PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Processes Practice Question
A project is nearing the end of its final stage. The Project Manager has prepared the End Project Report and a Lessons Report. Which process is responsible for authorising the project closure?
⚠ Common exam trap
PRINCE2 Foundation often tests the confusion between 'Closing a Project' (which prepares closure) and 'Directing a Project' (which authorises closure) — candidates must remember that authorisation is always a Project Board responsibility under Directing a Project.
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
✓
Directing a Project
In PRINCE2, the 'Directing a Project' process is responsible for authorising project closure. The Project Board, which operates within the Directing a Project process, reviews the End Project Report and Lessons Report and gives final approval to close the project. This authorisation is a key decision point that confirms the project has delivered its objectives and can be formally closed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Closing a Project
Why it's wrong here
Closing a Project prepares the End Project Report and Lessons Report but only recommends closure; the project board authorises it, so this process does not itself grant approval. It is correct for the Project Manager's closure activities, not the authorising decision.
- ✗
Managing a Stage Boundary
Why it's wrong here
Managing a Stage Boundary prepares the End Stage Report and next Stage Plan for the final stage's end, but closure authorisation sits with the project board's decision on the End Project Report. It is correct when a stage boundary precedes further work, not at project closure.
- ✓
Directing a Project
Why this is correct
Directing a Project authorises project closure via the Project Board, which approves the End Project Report and Lessons Report at the final stage boundary. This satisfies the stem's requirement for the process that authorises closure, not the one that prepares it.
- ✗
Controlling a Stage
Why it's wrong here
Controlling a Stage manages the work of a stage and reports progress, but it does not include the authority to close the project; that authority resides in the Directing a Project process, which reviews the End Project Report and Lessons Report to give formal closure approval. It is tempting because Controlling a Stage handles stage-level authorisations and corrective actions, so in a scenario where a premature stage-end required approval to proceed, that process would be correct.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 1,189 original PRINCE2F practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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. A project is in its final stage. The Project Manager has prepared the End Project Report and Lessons Report. What must happen before the project can be closed?
hard- A.The final products must be delivered to the operations team
- B.The Business Case must be updated with actual costs and benefits
- ✓ C.The Project Board must approve the End Project Report and authorize closure
- D.The project team must be released
Why C: In PRINCE2, the End Project Report is the trigger for the Project Board's 'Authorize Project Closure' activity. The Project Board must review the End Project Report (which includes the Lessons Report as an appendix) and formally authorize closure before the project can be closed. Without this approval, the project remains open even if products are delivered and the team is released.
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
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.