PRINCE2F Practice Question: Overview of PRINCE2 and the project environment
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. Project: Alpha Project Board: - Executive: Jane Smith - Senior User: John Doe - Senior Supplier: Acme Corp Project Manager: Bob Lee Team Manager: Alice Wang Current Stage: Initiation Product Status: Project Brief (approved), Business Case (draft), Project Plan (draft), Risk Register (initial), Quality Register (initial)
Refer to the exhibit. The project manager needs to get approval to proceed with the initiation stage. Who is responsible for authorizing the initiation stage?
⚠ Common exam trap
PeopleCert often tests the distinction between the Project Manager's role in preparing documentation and the Executive's role in making the authorization decision, causing candidates to mistakenly attribute stage authorization to the Project Manager.
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
✓
Executive
The Executive is the single person accountable for the project and has the authority to authorize the initiation stage. According to PRINCE2, only the Executive can give the approval to proceed from the Starting Up a Project process to the Initiation Stage, as they own the business case and are responsible for the project's overall justification.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Senior User
Why it's wrong here
The Senior User is part of the project board but not the sole authorizer.
- ✓
Executive
Why this is correct
The Executive is responsible for authorizing the initiation stage.
- ✗
Project Manager
Why it's wrong here
The initiation stage requires authorisation from the project board, not the project manager, who manages the stage but lacks the authority to approve its start. This option is tempting because the project manager is responsible for producing the initiation stage plan and requesting authorisation, so in a later stage, they would manage delivery once approval is granted.
- ✗
Team Manager
Why it's wrong here
The Team Manager is responsible for delivering team products, not authorization.
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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 PRINCE2, who is responsible for ensuring that the project remains viable and for approving major changes to the project's scope?
medium- ✓ A.Executive
- B.Senior Supplier
- C.Project Manager
- D.Senior User
Why A: The Executive (Senior Responsible Owner) is accountable for the project's business justification and for approving major changes.
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.