Overview of PRINCE2 and Principles →mediumMultiple Choice

PRINCE2F Overview of PRINCE2 and Principles Practice Question

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

PRINCE2 Configuration Block:
prince2 {
  project-name "Network Upgrade"
  version 2.0
  principles {
    continued-business-justification true
    learn-from-experience true
    defined-roles-and-responsibilities true
    manage-by-stages false
    manage-by-exception true
    focus-on-products true
    tailor-to-suit-project-environment true
  }
}

Refer to the exhibit. Which principle is missing from the configuration?

⚠ Common exam trap

PeopleCert often tests the exact list of the seven PRINCE2 principles, and the trap here is that candidates may overlook 'Manage by stages' because they confuse it with 'Manage by exception' or assume that 'Focus on products' covers the missing principle, when in fact each principle is distinct and all seven must be present.

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

✓

Manage by stages

The PRINCE2 principle 'Manage by stages' is missing from the exhibit because the configuration lists only 'Continued business justification,' 'Learn from experience,' 'Roles and responsibilities,' 'Manage by exception,' 'Focus on products,' and 'Tailor to suit the project environment.' The seven PRINCE2 principles are all required, and 'Manage by stages' is the one omitted. Without it, the project lacks the mandatory planning and control mechanism that divides the project into discrete management stages, each with its own plan and review points.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✓
Manage by stages
Why this is correct
Manage by stages requires the project board to authorise each stage and review the business case at stage boundaries. If the configuration lacks defined stage boundaries with decision points, this principle is absent, so the project proceeds without formal end-stage assessments.
✗
Focus on products
Why it's wrong here
Focus on products concerns defining outputs and their quality criteria, which the exhibit already demonstrates, so it is not missing. It is tempting because product-based planning is central to PRINCE2, but it would be correct only if the configuration failed to define products and their acceptance criteria.
✗
Manage by exception
Why it's wrong here
Manage by exception concerns tolerances and escalation, and the exhibit already shows it applied, so it cannot be the missing principle. It is tempting because the principle is frequently tested, but it would be the right answer only if the configuration lacked defined tolerances or escalation routes.
✗
All principles are applied
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit does show a principle missing, so claiming all are applied contradicts the configuration. It is tempting because several principles are clearly evidenced, but PRINCE2 requires all seven to be applied; the exhibit omits one, making this option the correct choice only when every principle is demonstrably present.

Go deeper

PRINCE2F Overview of PRINCE2 and Principles Practice Question

Exhibit

Why each option matters

Option-by-option breakdown

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