Quick Answer
The answer is approving the Project Plan, as this is a core responsibility of the Project Board within the PRINCE2 framework. The Project Board holds ultimate accountability for the project’s success, which includes authorizing key management products like the Project Plan and making decisions at stage boundaries to ensure continued business justification. On the PRINCE2 Foundation exam, this concept tests your understanding of the Board’s strategic role versus the Project Manager’s tactical role—a common trap is confusing the Board’s approval authority with the Manager’s creation duties. Remember that the Board does not write plans; it approves them and decides whether to proceed. A useful memory tip is to think of the Board as the “three amigos” of business, user, and supplier, each responsible for authorizing the plan that aligns with their interests.
This PRINCE2F practice question tests your understanding of prince2 practices. 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.
Which THREE of the following are responsibilities of the Project Board?
Authorizing stage boundaries
The Project Board authorizes the start of each stage.
Maintaining the risk register
Why wrong: This is the Project Manager's responsibility.
Preparing Highlight Reports
Why wrong: The Project Manager prepares Highlight Reports.
Providing ad hoc direction
The Project Board provides direction as needed.
Approving the Project Plan
The Project Board approves the Project Plan.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Authorizing stage boundaries
Option A is correct because the Project Board is responsible for authorizing stage boundaries, which involves reviewing the current stage's progress, approving the next stage plan, and ensuring continued business justification. This is a key decision point in PRINCE2 where the Board assesses whether the project should proceed to the next stage.
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.
Authorizing stage boundaries
Why this is correct
The Project Board authorizes the start of each stage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Maintaining the risk register
Why it's wrong here
This is the Project Manager's responsibility.
Preparing Highlight Reports
Why it's wrong here
The Project Manager prepares Highlight Reports.
Providing ad hoc direction
Why this is correct
The Project Board provides direction as needed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Approving the Project Plan
Why this is correct
The Project Board approves the Project Plan.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the Project Board's strategic responsibilities with the Project Manager's operational tasks, such as maintaining registers or preparing reports, leading them to select options B or C incorrectly.
Detailed technical explanation
In PRINCE2, the Project Board is the decision-making body that provides overall direction and control, including authorizing stage boundaries, approving the Project Plan, and providing ad hoc direction. The Board's role is strategic, not operational; it delegates the management of day-to-day activities, including risk register updates and report preparation, to the Project Manager. This separation ensures clear accountability and avoids micromanagement.
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 Practices — This question tests PRINCE2 Practices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Authorizing stage boundaries — Option A is correct because the Project Board is responsible for authorizing stage boundaries, which involves reviewing the current stage's progress, approving the next stage plan, and ensuring continued business justification. This is a key decision point in PRINCE2 where the Board assesses whether the project should proceed to the next stage.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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 responsibilities of the Project Board?
hardWhy A: The Project Board provides direction, approves plans, and makes key decisions.
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are typical responsibilities of the Project Board?
mediumWhy A: The Project Board provides overall direction, approves plans, and makes key decisions. Day-to-day management is the Project Manager's role, and configuration management is typically done by Project Support.
Variation 3. Which TWO of the following are typical responsibilities of the Project Board?
mediumWhy A: The Project Board is accountable for the project's success and makes key decisions. Providing day-to-day management and assurance are separate roles.
Variation 4. Which TWO of the following are responsibilities of the Project Board?
mediumWhy C: The Project Board provides overall direction and makes key decisions. Approving stage plans and providing assurance are board responsibilities. Managing Work Packages is a Project Manager role; reporting progress is a team role; designing the risk management approach may be delegated.
Variation 5. Which TWO of the following are responsibilities of the Project Board?
mediumWhy A: Options B and D are correct. The Project Board is responsible for approving plans and resources (B) and providing direction and control (D). Maintaining the Business Case is the PM's job; producing Team Plans is the Team Manager's; managing day-to-day activities is the PM's.
Variation 6. Which TWO of the following are responsibilities of the Project Board?
mediumWhy C: Options A and C are correct. The Project Board is responsible for authorizing stage plans and providing overall direction. Option B is incorrect because producing the PID is a Project Manager responsibility. Option D is incorrect because managing risks on a day-to-day basis is the Project Manager's role. Option E is incorrect because maintaining the Business Case is primarily the Executive's role on behalf of the Board.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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