Course Overview
This five-day course provides delegates with a comprehensive understanding of the 2007 version of the OGC framework for Programme Management, 'Managing Successful Programmes' (MSPT), and how it can be applied to live programmes. Strategic change is becoming a constant as many businesses realign themselves to stay ahead of the competition. This frequently results in the need to manage a range of initiatives across multiple disciplines within the organisation. Programme Management is the co-ordinated management of a dossier of often complex projects that change organisations to achieve benefits that are of strategic importance. Programme Management involves:
- working within and changing the culture of an organisation
- realising benefits
- delivering capability
This is an intensive five day course using a combination of lectures, exercises, case studies, workshops and examination preparation.
Delegates will be sent the MSPT manual for pre-reading, some two weeks ahead of the course and also a case study to review. It is strongly recommended that 10 - 12 hours of pre-reading of the MSPT manual is completed prior to attendance on the course. Familiarisation time on the case study material and sample foundation questions using the specially written software provided, is also recommended. The case study forms the basis of exercises and workshops within the course to explore the application of the MSPT framework and techniques to real programmes.
Audience
The course is recommended for managers from a programme, project or line management background with full-time responsibility within a programme environment.
Skills Gained
Delegates will learn how to:
- use programme management as a tool for achieving business change
- apply MSPT to their programme(s) in a manner appropriate to their organisation and programme
- act as a full time member of a programme management team
- have attained the competencies associated with the practitioners level qualifications
- have had the opportunity to sit the MSPT Foundation and Practitioner examinations
Examinations
Delegates wishing to take and pass the MSPT Foundation and Practitioner examinations are advised that approximately two hours consolidation and preparation work will be required during each evening of the course. All delegates will sit the Foundation examination on the fourth day of the course and the Practitioner examination on the last day. Those delegates not wishing to take the Practitioner examination should book on the 4-day Programme Management Foundation course (course code QAPMF-2). Experienced Programme Managers who aspire to the new award of Advanced Practitioner will also want to book onto the follow-on Advanced Practitioner course (course code QAPMAP-2) once they have received notification of success in the Practitioner exam. This follow-on course will be available in 2008. The Practitioner course carries the award of 37.5 Professional Development Units (PDU's) for PMI re-certification. Prerequisites
The MSPT Practitioner examination requires candidates to demonstrate that they understand the application of programme management in a complex business environment. Consequently candidates should already be familiar with the culture of large organisations and the measurement of benefits at a strategic level. Candidates should also be familiar with generic or specific project management methods.
Course Outline
MSP Introduction and Overview
What is a programme; What is programme management; Structure of MSP
MSP Framework and Concepts
Principles; Governance themes; Transformational Flow; Management strategies
Vision
What is a vision; Vision Statements
Identifying a Programme
What to consider when scoping programmes; The programme brief; Planning for the programme definition;
Blueprint Design and Delivery
What is a Blueprint; Contents and level of detail; Developing a Blueprint from the Vision Statement.
Defining a Programme
Programme Definition Document; Project Dossier; Programme Plan; Programme Business Case
Planning and Control
Developing the Programme Plan; Building the Project Dossier; Resourcing and scheduling; Priorities
Benefits
Key drivers for the programme; Benefits realisation and strategic objectives; Outcome relationship models; Benefit Maps; Benefits realisation plan
The Business Case
Developing the Business Case for the Programme; Managing and reviewing it
Organisation and the Programme Office
Organisation and leadership; Organisational structure; Roles and responsibilities; Programme Office
Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement
Leadership v management; Stakeholder engagement; Analysing stakeholders; Stakeholder maps and matrices.
Managing Tranches
Implementing governance arrangements; Establishing tranches
Delivering Capability/Realising benefits
Commissioning, co-ordinating, managing and closing projects in the Project Dossier; Aligning with the programme; Integrating project outputs into operations; Realising benefits; Pre-transition, transition and post-transition activities.
Quality Management
Critical Success Factors; Programme quality management; Quality processes; Configuration Management; Quality Management Plan; Information Management Plan;
Risk Management and Issue Resolution
Principles, approach and strategy for managing risks and resolving issues; Handling programme changes;
Closing a Programme
Focusing on the end goal; How to recognise that the new capability has been delivered; Reviewing benefits to date; Confirming closure
APMG MSP Foundation and Practitioner Examinations for the 2007 version of the Manual, and Coaching. Foundation Examination: Closed book; Multiple choice; 50 questions; 40 minutes; 50% pass mark (60% to become eligible to take the Practitioner Examination after March 2008.) Practitioner Examination: Closed book; Objectively marked test; 9 questions, with sections; 2? hours; 50% pass marK.
