MSP-Foundation MSP Foundation, 5th editionExam Questions and Answers

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In MSP (aligned with standard risk management), the "share" response means passing risk ownership to a partner while retaining some involvement. This typically involvesworking collaboratively with suppliers or other partiesto manage risk. From supplier risk management best practices, shared risk response involves joint activities such as shared monitoring and planning with suppliers Thus,Cis correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Deliver the Capabilities” process focuses on the coordination of project delivery to ensure that new capabilities are created in a controlled and managed way. This includes starting and closing projects effectively and managing risks and issues throughout delivery.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“This process ensures that each project is initiated, managed, and closed in a controlled manner, and that risks and issues are monitored and managed.”

Hence, the correct answer is C (3 and 4).

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Sponsoring group members are senior stakeholders with a broad organizational perspective. Their role includes advising the SRO and alerting them to strategic risks or issues that may affect the wider organization.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“The sponsoring group supports the SRO and brings organizational knowledge to alert the SRO to any programme issues that also affect the organization as a whole.”

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Within MSP, a risk owner is appointed to manage specific programme risks. Their actions and responses are overseen by theProgramme Board, which evaluates whether the responses sufficiently address identified threats or opportunities in line with the overall programme approach. This is confirmed by guidance on risk governance in MSP:

Thus,Cis correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Knowledge and learning approach” describes how the programme will promote a culture of learning by capturing, sharing, and reflecting on knowledge and experiences.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“This approach defines how knowledge will be gathered, structured, and used to support reflection and continual improvement.”

Therefore, the correct answer is D.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

“Accountability” as a success factor in MSP assurance requires that assurance findings and outcomes are reported to governance boards. This ensures transparency and supports effective oversight.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition defines:

“Accountability means that assurance findings and recommendations are reported through appropriate governance boards to enable corrective action.”

Therefore, D is the correct choice.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The assurance plan outlines the activities that provide stakeholders with confidence that risks are identified, evaluated, and managed properly. It supports the “assurance” theme and includes information about the timing, scope, and responsibilities for assurance activities.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“The assurance plan includes the schedule and scope of assurance activities to ensure stakeholders are confident that risk and controls are effectively managed.”

Thus, A is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

ThePlan progressive deliveryprocess defines the tranche-based execution of the programme, covering staffing, procurement, and chunked delivery pacing. From Good‑e‑Learning:

The process defines acquisition and resource management approaches (Objective 3)

It also ensures the operational areas can support the speed of delivery (Objective 4)

Objectives 1 and 2 (benefits in BAU and risk registers) are part of Embed or Evaluate, not directly Plan Progressive Delivery. Hence, the correct answer isC (3 and 4).

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The principle “Deploy diverse skills” involves bringing together varied knowledge and expertise to effectively manage a complex programme. Allocating the right people with the right skills, especially in critical oversight areas like assurance, reflects this.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“Deploying diverse skills includes using a range of assurance resources—balancing independence with programme knowledge—to ensure efficiency, insight, and control.”

Hence, option B is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

An “issue owner” is appointed for each issue to ensure it is analyzed, managed, and resolved in a timely and effective manner.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“Issue owners are accountable for managing and resolving the issues assigned to them.”

Thus, A is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The principle “Realize measurable benefits” emphasizes the importance of ensuring that any benefits delivered by the programme are clearly defined and measurable, preferably using financial or other agreed metrics.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“This principle ensures that benefits are clearly defined and measurable, ideally with quantifiable (often financial) metrics that can be used to assess performance.”

Therefore, the correct answer is C.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The three lines of defence model in MSP ensures that risks and performance are managed effectively through independent layers of oversight. The Assurance Approach sets out how each of these lines of defence will monitor, report, and intervene when necessary.

The MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“The assurance approach defines how the three lines of defence will be used in the programme and describes how assurance will be provided across all areas.”

Thus, option D is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Identify the Programme” process establishes whether a programme is justified by examining its business reasons and strategic rationale—effectively analysing its drivers. It forms the foundation for all subsequent processes.

“Identify the Programme involves capturing and analysing the causes for developing the programme and agreeing why it should proceed.”

Thus, optionCaligns precisely with the official MSP guidance.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

One of the major challenges addressed by MSP is the inability of organizations to embed and influence cultural change effectively during strategic initiatives. As per MSP Foundation, 5th Edition:

“MSP is designed to address the most common challenge that organizations face when leading change—namely, failing to shift mindsets, behaviors, and working practices during periods of transformation.”

This reflects a direct reference to cultural change and leadership in complex environments. Thus, option B is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The "Align with Priorities" principle emphasizes that the programme must remain aligned with the organization's evolving strategic direction. This requires ongoing adjustment of outputs, outcomes, and the vision to avoid misalignment.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Alignment with priorities is achieved by ensuring the vision, benefits, and design of the target operating model remain consistent with current strategic needs.”

Therefore, option D is correct.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Design the Outcomes” process focuses on creating a vision and target operating model that describes how the outcomes and benefits will be achieved. It includes designing a coherent plan for delivering these outcomes through various projects and enabling activities.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Design the outcomes defines how the outcomes will be achieved and measured, and describes the delivery architecture, including the set of projects and other work that will deliver the capabilities.”

Thus, option D is correct.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The ‘Check’ phase in the Plan Do Check Act cycle focuses on reviewing and validating the effectiveness of risk responses. It determines whether risks have been adequately managed or if additional measures are required. This phase ensures ongoing oversight and adjustment of risk management activities as needed.

According to MSP Foundation, 5th Edition (Governance Themes – Risk Management):

“The ‘Check’ phase involves monitoring and reviewing risk management activities to ensure that risks are being controlled effectively, and deciding if further actions are necessary.”

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Bring pace and value” principle emphasizes timely delivery of value and adaptability to changing circumstances. It focuses on learning and improvement to maintain momentum and responsiveness.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Bring pace and value by continuously learning and improving, ensuring timely delivery of benefits.”

Thus, option D captures this focus precisely.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The purpose of the "Identify the Programme" process is to establish whether it is justified to proceed—checking if the expected benefits outweigh the required investment of time, cost, and resources. It ensures a clear understanding of scope and justification before committing to full planning. As described in MSP guidance:

“The Identify the Programme process checks that a programme is worth the time and resources needed to plan the programme.”

This aligns directly with the MSP Transformational Flow, confirming that optionDis correct per the official MSP Foundation, 5th Edition documentation.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The Programme Brief is developed during the “Identify the Programme” process and includes initial outlines of the programme’s costs, benefits, risks, scope, and intended outcomes.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“The programme brief provides an outline of the vision, anticipated benefits, high-level costs, key risks, and scope of the programme.”

Therefore, option B is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

“Bring pace and value” is about delivering outcomes at the right time to align with organizational needs. This requires careful planning and coordination with major milestones and external drivers.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Pace and value are achieved by aligning delivery with key organizational events and making decisions that enable early realization of value.”

Therefore, B is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The business case is not a one-time document but must be actively maintained and reviewed throughout the programme to confirm that continued investment is justified. A key test is whether the programme continues to provide value for money, as this underpins its strategic viability.

The MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“The business case should be continuously reviewed throughout the life of the programme to ensure the continued viability of the programme and that it continues to offer value for money.”

Therefore, option A is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

“Collaborate across boundaries” is about establishing effective governance and communication across organizational silos. It is essential when multiple departments or entities must work together.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“This principle supports the creation of effective governance and communication arrangements across organizational boundaries.”

Hence, B is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The term “risk appetite” refers to the level of risk an organization is prepared to accept in order to pursue objectives and deliver benefits. In MSP, this is critical to aligning programme governance and decision-making with organizational tolerance.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Risk appetite defines the level of risk that an organization is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives.”

Hence, C is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Design the Outcomes” process focuses on translating strategic objectives into a clear set of intended improvements. It defines the target operating model and measurable outcomes that describe what success looks like for the programme.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition describes:

“This process enables the organization to understand and agree the improvements it is seeking from the programme, including the target operating model and associated performance measures.”

Thus, option C is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In MSP, “processes” refer to structured sets of activities within the transformational flow that guide the delivery of the programme. Each process has inputs, outputs, roles, and objectives.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Processes are structured sequences of activities designed to achieve specific objectives within the programme lifecycle.”

Hence, D is the correct answer.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

TheAlign with prioritiesprinciple ensures the programme adapts to shifting strategic needs. This principle enables reprioritization of work based on emerging business priorities. Changing the capabilities delivered in a tranche when new information arises is the direct embodiment of that adaptability. MSP states:

“Align with priorities: adapting to new information and emergent change.”

OptionDmost closely reflects this active alignment.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Continual improvement refers to methods like Lean or Kaizen, where ongoing adjustments are made to reduce inefficiencies and enhance outcomes.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Continual improvement involves identifying and eliminating waste in processes to improve effectiveness and efficiency over time.”

Thus, C is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Plan” phase of the PDCA cycle is about identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks or issues. It sets the foundation for which actions will be taken.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition describes this as:

“The plan step involves identifying the risk, assessing its likelihood and impact, and determining which risks should be prioritized for action.”

Thus, option A is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The principleCollaborate across boundariesemphasizes enabling effective governance across different organizations, teams, or departments. A key driver is embedding decision-making systems that bridge these organizational divisions, ensuring transparent, cross-boundary authority. As described in MSP:

“An MSP programme collaborates across boundaries: facilitating effective cross‑organizational governance.”

Thus,Dis the best option, focusing on governance that spans organizational boundaries.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In ambiguous situations, having accessible, up-to-date knowledge helps teams make decisions and adapt. The knowledge theme supports this by enabling effective knowledge sharing.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Making knowledge accessible allows the programme to respond to ambiguity by enabling adaptation and learning.”

Thus, the correct answer is D.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

External factors include market dynamics, legal changes, or competitor behavior that may impact the programme. Changes in competitor behaviour are outside the organization and directly influence strategic priorities.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition notes:

“Programmes must monitor external factors such as market competition, regulatory changes, and shifts in customer expectations.”

Hence, C is the correct answer.

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