PRINCE2F Business Case and Organizing Practice Question
You are the project manager for a PRINCE2 project to implement a new payroll system. During the 'Starting up a Project' process, you are drafting the outline Business Case. The Executive has asked you to include the project's expected benefits. Which of the following should you include in the outline Business Case?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that the outline Business Case requires the same level of detail as the full Business Case, such as detailed cost-benefit analysis or complete risk registers.
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
✓
A summary of the expected benefits and how they will be measured
The outline Business Case should include a summary of the expected benefits and how they will be measured, as this provides an initial justification for the project. In this payroll system project, benefits such as cost savings and improved accuracy must be outlined, with measures to track them, to allow the Project Board to decide whether to proceed to the next stage.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A summary of the expected benefits and how they will be measured
Why this is correct
The outline Business Case should include a summary of the expected benefits and how they will be measured. For the payroll system project, this could include benefits such as reduced processing time and fewer errors, with measures like time per payroll cycle and error rates. This summary provides the Project Board with an initial view of the project's value and is refined later in the full Business Case.
- ✗
A complete risk register with all identified risks and responses
Why it's wrong here
A complete risk register is not part of the outline Business Case. The outline Business Case includes a summary of major risks, but the detailed risk register is created and maintained separately, often during 'Initiating a Project'. The risk register contains detailed information about each risk, including responses and owners, which is beyond the scope of the outline Business Case.
- ✗
A detailed project plan with all activities, dependencies, and resources
Why it's wrong here
A detailed project plan is developed during 'Initiating a Project' and is not part of the outline Business Case. The outline Business Case provides a high-level justification for the project, including expected benefits and costs, but does not include the detailed plan. The plan is a separate document that describes how the project will be executed and controlled.
- ✗
A detailed cost-benefit analysis with net present value calculations
Why it's wrong here
A detailed cost-benefit analysis with net present value calculations is typically developed during the 'Initiating a Project' process when the full Business Case is prepared. The outline Business Case in 'Starting up a Project' contains a summary of the expected benefits and costs, but not the detailed financial analysis. Including such detail at this early stage would be premature and based on limited information.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PeopleCert exam blueprint
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