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What is MSP 4th Edition

Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) represents proven good practice in the successful delivery of transformational change through the application of programme management.

Candidates can self-study for all of the certification levels or take an MSP training course via one of AXELOS' Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs). Prices for training courses are set by the ATOs so will vary.

To find out more about the latest version of MSP, see our MSP 5th Edition section.

MSP Foundation

The MSP Foundation certification introduces the Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) method and terminology. The purpose of the Foundation certification is to determine whether you know and understand the MSP guidance well enough to be able to work with a team involved in the management of a programme or act as an informed member of a programme office, business change team or project delivery team working within an environment supporting MSP.

See the MSP 4th Edition Foundation page for more information.

See the MSP 5th Edition Foundation page for details of the current version of this certification.

MSP Practitioner

The MSP Practitioner certification is aimed at project managers, business change managers (BCMs) and those working within a Programme Office (PO) or in a specialist or governance position within an organization. It demonstrates your ability to understand and apply the MSP principles, governance themes and transformational flow processes when managing a programme.

This level is also a prerequisite for those who wish to progress to the MSP Advanced Practitioner certification, and those aspiring to become programme management professionals in the future.

See the MSP 4th Edition Practitioner page for more information.

See the MSP 5th Edition Practitioner page for details of the current version of this certification.

MSP Advanced Practitioner

The MSP Advanced Practitioner certification is the next step for programme managers and aimed at those who can demonstrate they are able to lead and manage a programme of transformational change. That is whether you have sufficient understanding to be able to apply the MSP guidance in a complex programme within an environment that uses MSP.

My MSP

Become a My MSP subscriber and you can access a wide range of content to help you pass your exams, to excel in your role and to advance your career.

Access the latest best practices to help you apply MSP best practices to your programme management and help you excel. Your subscription gives you access to:

  • Best Practice Subscriptions
  • Project Management Software - Project in a Box
  • Project Management Templates.

You can also use our online tools to help you plan and record career development activities as you progress in your career. You can access:

  • Online CPD toolset to plan and record your development
  • Assess and benchmark your skills against PPM job roles
  • Stand out with a digital badge.

Examination Languages

The MSP® examinations are offered at three levels: Foundation, Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner. There are also Re-Registration exams for the Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner levels.

These examinations are available in the following languages:

  • Dutch (Foundation, Practitioner, Practitioner Re-registration and Advanced Practitioner only)
  • English (all examinations)
  • French (Foundation, Practitioner and Practitioner Re-registration only)
  • Polish (Foundation, Practitioner, Practitioner Re-registration and Advanced Practitioner only).