- A
Starting Up a Project
Why wrong: SU is pre-project and does not deal with exceptions.
- B
Directing a Project
DP includes authorisation of Exception Plans.
- C
Managing a Stage Boundary
Why wrong: SB produces the Exception Plan, but does not authorise it.
- D
Controlling a Stage
Why wrong: CS is for management; the Board decides in DP.
Question 505 of 1,731
What Decisions Does the Project Board Make in Directing a Project?
This PRINCE2F practice question tests your understanding of prince2 processes. 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.
In which process does the Project Board decide whether to authorise an Exception Plan?
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
The Project Board decides whether to authorize an Exception Plan during the Directing a Project process. This process covers the Project Board's decision-making responsibilities, including reviewing and approving exception plans when a stage is forecast to exceed its tolerances. The board either approves the exception plan, allowing the project to continue, or requests alternatives.
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.
- ✗
Starting Up a Project
Why it's wrong here
SU is pre-project and does not deal with exceptions.
- ✓
Directing a Project
Why this is correct
DP includes authorisation of Exception Plans.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Managing a Stage Boundary
Why it's wrong here
SB produces the Exception Plan, but does not authorise it.
- ✗
Controlling a Stage
Why it's wrong here
CS is for management; the Board decides in DP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the process that creates the Exception Plan (Managing a Stage Boundary) with the process that authorizes it (Directing a Project), because both involve the exception plan but at different decision levels.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In PRINCE2, an Exception Plan is required when a stage is forecast to exceed its tolerances. The Managing a Stage Boundary process creates the exception plan and submits it to the Project Board via an Exception Report. The Directing a Project process then provides the formal decision point where the board reviews the plan, assesses its impact on the business case, and either approves it (allowing the project to continue) or rejects it (potentially triggering premature closure).
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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PRINCE2F question test?
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: Directing a Project — The Project Board decides whether to authorize an Exception Plan during the Directing a Project process. This process covers the Project Board's decision-making responsibilities, including reviewing and approving exception plans when a stage is forecast to exceed its tolerances. The board either approves the exception plan, allowing the project to continue, or requests alternatives.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
4 more ways 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. Which process covers the Project Board's decision to authorise project closure?
easy- A.Managing a Stage Boundary
- B.Initiating a Project
- ✓ C.Directing a Project
- D.Closing a Project
Why C: The Project Board uses the Directing a Project process to authorise closure, based on the recommendation from CP.
Variation 2. Which process is used by the Project Board to authorise the start of a new stage?
medium- ✓ A.Directing a Project
- B.Initiating a Project
- C.Controlling a Stage
- D.Managing a Stage Boundary
Why A: Directing a Project includes authorising stage plans (including exception plans) and project closure.
Variation 3. Which process is responsible for authorising the project's closure?
easy- ✓ A.Directing a Project
- B.Closing a Project
- C.Controlling a Stage
- D.Managing a Stage Boundary
Why A: The 'Directing a Project' process is responsible for authorizing the project's closure because it is the decision-making process performed by the Project Board. The Board reviews the End Project Report and confirms that all objectives have been met or that the project should be prematurely closed, then issues the formal authorization to close. This ensures that closure is a controlled, board-level decision, not an operational activity.
Variation 4. Which process is responsible for authorising the initiation of a project?
easy- A.Starting Up a Project
- B.Controlling a Stage
- C.Initiating a Project
- ✓ D.Directing a Project
Why D: The Directing a Project process is the Project Board’s process, which includes authorising initiation, the project itself, stage plans, and closure.
Keep practising
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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