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

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Close the Programme” process ensures value is captured and lessons are learned. It focuses on ending the programme in a controlled way and documenting both achievements and remaining challenges.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Retaining lessons and ensuring knowledge is passed on is a critical component of programme closure.”

“The programme closure report includes assessment of achieved benefits, any dis-benefits, and remaining potential benefits.”Thus, option D (1 and 4) is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The Governance Approach within the programme strategy outlines how the programme will be directed and managed. This includes roles, responsibilities, reporting lines, and the organizational structure required for effective governance.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“The governance approach defines the programme’s organization structure, including roles and responsibilities, to support decision-making and control.”

Hence, option C is correct.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Evaluate New Information” process ensures that the programme responds effectively to change. It provides insight and clarity to help leaders and teams take timely and informed actions.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“This process helps improve understanding of emerging developments and accelerate appropriate responses.”

Hence, B is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The principle “Lead with purpose” emphasizes the importance of a clear, inspiring vision that guides decision-making and motivates stakeholders.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“A clear and compelling purpose gives meaning to the programme, aligning leadership, decision-making and stakeholder engagement.”

Therefore, D is the correct answer.

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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 purpose of the ‘Close the Programme’ process within MSP Transformational Flow is to confirm that all the programme’s outcomes and outputs have been delivered and accepted, and importantly, that the investing organization(s) have adopted the required changes. This adoption of new ways of working is critical to realizing the intended benefits of the programme. Closing the programme formally marks the transition fromdelivery to business as usual, ensuring that benefits can be sustained and maximized after the programme ends.

This aligns with the MSP Foundation, 5th Edition, which states in the Transformational Flow section (Closing the Programme Process):

“The programme closure ensures that the investing organization(s) have embedded the new ways of working and that benefits realization can continue beyond the programme’s life.”

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

TheInformation Approachdocuments how information is managed across the programme, including classification, handling, storage, access, and privacy requirements. It defines data protection standards and privacy levels for various information types. Hence,Ais the correct answer.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Cash flow in a programme context refers to the net amount of funds required to pay for ongoing expenses—primarily resources.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition defines:

“Cash flow is the net amount of cash and cash-equivalents required to pay for resources over time.”

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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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:

The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) is the figurehead of the programme and is accountable for its success. They focus on strategic alignment and stakeholder engagement at the executive level.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“The SRO is responsible for engaging with senior stakeholders and ensuring their ongoing support and alignment with the programme objectives.”

Thus, option C is correct.

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 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:

The “Align with priorities” principle ensures that a programme remains aligned with evolving strategic goals. Programmes must remain flexible to respond to new or shifting business needs.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“A programme must remain aligned with organizational priorities and be flexible enough to adapt to changes in strategic direction.”

Therefore, B is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

When validating a business case, a key focus is on whether the original assumptions still hold true, including the achievability of the outcomes and the financial viability (affordability) of the programme.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“The justification for the programme must be reviewed throughout to ensure it remains achievable, affordable, and aligned with organizational priorities.”

Therefore, A is the correct answer.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The principle “Deal with ambiguity” is applied when decisions are made based on uncertain or incomplete information. Analyzing both best and worst-case scenarios helps manage risk and uncertainty.

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 “Evaluate New Information” process ensures that decisions made during the programme are based on the latest knowledge and insights. This supports adaptation and ongoing alignment with organizational strategy.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“The purpose of this process is to ensure that up-to-date information is considered in decision-making as the programme progresses.”

Hence, the correct answer is B.

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The missing word is"benefits". Stakeholder engagement is fundamentally about building and managing relationships to achieve positive benefits for the programme and the organization. It involves exercising influence to align stakeholder interests and secure their support, which ultimately helps in realizing the programme’s intended benefits.

According to MSP Foundation, 5th Edition (Governance Themes – Stakeholder Engagement section):

“Stakeholder engagement is a way of exercising influence and achieving positive benefits through effective management of relationships.”

This highlights the importance of engagement in delivering value and sustaining support throughout the programme lifecycle.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

MSP recognises two types of knowledge: explicit (codified) and tacit (experiential, hard to articulate). To pass on tacit knowledge effectively, interpersonal interaction—such as one-on-one mentoring or shadowing—is essential. The Knowledge theme states:

“Tacit knowledge is best transferred through direct interaction—mentoring, coaching, informal conversations—rather than through written documentation.”

Therefore, the correct approach isD, promoting direct communication for tacit knowledge transfer.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The Benefits Realization Plan schedules the activities needed to realize the benefits, including the organizational change initiatives required to embed capabilities.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“The benefits realization plan includes the schedule for change activities, aligning delivery and transition plans with the benefits profile.”

Thus, option C is correct.

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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:

Knowledge in MSP includes both explicit and tacit forms. Tacit knowledge is typically unstructured and not easily articulated, and often only becomes explicit when deliberate effort is made to capture or document it.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition describes:

“Tacit knowledge usually only becomes explicit when individuals invest effort in capturing and sharing it.”

Therefore, option C is correct.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The vision statement is a concise, inspiring description of the future state the programme aims to achieve. Its purpose is to engage stakeholders and provide direction throughout the programme.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“The vision statement is a clear and compelling description of the future state that engages and motivates stakeholders.”

Therefore, D is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

A budget is a financial estimate representing the expected income and expenditures over a defined period.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition glossary defines:

“A budget is the sum of the estimates of income and expenditure for a set period.”

Thus, D is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Initiating the “Close the Programme” process happens when the programme objectives have been met and benefits are being successfully realized and measured. Per MSP summary:

“The purpose of the close the programme process is to end the programme in a controlled way, extracting as much value from the programme regardless of the reason for closing it. This includes ensuring that the investing organization(s) are ready to maximize the benefits to be realized from the programme work completed…”

Therefore,Bis the best choice.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Structure” theme defines how the programme is organized and delivered over tranches. When this theme applies the “Collaborate across boundaries” principle, it leads to better coordination and utilization of resources across teams and organizations.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition notes:

“Collaborating across boundaries ensures resources are used effectively and efficiently by aligning the structure of delivery with responsibilities across the organization.”

Thus, A is the correct answer.

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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:

Programme plans translate the programme strategy into actionable items. They describe how the strategy will be implemented, including scope, schedules, dependencies, and resources.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Plans provide a view of how the strategy will be delivered, including what needs to be done, when, and by whom.”

Thus, A is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The Programme Manager is accountable for implementing the programme strategy, overseeing planning, delivery, monitoring, and reporting.

As per MSP Foundation, 5th Edition:

“The programme manager is responsible for implementing the strategy as defined by the programme board and ensuring that the programme is delivered to schedule, scope, and quality.”

Hence, C is correct.

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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:

“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 “Deal with ambiguity” principle recognizes the inherent uncertainty in programmes and the need for flexibility and resilience.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“This principle reflects that programmes operate in environments that are volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.”

Therefore, D is correct.