PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Processes Practice Question
Which process is used by the Project Board to authorise the start of a new stage?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing the process that prepares the stage boundary (Managing a Stage Boundary) with the process that authorizes the next stage (Directing a Project) — candidates often pick SB because it 'sounds like' the stage transition.
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
In PRINCE2, the Directing a Project (DP) process is owned by the Project Board and includes the activity 'Authorise a Stage or Exception Plan.' The Project Board uses DP to authorize the start of each new stage after reviewing the End Stage Report and Next Stage Plan produced by Managing a Stage Boundary. This is the governance checkpoint where the Board commits resources to the next stage.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Directing a Project
Why this is correct
Directing a Project enables the Project Board to authorise each stage's start via the Authorising a Stage activity, satisfying the stem's requirement for board-level approval of a new stage. Managing a Stage Boundary merely prepares the End Stage Report and Next Stage Plan for that decision, so authority rests with Directing a Project.
- ✗
Initiating a Project
Why it's wrong here
Initiating a Project assembles the project initiation documentation and business case before the project is authorised, so it precedes stage delivery. It is the correct process when a project mandate arrives and the Project Board must decide whether to authorise the project itself.
- ✗
Controlling a Stage
Why it's wrong here
Controlling a Stage covers the day-to-day work of the Project Manager during an authorised stage, including work packages, issues and progress reporting. It is correct once a stage is already underway, not for the Board's decision to authorise the next stage.
- ✗
Managing a Stage Boundary
Why it's wrong here
Managing a Stage Boundary prepares the end stage report and next stage plan for the Project Board's approval, but the authorisation decision itself sits in the directing process. It is correct when the Project Manager assembles material for that boundary review.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 1,189 original PRINCE2F practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PeopleCert exam blueprint
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.