Handling Issues from Checkpoint Reports in PRINCE2
In the Controlling a Stage process, the Project Manager receives a Checkpoint Report indicating that a work package is behind schedule. What should the Project Manager do first?
Quick Answer
The correct first action is to review the impact on the stage plan and determine if corrective action can bring it back within tolerance. This is because the PRINCE2 Controlling a Stage process treats a Checkpoint Report as a routine control mechanism, not a crisis trigger; the Project Manager must first assess whether the deviation from the stage plan can be corrected without exceeding the agreed tolerances. On the PRINCE2 Foundation exam, this tests your understanding of the escalation hierarchy—many candidates mistakenly jump to raising an Exception Report, but escalation only occurs if corrective action fails or tolerance is breached. A common trap is confusing a Checkpoint Report with an Exception Report; remember that the Checkpoint Report is for monitoring, while the Exception Report is for escalating out-of-tolerance issues. Memory tip: “Check first, correct within tolerance; escalate only when tolerance is lost.”
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume any schedule delay requires immediate escalation to the Project Board, but PRINCE2 mandates first assessing whether corrective action can keep the stage within tolerance before escalating.
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
✓
Review the impact on the stage plan and determine if corrective action can bring it back within tolerance
The PRINCE2 Controlling a Stage process requires the Project Manager to first assess any deviation from the stage plan to see if corrective action can bring performance back within tolerance. The Checkpoint Report is a control mechanism that triggers an exception assessment, not an immediate escalation. Only if the deviation exceeds tolerance should the Project Manager escalate via an Exception Report.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Immediately escalate to the Project Board via an Exception Report
Why it's wrong here
Escalating via an Exception Report is premature: the Project Manager must first assess the Checkpoint Report against the Work Package's agreed tolerances and take corrective action within them. It is tempting because escalation appears diligent, but an Exception Report is the correct choice only when a forecast breach of Stage tolerances cannot be resolved.
- ✗
Issue a new Work Package to replace the current one
Why it's wrong here
Issuing a replacement Work Package discards the agreed baseline without first assessing the deviation against the Work Package tolerances the Project Manager already holds. It is tempting because re-planning feels decisive, but a new Work Package is the correct response only after tolerances are forecast to be exceeded and corrective action is authorised.
- ✗
Close the Work Package and report the failure in the Highlight Report
Why it's wrong here
Closing the Work Package treats a schedule deviation as terminal, ending the work before any corrective action or tolerance assessment occurs. It is tempting because it produces a clean status, but closing a Work Package is the correct choice when its products are delivered and accepted, not when progress slips.
- ✓
Review the impact on the stage plan and determine if corrective action can bring it back within tolerance
Why this is correct
The Project Manager must assess the deviation against the stage plan and tolerances before acting. Reviewing impact and whether corrective action restores the work package within tolerance is the first step in Controlling a Stage.
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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. During the Controlling a Stage process, the Project Manager receives a Checkpoint Report indicating a team member will be unavailable for two weeks. What should the Project Manager do first?
hard- ✓ A.Assess the impact on the stage plan and take corrective action if necessary
- B.Authorize overtime to compensate for the lost time
- C.Update the project plan to reflect the delay
- D.Escalate immediately to the Project Board as a potential exception
Why A: In the Controlling a Stage process, the Project Manager's first responsibility upon receiving a Checkpoint Report is to assess the impact of any reported issue on the current Stage Plan. This aligns with the PRINCE2 principle of 'Manage by Exception' and the 'Manage by Stages' theme, where the Project Manager must evaluate whether the team member's two-week absence threatens the stage tolerances before deciding on corrective action or escalation. Option A is correct because the immediate step is to analyze the variance and determine if corrective action within the stage's tolerance is possible.
Variation 2. During the Controlling a Stage process, the Project Manager receives a Checkpoint Report showing that a Work Package is behind schedule. What should the Project Manager do first?
medium- A.Raise an Exception Report immediately
- ✓ B.Assess the impact on the stage plan and take corrective action if within tolerance
- C.Inform the Project Board in the next Highlight Report
- D.Request a new Work Package from the Team Manager
Why B: In PRINCE2, during the Controlling a Stage process, the Project Manager is responsible for monitoring work packages and taking corrective action if issues arise within the stage tolerances. When a Checkpoint Report indicates a Work Package is behind schedule, the first step is to assess the impact on the stage plan and determine if the deviation is within the stage tolerances. If it is, the Project Manager can take corrective action without escalating. Only if the issue exceeds stage tolerances should an Exception Report be raised.
Variation 3. During the Controlling a Stage process, the Project Manager receives a Checkpoint Report showing that a Work Package is behind schedule. What should the Project Manager do first?
medium- A.Instruct the Team Manager to stop work on the Work Package
- ✓ B.Review the situation and take corrective action if within stage tolerance
- C.Raise an Exception Report to the Project Board immediately
- D.Update the Project Plan to reflect the delay
Why B: In PRINCE2, the Project Manager is responsible for managing the stage within the tolerances set by the Project Board. When a Checkpoint Report indicates a Work Package is behind schedule, the first action is to assess the situation and, if the issue is within stage tolerance, take corrective action without escalating. This aligns with the principle of management by exception.
Variation 4. During the Controlling a Stage process, the Project Manager receives a Checkpoint Report indicating that a product will be delivered late. What should the Project Manager do first?
hard- ✓ A.Assess the impact on stage tolerances and take corrective action if within tolerance
- B.Revise the Stage Plan and inform the Project Board
- C.Request a new Work Package from the Team Manager
- D.Raise an Exception Report immediately
Why A: If a Checkpoint Report indicates a deviation within stage tolerances, the PM can take corrective action themselves. If it threatens stage tolerance, they must escalate.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.