This PRINCE2F practice question tests your understanding of prince2 processes. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 the Controlling a Stage process. The project manager receives a request from a team manager to change the design specification because of a technical difficulty. The change would not affect the stage plan or the business case. What should the project manager do first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Log the issue in the Issue Register and assess the impact
According to PRINCE2, when a team manager raises a technical difficulty that could result in a change, the project manager must first log it as an issue in the Issue Register. Only after logging and assessing the impact can the project manager decide on the appropriate response. Since the change does not affect the stage plan or business case, the project manager can handle it within the stage without escalating to the project board.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 Risk Register and create a risk response
Why it's wrong here
This is an issue, not a risk, as it has already occurred.
✓
Log the issue in the Issue Register and assess the impact
Why this is correct
This is the correct initial action for managing issues.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Escalate the issue to the project board for a decision
Why it's wrong here
Escalation is not needed if the change does not affect tolerances.
✗
Instruct the team manager to proceed with the change
Why it's wrong here
The change must be formally assessed first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often jump to escalation (Option C) or risk management (Option A) without first performing the mandatory step of logging the issue in the Issue Register and assessing its impact.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In PRINCE2, the Issue Register is the central log for all formal issues, including requests for change, off-specifications, and problems/concerns. The project manager must assess the impact of the issue on the stage plan, business case, and overall project objectives before deciding on a response. Even if the change appears minor, the formal logging ensures traceability and auditability, which is critical for governance and lessons learned.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
PRINCE2 Processes — This question tests PRINCE2 Processes — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Log the issue in the Issue Register and assess the impact — According to PRINCE2, when a team manager raises a technical difficulty that could result in a change, the project manager must first log it as an issue in the Issue Register. Only after logging and assessing the impact can the project manager decide on the appropriate response. Since the change does not affect the stage plan or business case, the project manager can handle it within the stage without escalating to the project board.
What should I do if I get this PRINCE2F question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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