PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Processes Practice Question
Which THREE of the following are activities performed during the Directing a Project process?
⚠ Common exam trap
PRINCE2F often tests the boundary between Directing a Project (Board-level authorisations) and Controlling a Stage (Project Manager activities like Work Packages and Highlight Reports).
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
✓
Authorise a Stage Plan or Exception Plan
In PRINCE2, the Directing a Project (DP) process is the responsibility of the Project Board and includes the activity 'Authorise initiation' (D), where the Board approves the Project Brief and the initiation stage can begin. It also includes 'Authorise the project' (E), where the Board approves the Project Initiation Documentation and commits to the project. A third DP activity is 'Authorise a Stage Plan or Exception Plan' (C), where the Board approves the next stage plan or an exception plan before work continues. Option A (Authorise a Work Package) is performed by the Project Manager in the Controlling a Stage process, and option B (Produce the Highlight Report) is also a Project Manager activity in Controlling a Stage, so neither belongs to Directing a Project.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Authorise a Work Package
Why it's wrong here
Authorising a Work Package is performed by the Project Manager in Controlling a Stage, not by the Project Board during Directing a Project. It is tempting because the Board does authorise stage and project plans, so authorisation language appears throughout the method, but work package approval sits with the Project Manager.
- ✗
Produce the Highlight Report
Why it's wrong here
The Highlight Report is produced by the Project Manager during Controlling a Stage and circulated to the Project Board; it is an output reported to the Board, not an activity the Board performs. It is tempting because the Board does receive and review Highlight Reports, which would fit a question about governance inputs rather than Directing a Project activities.
- ✓
Authorise a Stage Plan or Exception Plan
Why this is correct
Authorising a Stage Plan or Exception Plan sits within Directing a Project, where the project board grants the project manager authority to proceed. This satisfies the stem's requirement for board-level directing activities, distinct from Managing a Stage Boundary, which prepares the plan for approval rather than approving it.
- ✓
Authorise initiation
Why this is correct
Authorising initiation is a Directing a Project activity: the Project Board reviews the Project Brief and approves the Project Initiation Documentation's development. It sits on the directing layer, distinct from Managing a Stage Boundary, which the Project Manager uses to prepare the next Stage Plan for board approval.
- ✓
Authorise the project
Why this is correct
Authorising the project is a Directing a Project activity: the Project Board approves the Project Initiation Documentation and commits resources, granting the Project Manager authority to deliver. This decision sits with the board, not the Project Manager, satisfying the stem's requirement for directing-level activities.
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Same concept, more angles
3 more ways 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. Which THREE of the following are activities performed during the Directing a Project process?
hard- ✓ A.Authorize closure of the project
- B.Appoint the Project Manager
- ✓ C.Authorize initiation
- ✓ D.Give ad-hoc direction to the Project Manager
- E.Produce Highlight Reports
Why A: In PRINCE2, the Directing a Project process is owned by the Project Board and includes the activity 'Authorize closure of the project' (A), where the Board confirms the project can be closed after the Closing a Project process has been completed. It also includes 'Authorize initiation' (C), in which the Board approves the Project Brief and authorizes the Starting up a Project process to be followed by Initiating a Project. A third activity is 'Give ad-hoc direction' (D), allowing the Project Board to provide informal guidance or decisions to the Project Manager between formal decision points. Option B (Appoint the Project Manager) is not part of Directing a Project; it occurs during Starting up a Project as part of the 'Appoint the Project Manager' activity. Option E (Produce Highlight Reports) is a Controlling a Stage activity performed by the Project Manager, not by the Project Board in Directing a Project.
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are activities performed in the Directing a Project process?
medium- A.Produce Highlight Reports
- ✓ B.Authorize initiation
- ✓ C.Authorize the project
- D.Escalate issues to the Project Board
- E.Manage product delivery
Why B: Option B (Authorize initiation) is correct because Directing a Project includes the DP1 activity where the Project Board reviews the Project Initiation Documentation and authorizes the project manager to proceed into the Initiation stage. Option C (Authorize the project) is correct because DP2 is the activity in which the Project Board gives approval for the project to move from Initiation into the Delivery stage, committing resources to the work. Option A (Produce Highlight Reports) is wrong because Highlight Reports are created by the Project Manager in the Controlling a Stage process, not by the Project Board. Option D (Escalate issues to the Project Board) is wrong because escalation is performed by the Project Manager as part of Controlling a Stage or Managing a Stage Boundary, while the Board's corresponding activity is Giving Ad Hoc Direction. Option E (Manage product delivery) is wrong because that is the responsibility of the Team Manager within the Managing Product Delivery process.
Variation 3. Which TWO of the following are activities performed in the Directing a Project process?
medium- A.Produce the Project Initiation Documentation
- B.Take corrective action within stage tolerances
- C.Manage day-to-day work of a stage
- ✓ D.Authorize a stage or exception plan
- ✓ E.Authorize initiation
Why D: In PRINCE2, the Directing a Project process is the responsibility of the Project Board and includes the activity 'Authorize initiation' (E), where the board approves the Project Brief and authorizes the start of the Initiating a Project process. It also includes 'Authorize a stage or exception plan' (D), where the board approves the next Stage Plan or an Exception Plan before work proceeds. Both are decision-making activities owned by the Project Board, which is why they belong to Directing a Project. Option A (Produce the Project Initiation Documentation) is performed in the Initiating a Project process by the Project Manager, not the board. Option B (Take corrective action within stage tolerances) is a Managing a Stage Boundary/Controlling a Stage activity for the Project Manager. Option C (Manage day-to-day work of a stage) is the core of the Controlling a Stage process, also the Project Manager's responsibility.
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
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