PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are optional roles in the PRINCE2 project management team?
⚠ Common exam trap
PeopleCert often tests the misconception that all roles listed in the PRINCE2 management team are mandatory, leading candidates to incorrectly select roles like Project Support or Change Authority as required, when they are actually optional and only established when needed.
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
✓
Project Support
Project Support is an optional role in PRINCE2, providing administrative and advisory services to the project manager and team, but it is not mandatory for the project management team structure. Option E is correct because the Change Authority role is also optional, delegated by the Project Board to manage change requests and off-specifications, and is only established if needed for change control.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Project Board
Why it's wrong here
Project Board membership is mandated in every PRINCE2 project, so it cannot be optional; the standard requires it to provide the project mandate, approve plans and authorise each stage. It is tempting because the Board's composition flexes — a small project may combine Executive, Senior User and Senior Supplier roles in one person — but the role itself always exists.
- ✓
Project Support
Why this is correct
Project Support is optional because PRINCE2 permits the project manager to absorb its administrative duties, such as maintaining the project log and configuration records, when project scale or complexity does not justify a dedicated resource. The stem asks for optional roles, and Project Support is explicitly listed as such, unlike mandatory roles like Project Manager.
- ✗
Senior Supplier
Why it's wrong here
Senior Supplier is a mandatory core role on every PRINCE2 project, so it cannot be optional. It is tempting because the role only exists where products are supplied, yet PRINCE2 requires it whenever external or internal suppliers deliver anything, making it compulsory rather than discretionary.
- ✗
Project Manager
Why it's wrong here
The Project Manager is mandatory in every PRINCE2 project, appointed by the Project Board to run the project on a day-to-day basis. It would be optional only where no one manages delivery, which PRINCE2 never permits.
- ✓
Change Authority
Why this is correct
The Change Authority is optional because PRINCE2 allows the project board to delegate change and configuration management responsibilities to it, or retain them itself. Where the board handles change control directly, no separate Change Authority is appointed, satisfying the stem's requirement for a role that need not always exist.
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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 of the following is an optional role in the PRINCE2 project management team?
easy- A.Executive
- B.Senior User
- ✓ C.Project Support
- D.Project Manager
Why C: In PRINCE2, the Project Support role is optional and is only required when the project is large or complex enough to need administrative or specialist support. The PRINCE2 manual explicitly lists Project Support as a role that may be filled, whereas the Executive, Senior User, and Project Manager are mandatory roles on every project.
Variation 2. Which of the following is NOT a role in the PRINCE2 project management team?
medium- ✓ A.Project Sponsor
- B.Change Authority
- C.Team Manager
- D.Project Manager
Why A: The PRINCE2 project management team structure includes the Project Board (Executive, Senior User, Senior Supplier), Project Manager, Team Manager, and optionally the Change Authority. The Project Sponsor is not a defined role in PRINCE2; instead, the Executive role fulfills the sponsorship responsibilities. Therefore, option A is correct as the role that does NOT exist in the PRINCE2 framework.
Variation 3. Which TWO of the following are roles in the PRINCE2 project management team?
easy- A.Risk Owner
- B.Project Sponsor
- ✓ C.Project Manager
- ✓ D.Senior User
- E.Steering Committee
Why C: The PRINCE2 project management team includes the Project Manager (C) as the person responsible for day-to-day management and the Senior User (D) who represents the interests of those who will use the project's outputs. Both are defined roles in the PRINCE2 management structure, with the Project Manager reporting to the Project Board and the Senior User being a member of that board.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.