This PRINCE2F practice question tests your understanding of prince2 processes. 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.
Who is responsible for authorising the initiation of a project?
Project Board
The Project Board authorises initiation via DP.
Executive
Why wrong: The Executive is part of the Project Board, but authorisation is a Board decision.
Corporate management
Why wrong: Corporate management may appoint the Executive but does not directly authorise initiation.
Project Manager
Why wrong: The PM prepares the initiation request but does not authorise.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Project Board
In PRINCE2, the Project Board is collectively responsible for authorizing the initiation of a project. This decision is made during the 'Starting Up a Project' process, where the Project Board reviews the Project Brief and decides whether to proceed to the Initiation Stage. The Project Board's authority is derived from the corporate or programme management, but the actual authorization to initiate is a board-level responsibility.
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.
Project Board
Why this is correct
The Project Board authorises initiation via DP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Executive
Why it's wrong here
The Executive is part of the Project Board, but authorisation is a Board decision.
Corporate management
Why it's wrong here
Corporate management may appoint the Executive but does not directly authorise initiation.
Project Manager
Why it's wrong here
The PM prepares the initiation request but does not authorise.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the Executive's role as the single decision-maker with the collective responsibility of the Project Board, leading them to select 'Executive' instead of 'Project Board'.
Detailed technical explanation
The authorization to initiate is a key governance checkpoint in PRINCE2, ensuring that the project has a viable business justification before any significant resources are committed. The Project Board's decision is based on the Project Brief, which includes the Business Case, project approach, and tolerances. This step prevents projects from proceeding without clear objectives and agreed-upon constraints, aligning with PRINCE2's principle of continued business justification.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
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FAQ
PRINCE2 Processes — This question tests PRINCE2 Processes — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Project Board — In PRINCE2, the Project Board is collectively responsible for authorizing the initiation of a project. This decision is made during the 'Starting Up a Project' process, where the Project Board reviews the Project Brief and decides whether to proceed to the Initiation Stage. The Project Board's authority is derived from the corporate or programme management, but the actual authorization to initiate is a board-level responsibility.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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