The answer is to issue an exception report to the project board. This is correct because PRINCE2 operates on the principle of management by exception, meaning that tolerances define the boundaries of delegated authority; when a forecast shows that stage tolerance for time is about to be exceeded, the project manager must escalate immediately by producing an Exception Report for tolerance exceedances, which formally notifies the project board and triggers their decision on corrective action. On the PRINCE2 Foundation exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the escalation chain and the mandatory nature of the exception report—a common trap is confusing it with a simple issue report or trying to adjust the plan without board approval. Remember the memory tip: "Tolerance tipped? Report it shipped." If a tolerance is about to be breached, the Exception Report must be sent to the board before any other action.
PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Practices Practice Question
This PRINCE2F practice question tests your understanding of prince2 practices. 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.
During a stage, a team manager reports that a key product will be delivered two weeks late due to resource constraints. The project manager updates the stage plan and finds that the stage tolerance for time is about to be exceeded. What is the first action the project manager should take?
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
✓
Issue an exception report to the project board
The project manager must escalate the issue to the project board because the stage tolerance for time is about to be exceeded. According to PRINCE2, when a forecast indicates that a stage will exceed its tolerances, the project manager must produce an Exception Report and submit it to the project board, which then decides on corrective action. This is a mandatory escalation step to maintain management by exception.
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.
✓
Issue an exception report to the project board
Why this is correct
When tolerance is forecast to be exceeded, the project manager must produce an Exception Report and seek guidance from the project board.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Revise the project plan to absorb the delay
Why it's wrong here
The project manager cannot change the project plan without authorization; this exceeds their authority.
✗
Reassign resources to the delayed product
Why it's wrong here
This may help but the project manager must first inform the project board if tolerance is at risk.
✗
Request a concession from the project board
Why it's wrong here
Concessions are not a PRINCE2 term; the correct action is to escalate the deviation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think the project manager can handle the delay internally by reassigning resources or revising plans, but PRINCE2 strictly requires escalation via an Exception Report when stage tolerance is forecast to be exceeded.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In PRINCE2, stage tolerances are set by the project board to delegate authority to the project manager. When a forecast shows that a tolerance will be exceeded, the project manager must immediately raise an Exception Report, which includes the impact, options, and recommendation. The project board then reviews the report and may authorize a concession (a temporary tolerance extension) or take other corrective action, such as replanning the stage. This mechanism ensures that the project board retains control over significant deviations without micromanaging day-to-day work.
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 Practices — This question tests PRINCE2 Practices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Issue an exception report to the project board — The project manager must escalate the issue to the project board because the stage tolerance for time is about to be exceeded. According to PRINCE2, when a forecast indicates that a stage will exceed its tolerances, the project manager must produce an Exception Report and submit it to the project board, which then decides on corrective action. This is a mandatory escalation step to maintain management by exception.
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.
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 →
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 a stage, a Team Manager reports that a work package is likely to be delayed. What should the Project Manager do?
hard
A.Close the work package and reassign the work to another team
✓ B.Assess the impact on stage tolerances and take corrective action if within tolerance
C.Immediately raise an Exception Report to the Project Board
D.Instruct the Team Manager to continue as planned and report progress in the next Checkpoint Report
Why B: The Project Manager must assess the impact on stage tolerances. If the delay is within tolerance, they can take corrective action. If it exceeds tolerance, they must escalate via an Exception Report.
Variation 2. During a project, a Team Manager reports that a product will be delivered two weeks later than planned. The tolerance for the Work Package is one week. What should the Team Manager do?
hard
A.Update the Project Plan to reflect the delay
B.Request a change to the Project Plan directly from the Project Board
✓ C.Issue an Exception Report to the Project Manager
D.Continue with the work and inform the Project Manager in the next Checkpoint Report
Why C: When a Work Package tolerance is forecast to be exceeded, the Team Manager must escalate to the Project Manager via an Exception Report. The Project Manager can then negotiate corrective actions.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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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.
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