PRINCE2F Project Initiation and Stages Practice Question
A project is halfway through the Initiation Stage. The project manager discovers that the project's risk exposure has increased significantly since the Project Brief was written, and the original Business Case no longer looks viable. What should the project manager do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming the Project Manager can unilaterally continue or adjust the project when the Business Case is no longer viable, rather than escalating to the Project Board.
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
✓
Escalate the issue to the Project Board by requesting an early end to the Initiation Stage, so the Board can decide whether to authorise the project.
When the Business Case becomes unviable, the Project Manager must escalate to the Project Board, which is responsible for authorising the project. Requesting an early end to the Initiation Stage enables the Board to decide whether to proceed, change, or stop the project based on updated information.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Revise the Project Brief to reflect the new risk exposure and continue with the Initiation Stage as planned.
Why it's wrong here
The Project Brief is an input to initiation and is not the document that justifies the project; the Business Case does that. Revising the Project Brief does not address the viability concern, and continuing as planned ignores the need for Project Board authorisation when the Business Case is in doubt.
- ✗
Update the Business Case in the Project Initiation Documentation and continue with the stage, noting the increased risk in the Risk Register.
Why it's wrong here
Continuing without escalation is wrong because the Business Case no longer appears viable; the project manager cannot unilaterally decide to proceed when the justification is in doubt. The Project Board must be informed and decide whether to continue, stop, or change the project. Simply updating documents does not address the fundamental viability issue.
- ✓
Escalate the issue to the Project Board by requesting an early end to the Initiation Stage, so the Board can decide whether to authorise the project.
Why this is correct
When the Business Case is no longer viable, the project manager must escalate to the Project Board, which owns the decision to continue or stop the project. Requesting an early end to the Initiation Stage allows the Board to review the updated Business Case and make an informed decision, which is the correct governance response.
- ✗
Ask the Project Assurance role to re-evaluate the risk exposure and provide a recommendation to the Project Manager.
Why it's wrong here
Project Assurance monitors and advises but does not make project decisions. The Project Manager cannot delegate the escalation to Assurance; the decision to continue a non-viable project rests with the Project Board. Assurance can provide information, but the Project Manager must still escalate the issue to the Board.
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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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