MSP states that approval at the end of ‘Define’ releases funds and authority for the whole first tranche. This covers every project scheduled in that tranche; later tranche(s) still require separate approval gates. Hence the authorization is for all first-tranche work, not the whole programme or a single project, and is more than mere document acceptance.

B. Authorizing the whole programme would bypass mandatory tranche-gate reviews; MSP explicitly limits commitment to the first tranche only.

C. MSP approval is not restricted to the first project but to every project in the first tranche.

D. Approval does more than accept documents; it confers delivery authority and funding for the tranche.

1. AXELOS

“Managing Successful Programmes”

5th Ed.

2020

Sect. 5.5.2

p. 92: “Approval… commits resources to

and authorises delivery of

the first tranche.”

2. AXELOS

MSP 2011

Sect. 10.2.2

p. 139: “Approval … authorises work to begin on the projects that form part of the first tranche.”

3. AXELOS

MSP 5th Ed. “Programme lifecycle – Define”

Fig. 4.3

p. 58 (decision point shows gate to ‘Deliver: tranche 1’ only).