PRINCE2F Business Case and Organizing Practice Question
You are a project manager for a PRINCE2 project to develop a new mobile application. The project board has asked you to clarify the roles and responsibilities for the project. Which PRINCE2 principle emphasizes that the project must have a defined organization structure with clear accountability?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse the principle of defined roles and responsibilities with other principles like business justification or manage by stages, which address different aspects of project management.
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
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Defined roles and responsibilities
PRINCE2 includes seven principles, one of which is 'defined roles and responsibilities.' This principle ensures that a project has a clear organizational structure with defined roles, responsibilities, and relationships. It requires that all parties know what is expected of them and who is accountable for what. This is fundamental for effective governance and decision-making, and it is directly related to the project board, project manager, and team manager roles.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Defined roles and responsibilities
Why this is correct
Defined roles and responsibilities is one of the seven PRINCE2 principles. It requires that the project has a clear organizational structure with defined roles, responsibilities, and relationships. This ensures that all stakeholders know who is accountable for what, which is essential for effective decision-making and project governance. The project board, project manager, and team manager roles are key examples.
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Business justification
Why it's wrong here
Business justification is a PRINCE2 principle that requires a project to have a valid business case. It focuses on ensuring the project remains desirable, viable, and achievable. While it involves the project board's accountability for the business case, it does not specifically address the organizational structure or the definition of roles and responsibilities across the project team.
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Tailor to suit the project environment
Why it's wrong here
Tailoring is a PRINCE2 principle that involves adapting the method to the project's size, complexity, and environment. It ensures that PRINCE2 is applied appropriately but does not inherently define roles and responsibilities. While tailoring may influence how roles are structured, the principle that directly emphasizes clear accountability is defined roles and responsibilities.
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Manage by stages
Why it's wrong here
Manage by stages is a PRINCE2 principle that focuses on dividing the project into manageable stages for control. It does not specifically address roles and responsibilities; instead, it ensures that the project is planned and controlled stage by stage. While it involves defining what work is done in each stage, it is not the principle that emphasizes clear organizational accountability.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PeopleCert exam blueprint
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