Quick Answer
The answer is the Starting Up a Project process. This is correct because PRINCE2 mandates that lessons are first formally recorded before the project even begins, during the activity called 'Capture Previous Lessons' within the Starting Up a Project process. The project manager reviews lessons from similar past projects and logs them in the Lessons Log, ensuring the project benefits from prior experience from the outset. On the PRINCE2 Foundation exam, this question tests your understanding of the 'Learn from Experience' principle and its practical application in the process model. A common trap is confusing this with the Managing a Stage Boundary process, where lessons are reviewed and updated, not first recorded. To remember, think: lessons are captured before the project starts, not during execution. A useful mnemonic is "SUP starts the log" — Starting Up a Project is where the Lessons Log is first created.
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.
During which process are lessons for the project first recorded?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Initiating a Project
Why wrong: IP updates the Lessons Log but it is first created in SU.
Managing a Stage Boundary
Why wrong: SB captures lessons learned during the stage but the log already exists.
Starting Up a Project
The Lessons Log is created in SU and populated with relevant lessons from previous projects.
Closing a Project
Why wrong: CP produces the Lessons Report but lessons are recorded earlier.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Starting Up a Project
In PRINCE2, the first formal recording of lessons occurs during the 'Starting Up a Project' process. This process includes the activity 'Capture Previous Lessons' (from the 'Learn from Experience' principle), where the project manager reviews lessons from similar previous projects and records them in the Lessons Log before the project is even initiated. This ensures that the project starts with the benefit of past experience.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Initiating a Project
Why it's wrong here
IP updates the Lessons Log but it is first created in SU.
Managing a Stage Boundary
Why it's wrong here
SB captures lessons learned during the stage but the log already exists.
Starting Up a Project
Why this is correct
The Lessons Log is created in SU and populated with relevant lessons from previous projects.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Closing a Project
Why it's wrong here
CP produces the Lessons Report but lessons are recorded earlier.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'Initiating a Project' (where detailed planning and the PID are created) with the first recording of lessons, but PRINCE2 explicitly requires lessons to be captured before initiation begins, during the 'Starting Up a Project' process.
Detailed technical explanation
The Lessons Log is created as a key management product during the 'Starting Up a Project' process. The project manager populates it with lessons from previous projects (e.g., from a corporate lessons database) to inform the Project Brief and Project Plan. This proactive capture is a core part of the 'Learn from Experience' principle, ensuring that the project does not repeat past mistakes from the outset.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
PRINCE2 Processes — This question tests PRINCE2 Processes — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Starting Up a Project — In PRINCE2, the first formal recording of lessons occurs during the 'Starting Up a Project' process. This process includes the activity 'Capture Previous Lessons' (from the 'Learn from Experience' principle), where the project manager reviews lessons from similar previous projects and records them in the Lessons Log before the project is even initiated. This ensures that the project starts with the benefit of past experience.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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