Themes - Ch3

Question 1

What are the MSP Themes?

Answer 1

-Organisation.
-Design.
-Justification.
-Structure.
-Knowledge.
-Assurance.
-Decisions.

Question 2

What is the definition of an ‘MSP Theme’?

Answer 2

An essential aspect of governance required to ensure that the programme is aligned with the principles. Themes are collectively applied during the processes throughout the programme lifecycle.

Question 3

What is the MSP definition of ‘Programme Governance’?

Answer 3

The framework of authority and accountability applied by the investing organisation(s) to control the work and ensure the creation of value.

Question 4

What is the MSP definition of ‘Corporate Governance’?

Answer 4

The means by which an organisation is directed and controlled. At the level of a legal entity, corporate governance is focused on maintaining a sound system of internal control by which the directors and officers of the organisation ensure that effective management systems are in place to protect assets, earning capacity, and the reputation of the organisation.

Question 5

What are the MSP contents of the ‘Organisation’ theme?

Answer 5

Organisation:
-Governance
-Roles
-Stakeholders
-Risk Appetite

Question 6

What are the MSP contents of the ‘Design’ theme?

Answer 6

Design:
-Vision
-Target Operating Model
-Benefits
-Risk (how to identify/prioritise)

Question 7

What are the MSP contents of the ‘Structure’ theme?

Answer 7

Structure:
-Plan delivery of projects
-Transition
-Tranches/landing points
-Resources - optimisation/sharing
-Dependencies

Question 8

What are the MSP contents of the ‘Assurance’ theme?

Answer 8

Assurance:
-3 lines of defence
-Approach and support for governance
-How assurance activities are planned

Question 9

What are the MSP contents of the ‘Knowledge’ theme?

Answer 9

Knowledge:
-Acquire, curate, use knowledge
-Lessons
-Build culture of best practice and continual improvement
-Manage information integrity, security and versions

Question 10

What are the MSP contents of the ‘Justification’ theme?

Answer 10

Justification:
-Mandate/Brief
-Business case
-Added value

Question 11

What are the MSP contents of the ‘Decisions’ theme?

Answer 11

Decisions:
-Approach to decision making
-Issues
-Risk (Responses)
-Data gathering to support decision making

Question 12

(Plan-Do-Check-Act) What are the key messages for ‘Plan’?

Answer 12

Plan:
-Understand situation before progressing
-Analyse current programme environment

Question 13

(Plan-Do-Check-Act) What is the key message for ‘Do’?

Answer 13

Do:
-Specific steps are performed
-Planning assurance activities

Question 14

(Plan-Do-Check-Act) What is the key message for ‘Check’?

Answer 14

Check:
-Validating the results
-Identify further action

Question 15

(Plan-Do-Check-Act) What is the key message for ‘Act’?

Answer 15

Act:
-Validated action applied in action
-Continual improvement
-Plans and initial actions reviewed to reflect current priority

Question 16

What does a MSP Programme Strategy do?

Answer 16

Defines the governance and control environment.

Single document answer to:
-The Why? (a control is required)
-The What? (to establish effective governance and control)

Question 17

What approach information is the Programme Strategy derived from?

Answer 17

-Governance Approach (Org Theme)
-Stakeholder Engagement (Org Theme)
-Design Approach
-Funding Approach (Justification Theme)
-Delivery Approach (Structure Theme)
-Resourcing Approach (Structure Theme)
-Knowledge & Learning Approach
-Information Approach (Knowledge Theme)
-Assurance Approach
-Decision/Risk response/Issue resolution Approach (Decision Theme)

Question 18

What do MSP Programme Plans do?

Answer 18

They implement the strategy and direct the team.

Programme plans answer the more detailed who, when and how to deliver outcomes of benefit over time.

MSP does not require a plan for every approach, the approach alone may be sufficient.

Question 19

What are the recommended required Programme Plans in MSP?

Answer 19

-Stakeholder engagement and communication Plan (Org Theme)
-Financial Plan (Justification Theme)
-Delivery Plan (Structure Theme)
-Benefits realisation Plan (Structure Theme)
-Assurance Plan (Assurance Theme)