PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
Which PRINCE2 principle is being applied when the Project Manager escalates a forecast tolerance deviation to the Project Board?
⚠ Common exam trap
PeopleCert often tests the distinction between 'manage by exception' and 'manage by stages', where candidates mistakenly think escalation relates to stage boundaries rather than tolerance deviations.
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 exception
The 'manage by exception' principle is applied when the Project Manager escalates a forecast tolerance deviation to the Project Board. This principle delegates decision-making authority for day-to-day management within defined tolerances, and only escalates when those tolerances are forecast to be exceeded, ensuring the Project Board focuses on strategic oversight.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Learn from experience
Why it's wrong here
Learn from experience involves using lessons, not escalation of tolerance deviations.
- ✗
Focus on products
Why it's wrong here
Escalating a forecast tolerance deviation concerns management by exception, not the focus on products principle, which instead demands that deliverables be defined in terms of their quality criteria, acceptance methods, and scope before work begins. It is tempting because a project manager might mistakenly think that escalating a deviation relates to ensuring the product’s quality standards are met; however, focus on products would be the correct principle when defining a product’s acceptance criteria in the Product Description, not when reporting a forecast breach of tolerance to the Project Board.
- ✓
Manage by exception
Why this is correct
Management by exception sets tolerances and requires escalation when they are forecast to be exceeded.
- ✗
Manage by stages
Why it's wrong here
Manage by stages refers to planning and control in stages, not escalation of tolerance deviations.
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