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

TheFunding Approachdocument defines the organizations that are investing in the programme. It outlines how the programme will be funded, identifying the investing organizations, their contributions, and the financial arrangements. This is essential for establishing accountability and securing commitment from stakeholders who provide the resources necessary for programme delivery.

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

“The Funding Approach describes who is funding the programme, the level of investment expected from each organization, and how the funds will be managed throughout the programme lifecycle.”

This ensures clarity on investment responsibilities and supports effective governance of programme finances.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The Delivery Approach sets out how delivery will be organized and controlled, including interactions with suppliers and external partners.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains:

“The delivery approach describes how the programme will manage delivery work including procurement and management of contracts with suppliers.”

Hence, B is the correct answer.

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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:

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 “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 principle “realize measurable benefits” requires active tracking of benefits throughout the lifecycle and alignment with evolving business context. This includes periodically revisiting and validating benefits and the TOM.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition states:

“Measurable benefits must be defined, tracked, and updated as new information emerges and circumstances evolve.”

Hence, D is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The purpose of the “Design the Outcomes” process is to define the future state (target operating model) and establish a compelling vision to guide the programme. The process sets the design principles, measures, and expectations.

The objectives include:

Establishing a compelling and aligned vision (Objective 1)

Designing the target operating model and defining performance indicators (Objective 4)Therefore, the correct answer is D: 1 and 4.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The process where programme justification is confirmed before proceeding with programme delivery isEvaluate New Information. This process involves ongoing assessment of the programme’s justification as new data, risks, or issues arise. It ensures that the programme remains viable and aligned with organizational objectives before further delivery steps are taken.

The MSP Foundation, 5th Edition explains in the Transformational Flow section under theEvaluate New Informationprocess:

“This process is designed to re-assess the programme justification and make sure the business case remains valid, reflecting any changes in circumstances or information. Only if the justification still stands will the programme proceed with delivery.”

This evaluation provides a key control point in the programme lifecycle to confirm continued investment is warranted and to prevent unnecessary expenditure or risks.

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 Internal Rate of Return (IRR) calculation relies on cash flow, which is influenced by revenues such as sales. Among the options,sales growthdirectly affects future cash inflows, which are core to the IRR metric. Other options—staff satisfaction, asset utilization, safety performance—don’t directly contribute to cash flow typically used in IRR calculations. Therefore,Dis correct.

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:

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:

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 ‘Lead with purpose’ principle centres on clarity of why the programme exists. Within the Organisation theme, this principle is applied by communicating a clear, compelling purpose to all stakeholders, thereby securing their alignment and commitment. The MSP manual explains:

“Organisation ensures that leadership communicate and embody the programme’s purpose, so that stakeholders understand why the programme matters and commit to its success.”

Thus, optionDis the accurate reflection of how the Organisation theme operationalizes 'Lead with purpose'.

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:

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 “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:

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:

Assurance helps manage uncertainty by focusing on the areas of greatest risk and ambiguity, providing confidence and early warning when change threatens outcomes.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition describes this alignment as:

“Assurance supports dealing with ambiguity by focusing resources on the riskiest areas, thereby enabling better-informed decisions and increased certainty.”

Option B directly aligns with that intent.

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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:

The purpose of the “Deliver the Capabilities” process is to manage and coordinate the delivery of outputs from projects and other work that collectively contribute to desired outcomes.

According to MSP Foundation, 5th Edition:

“This process is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the programme’s defined capabilities—how outcomes will be achieved through related delivery projects and enabling activities.”

Hence, A is the correct answer.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The programme plan provides the integrated view of how the programme will achieve its outcomes, specifying roles (who), timelines (when), and approach (how).

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition defines:

“The programme plan sets out the schedule, resources, and governance to achieve delivery of capabilities and realization of benefits.”

Therefore, the correct answer is B.

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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:

In MSP, the success factor “Proportionality” ensures that assurance activities are appropriately scaled and tailored to meet stakeholder expectations and the nature of the programme. This means assurance is not a one-size-fits-all process—it should be flexible and sensitive to context. MSP Foundation, 5th Edition describes this as:

“Assurance must be proportionate to the complexity and risk of the programme and should meet the needs of its stakeholders.”

Therefore, option A is correct.

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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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

A dis-benefit is a measurable adverse effect, often unintended, that negatively affects the organization’s ability to meet its objectives.

MSP Foundation, 5th Edition defines:

“A dis-benefit is a measurable decline resulting from an outcome perceived as negative by the investing organization(s) and which detracts from one or more organizational objectives.”

Thus, the correct answer is C.

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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 "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 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:

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 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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