PRINCE2F Directing a Project Practice Question
During which process does the Project Board authorize the project to proceed?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the Initiating a Project and Directing a Project processes. They may think authorization to proceed occurs during Initiating a Project (where the Project Board approves the Initiation Stage Plan), but in PRINCE2, the formal authorization to proceed with the project is given during the Directing a Project process when the Project Board authorizes the Project Initiation Documentation.
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
Directing a Project. This process is where the Project Board makes key decisions and authorizes the project to proceed. Specifically, after the Initiating a Project process produces the Project Initiation Documentation, the Project Board reviews it and gives authorization to proceed with the project during the Directing a Project process. This formal authorization grants the Project Manager authority to start the first delivery stage.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Controlling a Stage
Why it's wrong here
Controlling a Stage is where the Project Manager manages the work of a stage, not where the Project Board authorizes the project to proceed. The Project Board does not authorize the overall project during this process.
- ✗
Starting Up a Project
Why it's wrong here
Starting Up a Project is the pre-project process where the Project Manager prepares the Project Brief; the Project Board does not yet exist and cannot authorise anything there. It is tempting because this process produces the Project Brief that the Board later reviews, and would be correct if the question asked where the project mandate is refined before initiation.
- ✓
Directing a Project
Why this is correct
Directing a Project is the process in which the Project Board provides overall direction and authorises the project to proceed, including approval of the Project Initiation Documentation and each stage boundary. Authorisation to proceed therefore sits with the board during this process.
- ✗
Initiating a Project
Why it's wrong here
Initiating a Project is the process where the Project Manager creates the Project Initiation Documentation and plans the initiation stage. The Project Board does not authorize the project to proceed during this process; that authorization occurs in Directing a Project.
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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. In the Directing a Project process, when does the project board authorize the project?
medium- A.At the end of the Starting Up a Project process
- ✓ B.At the end of the Initiating a Project process
- C.At the end of the Managing a Stage Boundary process
- D.At the end of the first stage
Why B: The project board authorizes the project at the end of the Initiating a Project process, when the Project Initiation Documentation (PID) is presented for approval. This is the 'Authorize the Project' activity in the Directing a Project process.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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