Overview
QA Total Learning™ is our newest and most effective way to learn.
Combining the best of digital and live learning, with access to world-class industry experts, we focus on ensuring you can apply your learning to help drive impactful results in your workplace. What's more, our digital platform gives you the tools to track your progress and manage your own learning.
This course is for existing and aspiring programme managers looking to develop their skills and knowledge and earn an industry best practice qualification in programme management.
Learners may be preparing to transition from a project management role into a programme management position. Alternatively, they could be experienced programme managers or senior managers looking to prove their change implementation skills and enhance their programme credentials by gaining the MSP® (Managing Successful Programmes) Foundation and Practitioner certifications.
In this Total Learning course, learners will have access to both digital and live learning to provide the best possible preparation to pass the MSP Foundation and Practitioner examinations. This includes the official MSP manual and a Digital stage designed around the MSP syllabus, including sample exam questions, quizzes, and a combination of video and written content.
The 3-day virtual Live event focuses on deepening learners’ understanding of the key topics and feedback sessions on exam craft, specifically tailored to MSP exam-style questions. Day 1 of the Live event will focus on the Foundation content and conclude with the Foundation exam. Days 2 and 3 will delve deeper into the Practitioner-level content, focusing on how to apply the principles explored at Foundation as well as covering Practitioner exam techniques to enable learners to confidently progress on to the Practitioner exam.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by PeopleCert and includes the Managing Successful Programmes Foundation and Practitioner examinations.
We are confident in the quality of our course and aim for all our learners pass their exam on their first attempt. However, if you are not successful on your first attempt, our Exam Pass Pledge offers you assurance that we will arrange a free resit, taking the cost and hassle away from you.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking the MSP 5th edition Foundation exam. However, to take the MSP 5th edition Practitioner exam, candidates are required to have an MSP 5th edition Foundation certificate.
Course material
Learners undertaking this course will be provided with an eBook of the official course manual to support their learning, instructions on how to access the eBook will be provided with the course joining instructions.
Please note: For open book exams learners are permitted to use a second device to access the official course manual, the use of dual monitors is not permitted during the exam.
Please ensure you bring a device such as a mobile phone, tablet or laptop to be able to load your course material on to as you may need this for use in the evenings.
At the end of this course, the learner will be able to:
- understand key concepts relating to programmes and MSP.
- understand how the MSP principles underpin the MSP framework.
- understand the MSP themes and how they are applied throughout the programme.
- understand the MSP processes and how they are carried out throughout the programme.
- understand how to apply the MSP principles in context.
- understand how to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP themes in context.
- understand how to apply and tailor relevant aspects of the MSP processes in context.
Course Outline
This Total Learning course consists of three key stage, all explained during a 1-hour virtual kick off session, which includes a Q&A session:
- Digital stage - up to 20 hours, completed over a minimum of 4 weeks
- Live event – 3 days (1-hour Foundation exam recommended to be booked after Day 1 of the Live event)
- Exam – 2 hour 30 minute MSP Practitioner examination
Digital stage
The Digital Learning is valid for 3 months from the date of the kick off session
During the digital stage, learners will work through online content exploring the MSP syllabus through a series of modules. The MSP Digital modules contain digital learning designed around the MSP syllabus, exam hints and tips, sample exam questions, quizzes, and a combination of video and written content.
The Foundation-focused digital modules include:
- Introduction to MSP
- The MSP principles
- Introducing the MSP themes:
- Organisation
- Design
- Justification
- Structure
- Knowledge
- Assurance
- Decisions
- Introducing the MSP processes:
- Identify the programme
- Design the outcomes
- Plan progressive delivery
- Deliver the capabilities
- Embed the outcomes
- Evaluate new information
- Close the programme
- Exam preparation
The Practitioner-focused digital modules include:
- Introduction to MSP Practitioner
- The MSP Principles – Practitioner focus
- The MSP Themes – Practitioner focus:
- Organisation
- Design
- Justification
- Structure
- Knowledge
- Assurance
- Decisions
- The MSP Processes – Practitioner focus:
- Identify the programme
- Design the outcomes
- Plan progressive delivery
- Deliver the capabilities
- Embed the outcomes
- Evaluate new information
- Close the programme
- Exam preparation
Live event
During the 3-day virtual Live event, learners will work individually and in teams to consolidate the MSP Foundation and Practitioner theory through practical, exam-focused activities. The facilitator will use Miro to create a digital workspace environment, enabling a collaborative and interactive learning experience.
- Live Day 1: (Foundation focus)
- Introduction, exam orientation, and tips
- Principles, exam-based activities, and exploration
- Process exam-based activities and exploration:
- Identify the programme
- Design the outcomes
- Plan progressive delivery
- Deliver the capabilities
- Embed the outcomes
- Evaluate new information
- Close the programme
- Themes, exam-based activities, and exploration:
- Organisation
- Design
- Justification
- Structure
- Knowledge
- Assurance
- Decisions
- Exam preparation
- Foundation exam (from 16:30)
- Live Day 2: (Practitioner focus)
- MSP Practitioner overview
- Practitioner exam orientation and tips
- MSP case study exploration
- Principles, exam-based activities, and exploration
- Exam practice session
- Themes, Practitioner-level exam-based activities, and exploration
- Organisation
- Design
- Justification
- Structure
- Live Day 3: (Practitioner focus)
- Themes (continued), Practitioner-level exam-based activities, and exploration
- Assurance
- Exam practice session
- Processes, Practitioner-level exam-based activities, and exploration
- Identifying a programme
- Designing the outcomes
- Exam questions
- Plan progressive delivery
- Deliver the capabilities
- Embed the outcomes
- Evaluate new information
- Close the programme
- Exam preparation
- Themes (continued), Practitioner-level exam-based activities, and exploration
Exam
After the Live event, learners will progress on to the MSP Practitioner exam.
Note: We recommend that learners pre-book their MSP Foundation exams from 4:30pm after Day 1 of the Live event.
Learners can select a suitable timeslot for their Practitioner exams following the full 3-day Live event. We know that some learners prefer to schedule this soon after the event itself, where others prefer a short break to revise the content. Booking via PeopleCert will give the learner the choice.
PeopleCert exams take place remotely via PeopleCert Online Proctoring. On the afternoon of the last day of your course, learning will continue until approximately 4.00pm. When booking your exam, please ensure that it is for a time after the course has concluded and at a time convenient for you. You will be required to download and install ExamShield and conduct a compatibility test prior to sitting the exam.
About the Foundation exam:
- 60-minute exam
- 60 questions
- Closed book
- Multiple-choice questions
- 60% pass mark
About the Practitioner exam:
- 2 hour 30 minute exam
- 70 questions
- Open book
- The official manual may be annotated and tabulated, but no sticky notes or loose leaf papers containing additional notes will be allowed.
- Scenario based
- Multiple-choice questions
- 60% pass mark
Why choose QA
- Our learners have given us an average NPS score of 8.4 out of 10 for our project management training (Jan-Oct 2020)
- We now offer the new Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®): 5th Edition
- We are fully accredited by PeopleCert
PRINCE2® and the Swirl logo are registered trademarks of the PeopleCert group. Used under licence from PeopleCert. All rights reserved.
Frequently asked questions
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How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
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When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.