PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Processes Practice Question
In which process does the Project Board authorize an Exception Plan?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
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.
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 for Project Board approval, but the Board authorises it in Directing a Project, not here. This process is tempting because it drafts and submits the Exception Plan, yet authorisation itself sits with the Board's directing activity.
- ✗
Managing Product Delivery
Why it's wrong here
Managing Product Delivery covers work package acceptance between Team Manager and Project Manager, so no Project Board authorisation occurs here. It is tempting because Exception Plans affect team work packages, but Board-level authorisation belongs to Directing a Project.
- ✓
Directing a Project
Why this is correct
Exception Plans are escalated to the Project Board, and Directing a Project is where the Board gives ad hoc direction, including authorising an Exception Plan. Managing a Stage Boundary merely prepares and submits the plan.
- ✗
Controlling a Stage
Why it's wrong here
Controlling a Stage handles day-to-day Exception Report escalation, but the Project Board authorises the resulting Exception Plan in Directing a Project. It is tempting because exceptions surface here, yet this process only escalates and reacts rather than granting Board authorisation.
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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, 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: In PRINCE2, the Project Board is the authority that can authorize an Exception Plan when a stage's tolerance is forecast to be exceeded but the deviation remains within the overall project tolerance. The Project Manager escalates the issue via an Exception Report, and the Project Board decides whether to approve the Exception Plan. This keeps the Project Manager within delegated authority while ensuring higher-level oversight for significant deviations.
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.