MSP-FOUNDATION practice question 12 of 25

Which BEST describes the ‘bring pace and value’ principle?

Full set: 117 questions
Answer options
A: It enables governance across multiple organizations to be established
B: It ensures that work is planned to align with key organizational events Correct answer
C: It ensures that the programme's importance to the organization is understood
D: It accepts that programmes are fundamentally volatile, uncertain and complex
Correct Answer:
B. It ensures that work is planned to align with key organizational events
Explanation

The ‘Bring pace and value’ principle emphasizes maintaining momentum and delivering tangible benefits throughout the programme lifecycle. A key aspect of this is setting the programme's rhythm to align with the pace of change the organization can absorb. This involves planning programme activities and benefit realization points to coincide with key organizational events, such as financial cycles, strategic reviews, or market launches. This alignment ensures that the programme delivers value at opportune moments, maintains stakeholder engagement, and demonstrates continuous progress, thereby sustaining its momentum and perceived relevance.

Why Incorrect

A. This describes the ‘Collaborate across boundaries’ principle, which focuses on effective stakeholder engagement and cooperation between different groups, functions, or organizations to achieve the programme's vision.
C. This relates to the ‘Lead with purpose’ principle, which is about establishing and communicating a clear vision and ensuring the programme's strategic importance is understood by all stakeholders.
D. This describes the context in which programmes operate (VUCA) and is most directly addressed by the ‘Deal with ambiguity’ principle, which advocates for iterative planning and decision-making.

References

AXELOS. (2020). Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) 5th Edition. TSO (The Stationery Office).

Section 3.8, 'Bring pace and value': "Programmes need to set a rhythm that aligns with the pace of change that the organization can absorb and with key events in the business-as-usual calendar." (p. 26). This directly supports the correct answer B.

Section 3.3, 'Collaborate across boundaries': Discusses the need for "effective cross-organizational governance" and working with stakeholders across different parts of the business. (p. 21). This supports the reasoning for why A is incorrect.

Section 3.2, 'Lead with purpose': States this principle is about "uniting stakeholders behind a shared vision of the future." (p. 20). This supports the reasoning for why C is incorrect.

Section 3.4, 'Deal with ambiguity': Explains that programmes operate in a VUCA environment and must "embrace ambiguity by designing the programme to be flexible and responsive." (p. 22). This supports the reasoning for why D is incorrect.

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