- A
Managing a Stage Boundary
Why wrong: Managing a Stage Boundary produces the Exception Plan, but the Project Board authorises it in Directing a Project.
- B
Managing Product Delivery
Why wrong: Managing Product Delivery is the Team Manager's process; they do not authorise Exception Plans.
- C
Directing a Project
Correct. The Project Board authorises the Exception Plan as part of its direction.
- D
Controlling a Stage
Why wrong: Controlling a Stage is the PM's process; the PM raises the Exception Report but does not authorise the plan.
Question 260 of 1,731
Which Process Authorizes an Exception Plan?
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 authorize 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 authorizes an Exception Plan during the Directing a Project process because this process is responsible for making key decisions and providing overall direction to the project. When a Stage Plan deviates beyond tolerance, the Project Manager produces an Exception Plan, which must be approved by the Project Board to proceed.
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.
- ✗
Managing a Stage Boundary
Why it's wrong here
Managing a Stage Boundary produces the Exception Plan, but the Project Board authorises it in Directing a Project.
- ✗
Managing Product Delivery
Why it's wrong here
Managing Product Delivery is the Team Manager's process; they do not authorise Exception Plans.
- ✓
Directing a Project
Why this is correct
Correct. The Project Board authorises the Exception Plan as part of its direction.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Controlling a Stage
Why it's wrong here
Controlling a Stage is the PM's process; the PM raises the Exception Report but does not authorise the plan.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
PRINCE2 often tests the distinction between the process that creates the Exception Plan (Managing a Stage Boundary) and the process that authorizes it (Directing a Project), leading candidates to mistakenly choose Managing a Stage Boundary.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In PRINCE2, an Exception Plan is triggered when a Stage Plan is forecast to exceed its agreed tolerances. The Project Manager creates the Exception Plan during Managing a Stage Boundary, but it is the Project Board's responsibility in Directing a Project to review and authorize it, ensuring the project remains viable. This separation of duties prevents the Project Manager from unilaterally changing the project's direction and maintains governance control.
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.
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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 authorizes an Exception Plan during the Directing a Project process because this process is responsible for making key decisions and providing overall direction to the project. When a Stage Plan deviates beyond tolerance, the Project Manager produces an Exception Plan, which must be approved by the Project Board to proceed.
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.
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Same concept, more angles
1 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. In the Directing a Project process, who has the authority to authorize an exception plan that exceeds the project's stage tolerance but remains within project tolerance?
hard- A.Project Manager
- ✓ B.Project Board
- C.Senior Responsible Owner (Executive)
- D.Team Manager
Why B: Option B is correct. The Project Board authorizes exception plans. The Project Manager manages within tolerances; exceeding stage tolerance requires Board approval. The SRO alone cannot, and the team manager has no such authority.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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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