My line manager suggested to me at my last performance review interview that it would benefit both the company and myself if I attended MSP programme management training. My line manager said she had completed the training a few years ago and highly recommended I did the same because MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) programme management helps businesses and organisations deal effectively and efficiently with change and is based on a set of well defined principles.



It was with some trepidation that I started the MSP programme management training course, particularly as it had been some time since I had had formal training. But I needn't have worried as the course went really well. The instructors made the training ‘come alive' and we could see how MSP programme management would help us in our everyday work life. For example, we covered how change is constant and that business is a rapidly changing scenario in the present-day business world. How transformations are the order of the day, and that change is the key to survival for any organisation. The elements of risk was also covered as MSP steps in with an optimum solution, and with its rigorous algorithmic-like approach, it suggests a resolution to the conflict of change versus risk.

I also learnt on my MSP programme management course that a three-pronged idea of Principles, Governance, and Transformational Flow define MSP. The set of principles have been formulated after years of practice and are self-validating and applicable universally for any business or organisation. The governance methods that play a vital role in businesses and are actually pivotal for delivering change, were dealt with elaborately and case studies were thoughtfully included in the course. Factors such as Vision, Quality Control, Risk Management and Planning constituted a huge chunk of the discussions while we were on the course. Finally, the modus operandi – actually engineering the change - was outlined in a step-by-step process, starting with identifying a programme through to the execution and the benefit.

Since I have completed the MSP training course I have seen a marked and positive change in my methods towards realising both my personal career goals and the long-term sustained growth of my organisation. There is better planning and integration in the programmes that I handle; the perennial gap that existed in achieving short-term project successes and long-term strategy has been brilliantly bridged; and everything looks as though it all falls into place naturally. The amount of co-ordination and role definition that I now achieve is remarkable and, at times, leaves me wondering as to why I didn't embark on MSP programme management training earlier. However, MSP programme management is no miraculous flash in the pan. It does take time and effort to implement the training into the workplace, but it is worthwhile.

The MSP Qualifications consist of three levels – Foundation, Practitioner, and Advanced Practitioner. I have completed the Foundation training and exam and plan to do the Practitioner's training and exam in the near future. The first two exams consist of multiple choice-based exams, while the last one is an essay-type exam. The pass mark in the exams is excellent as the instructors are really good at explaining things.

I must admit I was worried about doing the MSP programme management training as it has been a long time since I have done any type of training in a formal setting, but I needn't have worried. The instructors were really helpful and I wasn't the only one who hadn't done any training for ages. MSP programme management has certainly proved to be an outstanding addition to my resume and I feel a lot more confident in my place of work.