PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
A project is running late, and the Project Manager needs to decide whether to escalate an issue to the Project Board. The issue is within the stage tolerance for time but threatens to breach the project-level tolerance if not addressed. What should the Project Manager do?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that because the issue is within stage tolerance, the Project Manager can handle it alone, overlooking that project-level tolerances are the Board's authority.
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 submitting an Exception Report
When a project-level tolerance is forecast to be exceeded, the Project Manager must escalate to the Project Board using an Exception Report. The Board is responsible for decisions that affect project-level tolerances, as these are beyond the Project Manager's delegated authority. Although the issue is within stage tolerance, the potential breach of project tolerance requires Board involvement to ensure the project remains justified and controlled.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Take corrective action within the stage tolerance and continue to monitor
Why it's wrong here
Taking corrective action within the stage tolerance is appropriate for issues that are contained within the stage. However, this issue threatens to breach the project-level tolerance, which is outside the Project Manager's authority. Continuing to monitor without escalation could lead to the project exceeding its overall tolerances, so this action would be insufficient and could result in a loss of control.
- ✗
Amend the Stage Plan to reflect the new forecast and proceed
Why it's wrong here
Amending the Stage Plan is part of the Project Manager's normal corrective action when within stage tolerances. However, because the issue threatens project-level tolerances, simply amending the Stage Plan is not sufficient. The Project Manager must escalate to the Project Board, as the decision to exceed project tolerances lies with the Board, not the Project Manager.
- ✓
Escalate the issue to the Project Board by submitting an Exception Report
Why this is correct
When a project-level tolerance is forecast to be breached, the Project Manager must escalate to the Project Board by producing an Exception Report. The Board then decides how to proceed, for example by granting a tolerance, changing the project, or stopping it. This action is required because the issue is beyond the Project Manager's delegated authority, even though it is within the stage tolerance.
- ✗
Ask the Senior User to make a decision on the issue
Why it's wrong here
The Senior User is a member of the Project Board and may be involved in decisions, but they do not have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the entire Board, especially on matters of project-level tolerances. Escalation should go to the Project Board as a whole, typically through an Exception Report, so that all interests are represented and a collective decision is made.
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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.