Free PeopleCert MSP-Practitioner Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

Media is classified as an influencer stakeholder type because it can shape public opinion and stakeholder perceptions, thus affecting programme success indirectly.

The MSP Practitioner notes: “Media can influence other stakeholders as well,” highlighting its role in communication and shaping the narrative around the programme.

Understanding and managing influencer stakeholders like media is critical for reputation management, gaining public support, and mitigating risks associated with negative publicity.

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

In MSP 5th Edition, the Assurance Theme is critical for providing the SRO and the Sponsoring Group with confidence that the programme is on track and being managed effectively. For assurance to be truly effective and reliable, it must adhere to several "success factors." One of the most vital factors is Independence.

Independence in assurance means that the person or team conducting the review is not directly involved in the delivery or management of the programme they are auditing. This lack of bias ensures that the findings are objective and that the "true" status of the programme is reported without fear of internal repercussions or a desire to hide failures. By recruiting an external consultant to perform the health check, the Programme Office Lead is ensuring that the review is conducted by an entity that is entirely separate from the programme’s internal politics and day-to-day operations. This satisfies the requirement for "third-line" assurance in the MSP framework. While internal audits (second-line) are valuable, external reviews provide the highest level of independence. This process gives the new SRO an impartial baseline of the programme’s health, enabling them to make informed decisions about future tranches without relying solely on potentially optimistic reports from the delivery team.

The statement that “Programme control defines reporting mechanism” is not true. While programme control encompasses refining delivery, managing ambiguity, and justifying programme continuation, defining the reporting mechanism is typically a management or communication function rather than a control function.

The MSP Practitioner clarifies: “Programme control deals with improving delivery, reducing ambiguity & bringing certainty and justifies continuance of programme,” focusing on the governance and decision-making controls rather than specific reporting structures.

Effective programme control ensures programmes remain viable and aligned with strategic objectives through structured oversight and governance processes.

The probability of success is higher when programme requirements are well-defined and clearly understood. MSP Practitioner states: “Probability is high when requirements are well defined and clearly understood. Clear specifications of output increases the probability of success.” Process changes affecting technology and structures typically have clearer specifications and boundaries, making successful delivery more likely compared to changes driven by complex behaviors or historical practices.

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

In MSP 5th Edition, a Risk is defined as an uncertain event or set of events that, should it occur, will have an effect on the achievement of objectives. The Risk Register is used to capture these uncertainties. It is vital to distinguish between a "risk" (uncertainty about the future) and an "issue" (something that has already happened or a current fact).

Option C represents a classic programme risk: there is uncertainty regarding the training requirements for a future project, which creates a potential threat to the timeline of Tranche 3. This uncertainty needs to be managed, analyzed, and mitigated, making it a perfect entry for the risk register.

Option A describes a planned outcome or benefit.

Option B describes the current "as-is" state (a fact).

Option D describes a project-level issue (staff sickness and delay) that the project manager expects to resolve. While it could be escalated, the inherent uncertainty regarding the future impact on Tranche 3 in Option C is a more fundamental programme-level risk that must be recorded and tracked.

'Leading change' principle in MSP focuses on driving transformation through the right leadership, engaging stakeholders actively, and fostering innovative solutions. However, getting approval from the sponsoring group is not considered part of this principle but rather a responsibility addressed in programme organization under governance themes. Approval processes are formalized separately from the leadership approach.

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

The Decisions Theme in MSP 5th Edition defines how a programme maintains its integrity and remains aligned with strategic objectives through effective governance. A core part of this theme is the Decision-making Approach, which is a section within the Programme Strategy. This document outlines the levels of authority, the "delegation of power," and the escalation routes for issues and decisions that exceed the programme board's tolerance levels.

In this scenario, the workforce dissatisfaction is a significant issue that could derail the programme's benefits. The Programme Board needs to know if they have the authority to implement their proposals or if the strategic impact requires approval from the Sponsoring Group. Option C is the correct answer because the Decision-making Approach specifies the criteria for escalation. It answers the question: "Who has the authority to make this specific choice?" While the Issue Resolution Approach (Option A) tells you how to handle an issue, the Decision-making Approach tells you at what level the final call must be made. Consulting this document ensures that the programme respects the boundaries between operational management (the Board) and strategic ownership (the Sponsoring Group), thereby maintaining proper governance and accountability as defined in the MSP framework.

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.

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

The Decisions Theme in MSP 5th Edition involves monitoring the impact of the transformation and responding to emerging information. During the 'Embed the outcomes' process, the programme must look for unintended consequences—outcomes of the change that were not part of the original design but have an impact (usually negative) on the organization.

The loss of critical, highly skilled staff during a redundancy process is a classic unintended consequence. While the redundancies themselves were a planned output to reduce costs, the "brain drain" of key talent is a side effect that could damage the long-term health of the business. Option A is the correct answer because MSP 5th Edition guidance states that such consequences should be managed by increasing monitoring and assurance to understand the scale of the impact. This allows the Programme Board to decide if corrective action is needed. While it could be viewed as a dis-benefit (Option C), the "decisions" theme specifically looks at these emerging impacts as things that need to be tracked and evaluated through the governance structure. By treating it as an unintended consequence, the programme can use its assurance mechanisms to provide the SRO with the data needed to make a strategic choice, such as adjusting the retention strategy or the pace of the remaining redundancies.

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 'Collaborate across boundaries' in MSP 5th Edition emphasizes that programmes are often cross-functional and involve a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization. This principle acknowledges that the outcomes and benefits of a programme are rarely achieved in isolation. To be successful, a programme must break down silos and engage with the broader ecosystem, which includes partners, suppliers, regulators, and even competitors where appropriate.

In this scenario, UU is proactively engaging with the external regulator (DOUO) and other water companies. This is a direct application of collaborating across boundaries because it seeks to build a collaborative environment to solve a shared industry challenge—ensuring fair competition. Option B is correct because the essence of this principle is about involving the "right stakeholders" to ensure that the environment in which the programme operates is supportive of its goals. By working with the regulator and other companies, UU is ensuring that the policies and solutions developed are practical and inclusive, rather than being imposed externally. This collaboration reduces the risk of future regulatory intervention that could derail the programme's success. While internal collaboration (Option D) is part of the principle, limiting it to internal departments would be an incorrect and narrow interpretation of the MSP framework, which specifically encourages looking outward to the wider context of the programme.