Free Practice Questions for PeopleCert MSP-Practitioner Exam

Comprehensive and Detailed 200 to 250 words of Explanation From Exact Extract of project-programme-and-portfolio-management of 5th Edition MSP:

The Justification Theme in MSP 5th Edition is concerned with the ongoing viability of the programme and the realization of the benefits that justify the investment. A critical aspect of this theme is the monitoring of the Benefit Realization Plan. If events occur that threaten the timing or magnitude of benefits, it directly impacts the programme's justification.

In this scenario, the failure of engineering staff to attend training is not just a scheduling issue; it is a threat to the realization of reduced costs. Option C is the correct answer because the Justification theme requires the programme manager to identify when the "pathway to benefits" is compromised. If staff are not trained, they cannot adopt the new ways of working, which delays the benefits. This delay must be addressed to protect the Business Case. While the programme manager is making a decision (Option A), the reason this situation is significant in an MSP context is that it affects the fundamental justification of the programme. The Justification theme ensures that the SRO and Programme Manager remain focused on the "why" of the programme—the benefits—and take action when those benefits are at risk of being delayed or lost due to operational conflicts between routine work and programme requirements.

Comprehensive and Detailed 200 to 250 words of Explanation From Exact Extract of project-programme-and-portfolio-management of 5th Edition MSP:

The 'Embed the outcomes' process in MSP 5th Edition is where the programme ensures that new capabilities are integrated into the daily operations of the business. A critical success factor for this process is the transition of knowledge. While projects deliver the "capability" (the onboarding process design), the process of embedding it requires ensuring that tacit knowledge (the experience of senior staff) is shared effectively with those who need to operate in the new state.

Option B is the correct answer because MSP 5th Edition highlights that embedding change is not just about following a manual; it is about cultural and behavioral shifts. The use of "observation, conversation, and hands-on experience" is a prime example of facilitating the transfer of tacit knowledge. By partnering new employees with experienced staff, the organization ensures that the "know-how" required to achieve the programme's strategic goals (like increasing customer numbers) is deeply rooted in the workforce. This peer-to-peer sharing helps the business-as-usual (BAU) environment absorb the change more naturally. While the project delivered the structure, the "Embed the outcomes" process focuses on these activities that ensure the capability is actually used and sustained. This alignment between the delivery of a project output and its operational adoption is what allows for the eventual realization of measurable benefits.

Recruitment Policy is not considered a critical organizational element in MSP, whereas Delivery Mechanism for Change, Business as Usual, and Corporate Strategy are recognized as essential elements.

The MSP Practitioner states: “All other are critical organizational elements,” highlighting that MSP focuses on how organizations govern and implement change (delivery mechanisms), maintain ongoing operations (business as usual), and set strategic direction (corporate strategy).

Recruitment policies, while important HR tools, are not part of the critical organizational elements that MSP emphasizes in programme governance and transformational change management.

Comprehensive and Detailed 200 to 250 words of Explanation From Exact Extract of project-programme-and-portfolio-management of 5th Edition MSP:

The principle of 'Align with priorities' in MSP 5th Edition dictates that a programme must remain consistent with the strategic direction of the organization, which is often subject to change due to internal or external factors. This principle ensures that the programme continues to deliver value and remains viable throughout its lifecycle. A critical component of this alignment is the Target Operating Model (TOM), which describes the future state of the organization once the programme's outcomes are embedded.

In this scenario, the CFO provides updated financial and market realities suggesting that previous growth targets were unrealistic. By updating the target operating model, the Programme Manager is ensuring that the vision of the "future state" remains realistic and aligned with the revised organizational priorities. According to MSP guidance, the TOM is not a static document created at the start and then shelved; it must be refined as the programme progresses and as the corporate context evolves. Option A is correct because it acknowledges the iterative nature of the TOM. While benefits (Options C and D) will certainly be affected, the question asks about the application of the principle to the TOM update. Ensuring the TOM reflects current strategic reality is a primary way to maintain alignment with organizational priorities, preventing the programme from delivering a future state that the business no longer desires or cannot sustain.

The POTI (Projects, Operations, Teams, and Infrastructure) model is used to define the high-level scope of the Blueprint. The Blueprint theme encompasses the detailed design and delivery aspects of the programme’s transformation. As per MSP Practitioner, "POTI defines high level scope of blueprint," situating the model firmly within the Blueprint Design and Delivery governance theme.

The Benefits Map is typically created during the 'Defining a Programme' phase of the transformational flow. This map visually links programme outputs to expected benefits and outcomes, providing a clear picture of how the programme’s work will realize its intended value.

The MSP Practitioner explains: “Benefits are identified and analyzed in Defining a programme,” which highlights that the Benefits Map is a key planning tool used to understand dependencies, confirm benefit ownership, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives before detailed delivery begins.

Creating the Benefits Map at this stage supports informed decision-making and prioritization, as well as effective communication with stakeholders about how change initiatives contribute to strategic goals. It also serves as a baseline for benefits realization planning and tracking throughout programme delivery.

By defining and mapping benefits early, the programme can mitigate risks of misalignment or overlooked benefits, thereby improving chances of successful transformation and measurable value creation.

Comprehensive and Detailed 200 to 250 words of Explanation From Exact Extract of project-programme-and-portfolio-management of 5th Edition MSP:

The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) is the individual ultimately accountable for the programme. One of the SRO's primary responsibilities is to ensure that the programme is governed effectively and that all necessary controls are in place to protect the organization and ensure benefit realization. Governance includes the approval of the Programme Strategy and its subsidiary plans, such as the Risk Management Approach and the Transition Plan.

In this scenario, holding a risk review before transition is a critical governance control. Because this decision was agreed with the Sponsoring Group, it becomes a formal part of the programme’s oversight framework. Option A is correct because the SRO is the person authorized to approve the "rules of the game" for the programme. While the Programme Manager (Option B) might draft the document and the Programme Office (Option D) might maintain it, the authority to approve how the programme will be controlled—especially regarding high-stakes activities like transitioning to new customer processes—rests with the SRO. The SRO must be satisfied that the risks are being managed before the business assumes the impact of the change. This ensures that the programme remains aligned with corporate risk appetite and strategic objectives.

Designing the Projects Dossier is a key activity in the 'Defining a Programme' process. The Projects Dossier is a comprehensive document that defines all the projects within the programme, detailing their scope, objectives, interdependencies, and delivery approach.

The MSP Practitioner states: “Only project dossier is created in defining programme from available options,” emphasizing that managing transition, producing the Programme Brief, and aligning projects with benefits realization occur in later programme stages.

Developing a well-structured Projects Dossier is critical for effective programme planning, control, and coordination of project delivery to achieve overall programme benefits.

Dependency management is not considered a principal control for managing the tranches but rather a governance control related to delivering the benefits.

The MSP Practitioner explains: “Dependency management is governance control for Delivering the benefits,” which means while dependencies between projects and benefits must be managed, they are not direct tranche controls.

Principal tranche controls focus on approving and reviewing Business Cases and conducting Benefit Reviews to ensure each tranche delivers value and remains aligned with strategic objectives.

Recognizing this distinction helps ensure the programme maintains effective controls focused on stage delivery and benefit realization without conflating governance functions.

Project outputs are actually the output of delivering the capability, not an input. Inputs to delivering the capability include the Project Dossier, Business Case, and Blueprint, which provide the framework, justification, and detailed design for what is to be delivered.

The MSP Practitioner clarifies: “Project outputs are output of delivering the capability,” meaning these are the tangible products or deliverables produced by the projects managed within the programme. In contrast, the Project Dossier contains detailed descriptions and plans for the projects, the Business Case justifies the programme’s existence and value, and the Blueprint defines the future state and capabilities required.

This distinction is important because delivering the capability depends on having a clear, approved vision (Blueprint), a solid business justification (Business Case), and a structured project plan (Project Dossier). Only once these inputs are in place can project outputs be successfully created and integrated to achieve the programme’s objectives.

Understanding this flow ensures that programme teams focus on the correct artefacts at each stage—inputs for planning and delivery, outputs for realization and benefits management—ensuring clarity and control throughout the transformational flow.