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What is MSP?
MSP represents proven programme management good practice in the successful delivery of transformational change through the application of programme management. MSP defines programme management as "the action of carrying out the coordinated organisation, direction and implementation of a dossier or projects and transformational activities to achieve outcomes and realise benefits of strategic importance to the business".
MSP has been used and adopted within many organisations both within the public and private sectors. The experiences of those who have adopted programme management have provided invaluable inputs into the latest edition of the guide, which was published in 2007.
Today's organisations exist in a climate of constant and increasing change. Organisations that have learned how to transform themselves through effective leadership and strategic control are more likely to survive and prosper. Programme management is increasingly being recognised as key to enabling organisations to manage that transformation.
Where there is major change there will be complexity, risk, many interdependencies to manage, and conflicting priorities to resolve. Experience shows that organisations are likely to fail to deliver change successfully where:
- There is insufficient board-level support
- Leadership is weak
- There are unrealistic expectations of the organisational capacity and capability to change
- There is insufficient focus on benefits
- There is no real picture of the future capability
- There is a poorly defined or poorly communicated vision
- The organisation fails to change culture
- There is insufficient engagement of stakeholders.
Adopting a programme management approach such as MSP provides a structured framework that can help organisations avoid these pitfalls and achieve their goals.
MSP defines the roles and responsibilities of all who need to form part of the leadership of a programme. Effective leadership of a programme is achieved through informed decision-making and a flexible management regime. The key roles involved are:
- Sponsoring Group
- Senior Responsible Owner
- Programme Manager
- Business Change Managers
- Programme Office.
The MSP framework is based on three core concepts:
- MSP Principles. These are derived from positive and negative lessons learned from programme experiences. They are the common factors that underpin the success of any transformational change
- MSP Governance Themes. These define an organisation's approach to programme management. They allow an organisation to put in place the right leadership, delivery team, organisation structures and controls, giving the best chance for success
- MSP Transformational Flow. This provides a route through the lifecycle of a programme from its conception through to the delivery of the new capability, outcomes and benefits.
Click on the diagram on the right to view the MSP Framework in a larger format.
The information on this page is derived from the document "Managing Successful Programmes – The Facts" by Graham Williams, which can be downloaded in PDF format.
