PRINCE2F Overview of PRINCE2 and Principles Practice Question
A project board has approved the project initiation documentation for a new customer relationship management system. During the first delivery stage, the senior user requests a change to add a mobile app module. The project manager wants to apply the 'manage by exception' principle. What should the project manager do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any change request must automatically be escalated to the project board, rather than first checking whether it falls within the project manager's delegated tolerances.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Assess the change against the stage and project tolerances, and if it exceeds them, escalate to the project board with an exception report.
Manage by exception means the project manager only escalates when a tolerance is forecast to be exceeded. The project manager should first assess the change against the delegated tolerances for scope, cost, and time. If the change cannot be accommodated within those limits, an exception report must be raised to the project board, which then decides how to proceed. This maintains board control while empowering the project manager to handle minor variations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Update the project plan to include the mobile app module and revise the business case without consulting the project board.
Why it's wrong here
Updating the project plan and business case without board approval violates the defined roles and responsibilities principle and manage by exception. The project board owns the business case and approves major changes; the project manager cannot unilaterally alter scope or benefits. This action would also bypass the agreed change control procedure, leading to uncontrolled scope creep.
- ✗
Ask the senior user to withdraw the request because changes are not permitted after the project initiation documentation has been approved.
Why it's wrong here
Changes are permitted after the project initiation documentation is approved, but they must follow the agreed change control approach and be assessed for impact. Refusing the request outright ignores the PRINCE2 principle of learn from experience and the need to respond to stakeholder requirements. The project manager should evaluate the change, not dismiss it without analysis.
- ✗
Implement the change immediately to keep the senior user satisfied, then inform the project board at the next progress meeting.
Why it's wrong here
Implementing the change without approval breaches the manage by exception principle because the project manager must escalate decisions beyond defined tolerances. The senior user's request may exceed stage or project tolerances for scope and cost, so the project manager cannot proceed unilaterally. Informing the board after the fact undermines the board's control and fails to respect the agreed escalation routes.
- ✓
Assess the change against the stage and project tolerances, and if it exceeds them, escalate to the project board with an exception report.
Why this is correct
Manage by exception requires the project manager to monitor against tolerances and escalate only when a tolerance is forecast to be exceeded. Assessing the change against scope, cost, and time tolerances determines whether the project manager can handle it within delegated authority. If the change exceeds those limits, an exception report must be raised to the project board so it can decide how to proceed.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PeopleCert exam blueprint
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