Quick Answer
The answer is the Lessons Log. In PRINCE2, the Lessons Log is the central repository for recording and referencing all lessons learned, both from previous projects and during the current project’s lifecycle. During the Initiation Stage, the project manager reviews this log to identify relevant historical insights that can shape the Project Plan, refine the Business Case, and avoid repeating past mistakes. On the PRINCE2 Foundation exam, this question tests your understanding of which document serves as the primary source for historical knowledge during planning, often trapping candidates who confuse the Lessons Log with the Lessons Report (which is created at the end of a stage or project) or the Risk Register. A reliable memory tip is to think of the Lessons Log as the “living library” you consult before you start building—it holds the past to guide the present.
This PRINCE2F practice question tests your understanding of project initiation and stages. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project is in Initiation. The project manager wants to use a previous project's lessons. Which document should they review?
Business Case
Why wrong: Business Case does not contain lessons.
Risk Register
Why wrong: Risk Register is for risks, not lessons.
Lessons Log
The Lessons Log captures lessons from previous projects.
Project Initiation Documentation of the previous project
Why wrong: PID does not contain lessons.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Lessons Log
The Lessons Log is the PRINCE2 document specifically designed to capture and reference lessons from previous projects. During Initiation, the project manager should review the Lessons Log to identify relevant lessons that can inform planning and avoid past mistakes. The other documents serve different purposes and are not the primary source for historical lessons.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Business Case
Why it's wrong here
Business Case does not contain lessons.
Risk Register
Why it's wrong here
Risk Register is for risks, not lessons.
Lessons Log
Why this is correct
The Lessons Log captures lessons from previous projects.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Project Initiation Documentation of the previous project
Why it's wrong here
PID does not contain lessons.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the Project Initiation Documentation (PID) of a previous project with the Lessons Log, assuming that all project information is contained in the PID, but PRINCE2 specifically separates lessons into the Lessons Log for easy retrieval and application.
Detailed technical explanation
In PRINCE2, the Lessons Log is a living document that is created during the Starting up a Project process and updated throughout the project lifecycle. It is used to capture both positive and negative lessons, and it is explicitly referenced in the 'Learn from Experience' principle. During Initiation, reviewing the Lessons Log from previous projects ensures that the project benefits from prior knowledge, which is a key aspect of PRINCE2's focus on continuous improvement.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PRINCE2F exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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Project Initiation and Stages — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Project Initiation and Stages — This question tests Project Initiation and Stages — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Lessons Log — The Lessons Log is the PRINCE2 document specifically designed to capture and reference lessons from previous projects. During Initiation, the project manager should review the Lessons Log to identify relevant lessons that can inform planning and avoid past mistakes. The other documents serve different purposes and are not the primary source for historical lessons.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This PRINCE2F practice question is part of Courseiva's free PeopleCert certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PRINCE2F exam.
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