Managing Successful Programmes: 5th Edition (MSP®) Foundation and Practitioner

The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the framework used to design, govern and deliver programmes. You will explore how programmes connect strategy, projects, change activities, outcomes and benefits.

You will learn how the framework can help organisations oversee programmes, coordinate projects and maintain control across changing environments. The course also covers programme governance, risk management, benefits realisation, stakeholder engagement and decision-making.

At Foundation, you will build a thorough understanding of the terminology, principles, themes and processes. During the Practitioner course, you will apply the guidance to real life scenarios, assess decisions and tailor relevant aspects of the framework to suit the programme context.

The course also explains the relationship between programme and project delivery. A project management methodology helps teams control a defined project, while a programme framework helps them connect several projects and change activities to wider strategic goals.

The syllabus begins with Foundation knowledge before moving into Practitioner application.

PRINCE2 Programme Management Foundation syllabus

Module 1: Programme management overview

This module introduces the purpose of programme management and how it supports strategic change.

Learning outcomes:

• Define a programme and explain how it differs from a project
• Understand how programmes support strategic goals
• Recognise how programmes coordinate multiple projects
• Explain the relationship between projects, outcomes and benefits
• Understand the purpose of PRINCE2 Programme Management Foundation
• Explain how programme management supports organisational change

Module 2: PRINCE2 Programme Management principles

This module introduces the principles that support effective programme management.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand how principles guide programme decisions
• Explain how to apply MSP principles under the updated course name
• Recognise how principles support consistency and accountability
• Understand how programmes remain aligned with strategy
• Explain how teams respond to uncertainty and change
• Recognise how principles support teams that lead complex programmes

Module 3: PRINCE2 Programme Management themes

This module explores the themes used to support programme design, governance, control and delivery.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the purpose of programme themes
• Explain how themes are applied throughout a programme
• Recognise the relevant aspects of each theme
• Understand how roles and responsibilities support accountability
• Explain how themes support outcomes and measurable benefits
• Understand how themes can be tailored to the programme context

Module 4: PRINCE2 Programme Management processes

This module covers the processes that guide a programme from identification to closure.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand how MSP processes relate to the updated framework
• Explain how processes guide the programme lifecycle
• Understand how to identify and design a programme
• Recognise how programme activity is planned and controlled
• Explain how outcomes are embedded and benefits are realised
• Understand how programmes close once their objectives are achieved

Module 5: Benefits and strategic value

This module focuses on the value programmes are expected to deliver.

Learning outcomes:

• Explain the difference between outputs, outcomes and benefits
• Understand how benefits support organisational strategy
• Recognise how benefits are identified and tracked
• Explain how benefits are realised over time
• Understand how sustainable benefits support the case for change
• Recognise how programmes focus on measurable value

Module 6: Governance, risk and control

This module explains how programme teams manage uncertainty, accountability and control.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand why governance matters in programme management
• Recognise how control mechanisms keep programmes aligned
• Explain how risks and issues can affect programme success
• Understand how risk controls support programme decisions
• Recognise how reporting supports accountability
• Explain how assurance strengthens programme confidence

Module 7: Stakeholders, communication and collaboration

This module covers communication and the people involved in programme delivery.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand how actively engaging stakeholders supports programme success
• Recognise the importance of communication and collaboration
• Explain how teams work across organisational boundaries
• Explore how programme boundaries deal with scope, ownership and accountability
• Understand how stakeholder support influences outcomes
• Recognise how transparency can build trust

Module 8: Tailoring the framework

This module explains how the guidance can be adapted to different programme environments.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand why tailoring matters
• Identify which parts of the guidance apply in a given context
• Explain how tailoring supports practical delivery
• Understand how size, complexity and environment affect application
• Recognise how tailoring helps teams manage ambiguity
• Explain how tailoring supports successful programme outcomes

PRINCE2 Programme Management Practitioner syllabus

Module 1: Practitioner exam overview

This module introduces the Practitioner exam and its scenario-based format.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the structure of the exam
• Recognise how scenario-based questions are presented
• Understand how marks are awarded
• Identify the areas assessed
• Review how principles, themes and processes are tested in context
• Build practical exam and time-management strategies

Module 2: Applying PRINCE2 Programme Management principles

This module focuses on using the principles in practical programme situations.

Learning outcomes:

• Apply principles to a given scenario
• Analyse whether the principles have been used appropriately
• Tailor principles to different programme environments
• Understand how principles support strategic alignment
• Explain how principles help teams manage uncertainty
• Justify decisions using programme management guidance

Module 3: Applying and tailoring themes

This module explores how themes are applied throughout a programme.

Learning outcomes:

• Apply the relevant parts of the themes in context
• Analyse how themes support programme design and delivery
• Assess whether governance and control arrangements are suitable
• Review how benefits and outcomes are managed
• Understand how roles support accountability
• Explain how themes contribute to valuable programme outcomes

Module 4: Applying and tailoring processes

This module focuses on applying processes across the programme lifecycle.

Learning outcomes:

• Apply programme processes to a given scenario
• Tailor relevant aspects of the processes to the programme environment
• Analyse whether process activities have been used appropriately
• Review how programme vision, design, delivery and closure are managed
• Explain how processes support embedded outcomes
• Justify process decisions in a practical setting

Module 5: Managing interdependencies and delivery

This module explains how programmes connect projects, activities and workstreams.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand how interdependencies affect delivery
• Assess how related projects contribute to programme outcomes
• Review how staged delivery supports progress
• Understand how programmes adapt to change
• Explain how progressive delivery supports benefits
• Analyse how activity remains aligned with strategic goals

Module 6: Benefits, outcomes and sustainable change

This module focuses on applying benefits guidance to programme scenarios.

Learning outcomes:

• Apply benefits guidance to a programme scenario
• Analyse whether outcomes support organisational objectives
• Review how benefits are identified, tracked and realised
• Understand how benefits support stakeholder value
• Explain how programmes deliver sustainable change
• Justify decisions linked to benefits and outcomes

Module 7: Stakeholders, collaboration and leadership

This module explores how communication and leadership support programme success.

Learning outcomes:

• Analyse stakeholder approaches in a scenario
• Review communication and collaboration methods
• Understand how leadership supports complex change
• Assess whether stakeholder activity suits the programme context
• Explain how transparency supports alignment
• Justify recommendations for stronger stakeholder support

Module 8: Governance, risk and control in context

This module focuses on applying governance, control, risk and issue management.

Learning outcomes:

• Apply governance guidance to a programme scenario
• Analyse whether control mechanisms are suitable
• Review risk and issue-management approaches
• Understand how assurance supports programme confidence
• Explain how reporting supports decisions
• Justify recommendations for stronger programme control

The combined course runs for five days through live interactive virtual classes. This duration applies to the Foundation and Practitioner Virtual Classroom pathway as a whole, not to the standalone Foundation course.

You will attend scheduled online sessions led by experienced trainers. The Foundation course content builds your knowledge of the framework, while the Practitioner element focuses on application and tailoring.

The sessions include guided discussion, practical examples, group exercises and exam preparation. These activities help you connect the framework with real-world situations you may face in programme environments.

You will also complete a mandatory online pre-course before the live sessions. As this is trainer-led training, it is not a fully self-paced course completed at your own pace.

You have 12 months from the purchase date to take both exams. You must pass Foundation before becoming eligible for Practitioner.

Both exams are included. The table below shows the main differences between Foundation and Practitioner.

PRINCE2 Programme Management Foundation exam

The Foundation assessment confirms your knowledge of the framework.

• Exam format: Multiple-choice
• Number of questions: 60
• Marks available: 60
• Pass mark: 36/60, or 60%
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Book policy: Closed book
• Delivery: Online via remote proctor

PRINCE2 Programme Management Practitioner exam

The Practitioner assessment checks whether you have sufficient ability to apply and tailor the guidance in context.

• Exam format: Objective testing based on practical programme scenarios
• Question types: Standard, Classic, and Matching
• Number of questions: 70
• Pass mark: 42/70, or 60%
• Duration: 150 minutes, or 2 hours 30 minutes
• Book policy: Open book
• Permitted book: Official PRINCE2 Programme Management manual
• Delivery: Online via remote proctor

Follow this sequence:

1. Complete your Foundation training.
2. Pass the Foundation exam.
3. Complete the Practitioner learning and preparation.
4. Sit the Practitioner exam.

Both exams are included, so you do not need to buy a separate exam voucher from e-Careers.

IMPORTANT: Check that your device and testing environment meet the official requirements before booking or sitting either online exam.

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• Affordable Pricing – Access accredited training, both exams and official learning materials in one package.
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