Programme Management

Project Lifecycle Services can develop and implement your programme using MSP.

Our primary objective is to provide exceptional service and value for money.

What is Programme Management (MSP)?

Managing Successful Programmes

The program manager works more often with business objectives and strategy. A program manager works to identify the change be accomplished and provides support for the requirements of the projects. They monitor the program plan and keep track of information within the specific projects. After the completion of the project, it is reviewed and documented.

Any significant construction or business change programme involves a major capital investment, and it is critical that it is subject to clear, consistent governance, rigorous management of risk and scope change, and the effective engagement of stakeholders and the supply chain.

Strategic change in an organisation is often brought about through a programme of linked projects.

Managing such a programme requires skill sets beyond those of the project manager.

The successful Programme Manger not only directs a series of discrete projects but provides leadership, allocates resources and ensures that the project activity is fully consistent with the day to day requirements of the business.

The skills of the Programme Manager correspond as closely to those of the Project Manager. It becomes more difficult to provide tightly defined methodologies or training. However, as Programme Management has emerged as a discipline so a variety of specialist training has become available.

MSP or "Managing Successful Programmes" is best practice guidance which forms the foundation of the most widely recognised accredited qualification scheme. It's in the same family as PRINCE2.

Programme Management is the direction and implementation of a set of related projects and activities that enable the realisation of predefined benefits and outcomes.

The advantages of choosing to manage these projects and activities together may include:-

• Alignment to achieve a common goal
• Reduction of risk arising from project and organisational interfaces
• Prioritisation of shared resources
• Reduction in management effort

The distinction between Project Management and Programme Management is not black and white. For instance, a single IT project manager may take personal responsibility for a series of related projects associated with development and deployment of a new application. The term Programme is usually reserved for larger scale groups of projects which underpin strategically important capital investment or business change.

A New Management Discipline?

Managing Programmes requires a blend of skills which span both "general management" and "project management". The core competencies of a successful Programme Manager will include:

• Strong leadership
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Understanding of the overall business and its environment
• Financial evaluation and control
• Negotiation and conflict resolution

Some would argue that Programme Management is not a discipline in its own right - but the evidence to the contrary is best seen amongst the management recruitment pages. The number of programme manager positions has been doubling each year in the UK. It is not only an obvious development option for accomplished project managers - but a route for those from other disciplines who wish to take responsibility for the delivery of "change" at a senior level.

Understanding MSP?

Introduction

MSP offers a framework and systematic approach to programme management based on the cumulative experience of thousands of successful organisations. Using the MSP approach will help organisations deliver change in the face of complexity, risks and interdependencies.

• Clear focus on outcomes
• Defined responsibilities and lines of communication
• Effective planning
• Engagement of all stakeholders
• Active management of quality and risk

The MSP manual is based on a framework comprising "Principles", "Governance Themes" and "Transformational Flow".

Principles

The 7 MSP Principles are applicable to every Programme and they will help guide practitioners as they implement change.

• Alignment with Corporate Strategy
• Leading Change
• Envisioning & Communicating a Better Future
• Focusing on the Benefits
• Adding Value
• Designing and Delivering Coherent Capability
• Learning from Experience

Governance Themes

The MSP Governance Themes represent the framework for control of a programme.

• Organisation
• Vision
• Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
• Benefits Realisation
• Blueprint Design and Delivery (a model of the future organisational state which underpins the vision)
• Planning & Control
• Business Case
• Risk & Issue Management
• Quality Management

Organisational Flow

A series of iterative and inter-related steps drives the implementation of change.

• Identifying a Programme
• Defining a Programme
• Managing the Tranches (a tranche is a group of projects structured around distinct step changes)
• Delivering the Capability
• Realising the Benefits
• Closing the Programme