Interim Programme Managers (MSP and PRINCE2)

Interim Programme Managers / MSP Programme Management from KPS Consultants Ltd. (MSP and PRINCE2 skills)

The Purpose and Role of Interim Programme Managers

Firstly let's identify the primary difference between an MSP programme and a PRINCE2 project in simple terms:

An MSP programme is a collection/portfolio of PRINCE2 projects that together achieve a beneficial business change for an organisation, that is to say that when an organisation launches a programme it indicates that the organisation has a clear set of strategic business goals which will be achieved/realised through the programme. When organisations are structured by programmes this gives a good indication that the business has seriously thought about its strategic direction and has a defined set of business goals. So, programme = strategic business goal / vision / direction.

A PRINCE2 project is temporary organisation, which may or may not be part of an MSP programme, and is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products or services according to a specified business case, the business case must be reviewed at stages during the lifespan of the project in order to assess business benefits realisation. So, project = temporary organisation created to deliver one or more product's or service's in alignment with the strategic business goals, vision, direction of the programme, if one exists.

The purpose of an Interim Programme Manager is to lead and manage the MSP programme from start-up through to the delivery of strategic business changes and benefits realisation of the programme and its associated projects. The focus of the Interim Programme Manager should be at both a strategic business level and a management level.

The Interim Programme Manager role must sustain the health of the programme mechanisms, and to ensure the outcomes are achieved by effectively managing and coordinating the programme, its subsequent projects and their inter-dependencies as well as any risks and other issues that may arise.

It is important that the Interim Programme Manager, Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and Programme Board maintain a shared / common vision across the whole of the programme. This needs to be supported by a set of integrated plans which manage change and delivery of all of the required components for the strategic goal and vision to be achieved by the programme.

The Interim Programme Manager maintains the overall integrity, coherence, enthusiasm and momentum of the programme whilst developing and sustaining the MSP programme environment to support each individual project within it.

General responsibilities of Interim Programme Managers

The Interim Programme Manager reports to the Programme Director / Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and has the following responsibilities:

Planning and designing the programme and proactively monitoring its overall progress, resolving issues and initiating corrective action as appropriate.
Defining the programme's governance arrangements.
Quality assurance and overall integrity of the programme - focusing inwardly on the internal consistency of the programme and outwardly on its coherence with infrastructure planning, interfaces with other programmes and corporate technical and specialist standards.
Managing the MSP programme's budget on behalf of the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), monitoring the expenditures and costs against delivered and realised benefits as the programme progresses.
Facilitating the appointment of individuals to the project delivery teams.
Ensuring that the delivery of new products or services from the projects is to the appropriate levels of quality, on time and within budget, in accordance with the programme plan and programme governance arrangements.
Ensuring that there is efficient allocation of common resources and skills within the project portfolio.
Managing third party contributions to the programme.
Managing the communications with all stakeholders.
Managing both the dependencies and the interfaces between projects.
Managing risks to the programme's to ensure successful outcome.
Reporting programme progress at regular intervals to the Programme Director.

Note: Should the Interim Programme Manager have access to a Programme and Project Support Office (PPSO / PSO) then some responsibilities such as planning, reporting progress and administrative activities may be delegated to the PPSO / PSO team.

How can KPS Consultants help you with Interim MSP Programme Management?

Regardless of the nature of your programme, KPS Consultants are able to fulfil your short or long term requirements for an Interim MSP Programme Manager. KPS Interim Programme Managers are qualified and experienced with hands-on programme management and consulting experience across a range of horizontal and vertical market sectors.

KPS Consultants Interim Programme Managers will ensure that the planning and management of all activities involved in the programme are controlled from benefits identification, benefits measurement, and benefits realisation through to providing advice on organisational development, processes, communication.

Our involvement in both public and private sector programmes and projects means that we are as comfortable with the existing methods and standards utilised by our clients as we are with our own which are aligned to industry standard best practices. This understanding enables us to apply the key principles and techniques of methodologies such as OGC's MSP (Managing Successful Programmes), PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) and M_o_R (Management of Risk) to obtain the best results.

KPS Consultants has successfully achieved programme and project delivery through the following:

Applying clear vision, intelligence and an understanding of your business values, to produce a measurable difference in your performance.
Creating a controlled approach to management of strategic programmes.
Focusing on benefits realisation and management to ensure that each project within the programme delivers the expected benefits.
Collaboratively working with client teams.
Pragmatism and approach to MSP programme management - what is fit for purpose.
Providing effective leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.
Managing the knowledge transfer within the MSP programme.
Exceptional knowledge of MSP programme and PRINCE2 project management methodologies, our policy is to ensure most if not all of our Interim MSP Programme Managers are qualified as MSP practitioners in one or more of the OGC Best Practice PPM methods.
Ability to create a sense of community amongst the often disparate members of the project teams.
Credibility to advise project teams on their projects in relation to the programme.
Ability to find ways of solving or pre-empting problems.

If you would like to discuss your Interim MSP programme management needs or have a requirement for an Interim Programme Manager, please contact KPS Consultants by email or telephone.