MSP-Foundation Questions and Answers

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:

“Plan Progressive Delivery” involves breaking the programme into manageable tranches to deliver capabilities in a structured manner.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“This process defines the programme delivery structure, including tranches, and sets out how the programme will deliver capabilities to achieve desired outcomes.”

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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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:

A “landing point” in MSP refers to a point at the end of a tranche where the programme's direction is reviewed. It provides control and decision-making clarity on whether to proceed, adapt, or close the programme.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition defines:

“A landing point is a control point at the end of a tranche where the programme’s direction can be reviewed and re-confirmed.”

Therefore, option B is correct.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The "Embed the Outcomes" process ensures that the investing organization(s) adopts the new capabilities into operations and continues to realize and measure benefits after delivery.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“This process ensures that outcomes are embedded and that appropriate controls are put in place so that benefits realization continues into business as usual.”

Therefore, option C is correct.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The "Embed the Outcomes" process is responsible for supporting business operations in adopting new capabilities and embedding those into everyday practice. This includes managing the transition from legacy practices to the improved or new ways of working introduced by the programme.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“This process ensures that the new capabilities are embedded, enabling the organization to transition from old to new ways of working.”

Thus, option D is correct.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Risk prioritization involves assessing individual risks to determine their relative significance. The most basic criteria used for this purpose are the likelihood of the risk occurring and the potential impact if it does.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Prioritization is based, at a minimum, on an assessment of the likelihood of the risk occurring and the impact it would have.”

Hence, D is the correct answer.

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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‘Structure’theme ensures the programme is organized into manageable tranches, with intermediate landing points linking to outcomes. The principleRealize measurable benefitsaligns closely with this by emphasizing clarity on how outcomes lead to measurable benefits over those predefined landing points. The principle ensures structure supports benefit realization at each stage. From MSP summary visual: the "Realize measurable benefits" principle is directly connected to the Structure theme

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:

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 Programme Brief is developed during the "Identify the Programme" process. It includes the initial estimates of costs, benefits, risks, and scope—effectively the "first draft" of the investment case.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“The programme brief includes the first-draft thinking on the scope, benefits, risks, and the costs of building and embedding the required capabilities.”

Thus, option A is correct.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The “Identify the Programme” process ensures there is a strategic case to proceed. Key objectives include identifying high-level risks to benefits and appointing critical roles, such as the SRO and programme board.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“This process ensures that major risks are identified, key roles are appointed, and that the investment case can be evaluated.”

Therefore, option D (1 and 4) is correct.

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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:

The “risk response approach” is part of the risk management documentation and defines how decisions will be made regarding whether to act on risks or opportunities.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition describes:

“The risk response approach defines how decisions will be made on whether to invest resources to mitigate threats or exploit opportunities.”

Hence, the correct answer is B.

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 Target Operating Model (TOM) describes the future state that the programme is working to achieve. It includes structures, processes, capabilities, technologies, and culture.

The MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“The target operating model defines the future organization, describing what the business will look like and how it will operate once the programme is complete.”

Thus, option C is the correct answer.

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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:

Within the Governance Themes, theKnowledge Themegoverns how information is managed, including aspects of information security. A key pillar isintegrity, which ensures that data remains accurate, unaltered, and reliable. The principle guiding this is that information must be checked before use or storage to maintain trustworthiness. As stated in the MSP manual:

“Integrity ensures the information used is accurate and hasn’t been tampered with, maintaining its suitability for decision‑making.”

This makesAthe correct answer, focusing on ensuring data integrity.

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 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:

The “Design” theme focuses on developing a coherent model for how change will be achieved. Applying “Lead with purpose” means articulating a compelling vision and future state (target operating model) to guide and motivate stakeholders.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“This theme maintains a compelling vision of the future and ensures the design supports purposeful decision-making.”

Therefore, the correct answer is B.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

A key driver for programme investment is aligning multiple change initiatives (projects and other work) with strategic objectives to achieve business outcomes.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition notes:

“Organizations invest in programmes to align change initiatives with strategic goals and deliver value more effectively.”

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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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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:

A linear project delivery mode follows a predictable, step-by-step sequence: initiation, planning, execution, and closure—once through, without returning to earlier phases.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition defines:

“A linear project lifecycle completes delivery in a single pass through sequential phases, with minimal feedback loops.”

Therefore, C is correct.

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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:

The Business Change Manager (BCM) is responsible for ensuring that outcomes are integrated into business operations and that the benefits are realized. One of their key accountabilities is to plan how new ways of working (enabled by programme outcomes) are embedded in the organization.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“The business change manager is accountable for ensuring that the desired outcomes are clearly defined, understood, and owned, and for planning the transition of those outcomes into business operations.”

Hence, option B is the correct answer.

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 three lines of defence model in MSP provides a structured assurance framework aligned to delegated authorities. It ensures the right level of oversight, independence, and control over programme activities.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“The three lines of defence provide layers of assurance: operational management, internal assurance, and independent external review, each offering increasing independence.”

Therefore, B is correct.

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