MSP programme organization
  • MSP programme design
  • MSP justification theme
  • MSP structure theme
  • MSP Knowledge theme
  • MSP decisions theme
  • MSP processes
  • Designing programme outcomes
  • Exam revision.
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MSP Practitioner training courses - exam

Exam

MSP Foundation exam

The MSP Foundation examination is intended to assess whether the candidate can demonstrate sufficient recall and understanding of the MSP programme management framework (as described in the syllabus) to be awarded the MSP Foundation qualification.

  • Style: Multiple-choice
  • Questions: 60
  • Pass mark: 60% (36/60)
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Materials allowed: Closed-book
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Timing: At any time after completing your MSP Foundation training
  • Results: 1 business day.

MSP Practitioner exam

The MSP Practitioner exam assesses whether the candidate can demonstrate sufficient ability to apply and tailor the MSP programme management framework described in the syllabus.

  • Style: Multiple-choice
  • Questions: 70
  • Pass mark: 60% (42/70)
  • Duration: 150 minutes
  • Materials allowed: Open-book
  • Prerequisites: MSP Foundation
  • Timing: At any time after completing your MSP Practitioner training
  • Results: 3 business days.
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How to find us

20 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7AN,
England, United Kingdom.

Call +44 (0)207 148 5985

Opening hours

Monday to Friday – 09:00 to 17:15

Get in touch

IT Learning Library™ online training

MSP Practitioner course certification and skills

The MSP Practitioner course is an advanced course certification for those looking to enhance their MSP skills. This MSP course training covers the full curriculum and uses educational technology for effective distance education. The course for MSP Practitioner provides official content, practical MSP course resources, and guidance on MSP methods. It focuses on management, planning, and transformation in a strategic organisational context. You will gain expertise in governance, leadership, and managing multiple related projects.

MSP Practitioner exam, test, and course training

The MSP Practitioner certification course includes MSP exam preparation, MSP test options, and the MSP Practitioner exam. The course for MSP offers a flexible approach, combining technical knowledge and practical application. The platform supports MSP training, practitioner training course modules, and exam resources to ensure success. Program objectives are clear, focusing on business change, transformation, and programme lifecycle.

MSP Practitioner online course and global recognition

The MSP Practitioner online course aligns with industry standards and is recognised globally. It provides access to educational content, analytics, and best practice methodologies for programme management. The MSP Practitioner training is essential for careers in strategic programme management. Learn how to use MSP 5th Edition, governance themes, and MSP methods to deliver successful outcomes. Completion of the MSP Practitioner certification demonstrates capability to manage programmes, address ambiguity and risk, and achieve organisational objectives.

What are the key objectives and benefits of taking the MSP Practitioner course?

The key objectives and benefits of taking the MSP Practitioner course are to develop advanced programme management skills, enhance governance and leadership capability, and enable professionals to deliver successful strategic change within organisations.

What is an MSP Practitioner course

The MSP Practitioner course is a professional qualification designed to teach managers how to apply the Managing Successful Programmes framework in real organisational settings. It helps professionals plan, manage, and deliver complex programmes that align with strategic objectives.

Through this course, learners understand how governance themes, transformational flow, and programme management principles combine to support structured delivery. It provides a consistent approach to managing change and realising measurable benefits across multiple projects.

The MSP Practitioner course also strengthens leadership and communication skills essential for coordinating interrelated workstreams. Participants gain insight into how programme-level thinking differs from project management and why that distinction matters.

Purpose of the course

The MSP Practitioner course builds a learner’s confidence in applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. It teaches how to analyse dependencies, manage stakeholder expectations, and implement best practice framework ideas effectively.

Delegates learn to interpret programme governance documents and adapt methods for varied organisational cultures. This understanding helps maintain accountability while promoting adaptability within complex initiatives.

The course aims to improve decision-making by providing tools that ensure alignment between strategy, programme planning, and execution. As a result, organisations benefit from stronger governance and reduced delivery risks.

Who should take this qualification?

This course suits programme managers, senior project leaders, and professionals involved in change management. It is also useful for those supporting governance boards, transformation offices, or enterprise portfolios.

PRINCE2-certified project managers often pursue the MSP Practitioner certification to expand their strategic perspective. The qualification helps them coordinate multiple projects and achieve wider organisational benefits.

Individuals seeking to enhance their professional qualification portfolio can also benefit, as the MSP framework complements many global management standards.

What you learn during MSP training

The syllabus explores programme management principles, governance themes, and transformational flow. Each topic demonstrates how structure, leadership, and assurance combine to deliver successful change.

Learners also gain practical experience with risk control, stakeholder engagement, and benefits realisation techniques. These skills ensure programmes deliver measurable value to both organisations and stakeholders.

The MSP Practitioner course reinforces reflective learning by encouraging professionals to analyse case studies and share experiences. This method helps embed principles in day-to-day practice.

Governance and control

Governance themes describe how authority, accountability, and assurance are distributed throughout a programme. Understanding these concepts supports consistent reporting and effective decision-making.

Good governance provides visibility into progress and allows leadership teams to respond quickly to risks. It builds trust between programme boards, sponsors, and delivery teams.

Programme management principles

The principles of MSP guide alignment with corporate strategy and focus on benefits rather than outputs. Practitioners learn to maintain direction even when facing uncertainty or competing priorities.

Delegates examine real-world examples showing how adherence to principles leads to predictable and repeatable outcomes. They also discuss how flexibility in governance supports innovation.

Transformational flow in practice

Transformational flow defines how a programme moves from vision to delivered benefits. It includes stages for initiation, definition, delivery, and closure, each supported by governance checkpoints.

Understanding this flow helps practitioners maintain control while adapting to change. It also clarifies how leadership and risk management interact throughout the lifecycle.

Learning format and exam preparation

The MSP Practitioner course is offered through classroom, online, and blended formats. Each mode provides access to accredited training providers and official course materials.

E-learning platforms allow flexible scheduling, while classroom training offers peer collaboration and live instructor feedback. Many learners choose a blended approach for the best of both experiences.

The MSP Practitioner exam assesses practical application of concepts using scenario-based questions. Candidates are tested on their ability to interpret governance information and recommend appropriate actions.

Study time and approach

Most candidates spend around 40 to 60 hours preparing for the exam. Dividing study sessions into shorter blocks improves focus and retention.

Tutors recommend reviewing sample questions and discussing key governance themes with peers. Using mock exams and revision notes helps reinforce memory and understanding.

Digital tools allow learners to track progress and receive instant feedback on practice tests. Consistent study habits contribute significantly to exam success.

Benefits of the MSP Practitioner course

Completing the MSP Practitioner course demonstrates the ability to manage programmes strategically. It proves a candidate’s capability in governance, benefits management, and leadership under pressure.

The qualification enhances employability and credibility across public and private sectors. Employers value professionals who can manage change efficiently and align initiatives with long-term goals.

For individuals, certification provides confidence and recognition as a skilled programme management professional.

Organisational impact

Organisations gain stronger governance, improved coordination, and measurable outcomes when employing MSP-trained staff. Practitioners ensure resources are allocated effectively and risks are managed proactively.

They help standardise methods across departments and promote consistent reporting structures. This leads to more reliable decision-making and sustained business benefits.

Relation to PRINCE2

PRINCE2 focuses on project delivery, while MSP governs the broader framework that connects projects to strategic objectives. Understanding both helps professionals ensure coherence between tactical and strategic levels.

Training providers often offer combined MSP and PRINCE2 packages, allowing learners to integrate knowledge across both frameworks.

Applying MSP knowledge at work

Graduates use MSP techniques to strengthen governance boards, develop benefit registers, and engage stakeholders effectively. They apply structured planning and control to ensure successful transformation.

By embedding MSP principles, practitioners help organisations achieve sustainable performance improvements. Their leadership creates alignment between project teams and business strategy.

Experienced practitioners often mentor colleagues, contribute to governance reviews, and support continuous professional development across teams.

Conclusion

The MSP Practitioner course offers a structured, practical pathway to mastering programme management. It provides the tools and understanding needed to deliver change confidently and consistently.

By applying MSP principles and governance themes, professionals help organisations realise strategic goals. The course builds both technical competence and leadership maturity.

Through study, application, and reflection, learners transform knowledge into measurable value. Completing this course marks an important step toward long-term professional growth in programme management.

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