1. Programme Management in Defence: Applying MSP
RUSI Defence Project Management Seminar Series
Programme Management in Defence: Applying MSP
progress to date and future challenges
Bill Egginton Cranfield University Defence Academy College of Management and Technology

2. The Context…. Enabling Acquisition Change, June 2006
“We will create a strong programme management environment around our projects…. oversee the integration of projects and other Lines of Development into military capability…. invest in managing programme management capabilities and competence Defence Industrial Strategy, December 2005
“Consideration be given to establishing Board level championship of the most significant new capabilities….Every major new capability in the MOD’s forward plans should be assigned a 2-star SRO residing in the Equipment Capability Customer”
Enabling Acquisition Change, June 2006
“EAC recommended that DCDS(EC) establish a programme approach to capability delivery….to ensure that all the Defence LoD were brought together at the earliest stages of the acquisition cycle and managed coherently……by 31 March …and consistent with the framework established by MSP.”
MoD Capability Delivery Guidance, DCI, 19 March 2008

3. 1st Edition in 1999; 2nd Edition 2003; 3rd Sept 2007
MSP – what is it?
“Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) is a structured yet flexible framework. 
It allows you to manage and control all the activities involved in managing a programme
through providing advice on organisation, processes, communication and ways of thinking”
OGC
1st Edition in 1999; 2nd Edition 2003; 3rd Sept 2007
Set of principles, processes, roles, activities and outputs of the programme management approach
Exemplars of Best Practice and a de factor standard for excellence in programme management
Not as a mature a ‘product’ as its project equivalent – PRINCE2 – but increasing in popularity
Subject of practitioner qualifications & courses

4. The MSP Framework 7 Principles 9 Themes
Remaining aligned with corporate strategy
Leading change
Envisioning & communicating a better future
Focus and benefits and threats to them
Adding value
Designing and delivering a coherent capability
Learning from Experience
Organisation
Vision
Leadership & Stakeholder Engmt
Benefits Management
Quality Management
Risk & Issue Management
Business Case
Planning & Control
Blueprint design & delivery
Defining a Programme
Delivering the Capabilities
Realising the Benefits
Closing a Programme
Identifying a Programme
Managing the Tranches
9 Themes

5. Senior Responsible Owner
MSP: Programme Organisation
Sponsoring Group
Senior Business
Management
Senior Responsible Owner
Programme
Office
Programme
Manager
Delivering Capability
Business Change
Manager
Realising Benefits
Programme Board

6. TLCM and a programme approach
Through Life Capability Management (TLCM) is an approach to the acquisition and in-service management of military capability in which every aspect of new and existing military capability is planned and managed coherently across all Defence Lines of Development (DLoDs) from cradle to grave.
Source: Defence Acquisition – High Level Blueprint (October, 2008)

7. Programme Boards - Governance
Delivery
Planning
Generation
Defence Board
Defence Operating Board
EJCB
Capability
Planning
Commercial
Research
Industrial
Finance
UMGs
Programme Initiation
Enduring Mandate
Issue Resolution/Direction
Programme Board
CIG / AWG
Planning Issues
Programme Support Function
Project
Project
Project
Project
TEPIDOIL
CIWGs / AWGs
Source: TLCM Phase 4 Implementation, 12 November 2008 (DACP Ind Comms)

8. Programme Boards - Composition
Source: TLCM Phase 4 Implementation, 12 November 2008 (DACP Ind Comms)

9. Some observations…
Senior people are very open to the principles and practice of programme management
In defence, SRO roles are – for the most part – part time appointments
The dual role of DEC acting as SRO represents potential conflict of interest
The SRO role is only one part of the MSP ‘solution’ – not a complete fix
The PgM role is a key individual role – not expected to be a committee
The purpose of the BCM is being recognised - but FLCs need to be able to respond and act in that capacity
A Sponsoring Group function is required to complete the governance – this is expected to be the Extended JCB - ToRs need to be aligned accordingly
Programme Support is much more than an administrative function and the appropriate investment in people, processes and systems is required

10. Future MOD challenges?
Getting the ‘right’ number and make-up of coherent defence programmes – aligned to defence strategy, with strategic objectives adequately defined
Taking the big decisions around overheated Equipment Programme based on clear criteria of strategic priority and ‘portfolio’ balancing
Shaping the role of DECs (as Sponsor), DE&S (as a Customer Representative) and FLCs (as Users) in full view of business needs
Having enough people to allocate to key roles with the necessary competence in applying consistent principles and developing fit-for-purpose processes
Building a culture that encourages and allows ‘big picture’ thinking with the right information available to enable balanced decisions at all levels
Recognising that MOD is at one and the same time a Government Dept. and a Military HQ and that these different roles may require different structures, behaviours and even reward systems for operations vs. programmes and projects
Working with the Private Sector in delivering through programmes, with the flexibility required for programme management as part of contracts.

11. A Further Challenge….
92. Mr Gould acknowledged that the uncertainty over the equipment programme was bound to delay investment by industry. CDM said that he thought:
“industry would like to see an affordable programme and fewer projects properly funded, if that’s what it takes, than a lot of projects not properly funded”
House of Commons Defence Committee Defence Equipment 2008, 27 March 2008
…do we need to think beyond programmes to portfolio management?

12. Conclusions
A great deal of central guidance has been issued during 2008 and there is tangible evidence of movement in the ‘right’ direction towards a programme approach within defence
MSP principles, roles and structures are being adopted and applied, but there remains work to be done in hammering out the details
Crucial are:
Governance and an effective Sponsoring Group function
Adequate and appropriate resource allocated to the SRO role
Effective and sustainable involvement from FLCs as Users
Mobilisation of a fit-for-purpose Programme Support Function
MOD process and procedure – including finance and commercial – may frustrate efforts to bring about the necessary changes
Crucially, the planning round approach and the behaviours this drives potentially cuts across all efforts to define and implement programmes
Over and above programme, I believe there remains the opportunity - at the very top of defence - to apply portfolio management principles that would clarify strategic imperatives, align priorities against agreed criteria and so stabilise investment in delivering capability.

13. MOD is not alone….
“37 …….. So a key challenge going forward will be for the structures to provide clear and quick decision making so the delivery programme is not held up”.
Preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – Risk assessment and management’ NAO, Feb 2007

14. Thank You