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Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Dictionary of Terms

by | reviewed 2023-08-19
Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) is a set of principles for managing a program of work provided by the global best practice company Axelos (formally provided by the OGC). MSP is a framework of principles and processes designed to deliver "successful outcomes from organisational change". It is designed to be flexible rather than perscriptive and can be adapted for industry, program type etc. It is used by private and public sector companies to manage and deliver on large change programs. View the Agile Dictionary, ITIL Dictionary. Project Office Dictionary (P30). Full PRINCE2 glossary of terms. See also Risk Management Dictionary and Project Management Dictionary.

A - B - Aggregated risk to Business Operational Stability | C - I - Capability to Issue Resolution Strategy | L - P - Leadership to Proximity | Q - R - Quality to Role | S - V - Senior Responsible Owner to Vision Statement | MSP Acronyms

Definitions from L - Leadership to P - Proximity

Leadership

The ability to direct, influence and motivate others towards a better outcome.

Margin

The flexibility which a programme has for achieving its Blueprint, benefits and Business Case.

Opportunity

An uncertain event that could have a favourable impact on objectives or benefits.

Outcome

The result of change, normally affecting real-world behaviour and/or circumstances; the manifestation of part or all of the new state conceived in a programme's Blueprint.

Output

The tangible or intangible product resulting from a planned activity.

P3M3

OGC's Portfolio, Programme and Project Management Maturity Model.

Plan

A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something detailing the what, when, how and by whom.

Policy

A course of action (or principle) adopted by an organization; a business statement of intent, setting the tone for an organization's culture.

Portfolio

All the programmes and stand-alone projects being undertaken by an organization, a group of organizations or an organisational unit.

portfolio management

The co-ordination of a number of projects.

Product

An input or output, whether tangible or intangible, that can be described in advance, created and tested; also known as an output or deliverable.

Programme

A temporary flexible organization structure created to coordinate, direct and oversee the implementation of a set of related projects and activities in order to deliver outcomes and benefits related to an organization's strategic objectives; a programme is likely to have a life that spans several years.

Programme assurance

Independent assessment and confirmation that the programme as a whole or any of its aspects are on track, applying relevant practices and procedures, and that the projects, activities and business rationale remain aligned to the programme's objectives. See also Gateway review.

Programme Board

A group that is established to support an SRO to deliver a programme.

Programme Brief

An outline description of the programme's objectives, desired benefits, risks, costs and timeframe.

Programme Definition

The collection of information defining the programme covering: Vision Statement, Blueprint, Business Case, organization structure, Project Portfolio, Benefit Profiles, Stakeholder Map.

Programme management

The coordinated organization, direction and implementation of a dossier of projects and transformation activities (i.e. the programme) to achieve outcomes and realise benefits of strategic importance.

Programme Manager

The role responsible for the set-up, management and delivery of a programme; typically allocated to a single individual.

Programme Mandate

The trigger for the programme from senior management who are sponsoring the programme.

Programme Office

The function providing the information hub and standards custodian for a programme and its delivery objectives; could provide support for more than one programme.

Programme organization

How a programme will be managed throughout its lifecycle, the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved in the programme, and personnel management or human resources arrangements. Also known as Programme organization Structure.

Programme Plan

A comprehensive document scheduling the projects, their costs, resources, risks, and transition activities together with monitoring and control activities.

Project

A temporary organization that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business outputs according to a specified Business Case.
What is a Project? Comprehensive guide with examples

Project Management Templates

Project Brief

Statement that describes the purpose, cost, time and performance requirements/constraints for a project.

Download a PRINCE2 Project Brief template - Mind map, Word or PDF format


Download a generic Project Brief template - Word or PDF format

Projects Dossier

The group of projects that will deliver the outputs required by the programme.

Proximity

When referring to risk, this term means the time factor of risk, i.e. the occurrence of risks will be due at particular times, and the severity of their impact will vary depending on when they occur.

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