PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
A project is in its Controlling a Stage process. The Team Manager reports that a Work Package is likely to be completed late. The Project Manager reviews the Stage Plan and sees that stage tolerance is not forecast to be exceeded. What should the Project Manager do?
⚠ Common exam trap
PRINCE2F often tests the threshold for escalation, and candidates may incorrectly choose to escalate (Exception Report) even when tolerances are not threatened, confusing any deviation with a need for board involvement.
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
✓
Take corrective action within the tolerances delegated by the Project Board.
In the Controlling a Stage process, the Project Manager is responsible for taking corrective action to keep the stage within its tolerances. Since the stage tolerance is not forecast to be exceeded, the issue remains within the Project Manager's delegated authority, so they should take corrective action without escalating. Escalation is only required when tolerances are forecast to be breached.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Instruct the Team Manager to continue as planned.
Why it's wrong here
Tolerances permit the Project Manager to handle deviations within the stage without board escalation, but simply instructing the Team Manager to continue ignores the forecast late completion. PRINCE2 requires taking corrective action, such as issuing a new Work Package or adjusting the Stage Plan, to bring the Work Package back on schedule.
- ✗
Close the stage early.
Why it's wrong here
Closing a stage early is a controlled event performed when its products are complete or the stage is terminated, not a response to a late Work Package. Stage tolerance is not exceeded, so the Project Manager should take corrective action within the stage, such as re-planning or issuing a new Work Package.
- ✓
Take corrective action within the tolerances delegated by the Project Board.
Why this is correct
Stage tolerance is not forecast to be exceeded, so the deviation remains within the Project Manager's delegated authority. Corrective action can therefore be taken without escalating to the Project Board, which would only be required if tolerance were threatened.
- ✗
Escalate to the Project Board via an Exception Report.
Why it's wrong here
Escalation via an Exception Report is triggered only when stage tolerance is forecast to be exceeded, which the stem explicitly rules out. The Project Manager holds delegated authority within stage tolerance and must act at that level, for example by issuing a revised Work Package, rather than troubling the Project Board.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on PRINCE2F
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During the Controlling a Stage process, the Project Manager receives a Checkpoint Report from a Team Manager indicating a delay in delivering a Work Package. What should the Project Manager do first?
medium- A.Instruct the Team Manager to recover the delay within the Work Package tolerances
- B.Close the Work Package and re-plan the stage
- C.Raise an Exception Report to the Project Board immediately
- ✓ D.Assess the impact on the Stage Plan and decide on corrective action within stage tolerances
Why D: The Project Manager must first assess the impact of the delay on the Stage Plan and decide on corrective action within the agreed stage tolerances. This aligns with the PRINCE2 principle of management by exception, where the Project Manager handles deviations within tolerances before escalating. Only if the delay exceeds stage tolerances should an Exception Report be raised to the Project Board.
JA
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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