Prince 2020

PRINCE2 2020 Changes, Scope Creep and Tolerance Exam Questions
As Keeping a Firm
a PRINCE2 Coach, Hand
Trainer on Project
and Consultant Issues
(not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far and away
the most common question and confusion is about project changes and tolerances.
As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by

Those cunning examiners will deliberately set question types that tempt your resolve to follow
far and away the most common question and confusion is about project changes
common sense and a sharp reminder to recall what PRINCE2 says.
and tolerances.
Those cunning examiners will deliberately set question types that tempt your resolve
NOTE: Not interested
to follow commonin sense
PRINCE2
and- just projectreminder
a sharp management best practices?
to recall Then readsays.
what PRINCE2 on, because
this article is ALL about managing change - in ANY project ...
NOTE: Not interested in PRINCE2? - just project management best practices? Then
read on, because this article is ALL about managing change - in ANY project ...
I was spurred to write this article by an excellent question raised by one of my smart students (you
I was
know whospurred
you are!)to write this article by an excellent question raised by one of my
smart students (you know who you are!)
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
I have a question about a scenario in the Change Theme which is causing some
confusion in understanding particularly with respect to prioritizing and considering
tolerances,
I have a questionand wonder
about if you
a scenario canChange
in the confirm/correct
Theme whichmy understanding.
is causing some confusion in
understanding particularly with respect to prioritising and considering tolerances, and wonder if
youIncan confirm/correct
a scenario wheremythere
understanding.
are many RFC's raised in a project, the Project Manager
would record the issues in the Issue Register (assuming they are all to be managed
formally), then assess the issues, recommend actions and recorded the information in
In athe Issue Report/s.
scenario where thereIfare
themany
Project
RFC'sManager
raised in arecommends any actions
project, the Project Managerthat arerecord
would forecast
thetoissues
breach
in thetolerance, then
Issue Register he/shethey
(assuming would
are have need
all to be to seek
managed advise then
formally), fromassess
the Project
the
Board as well?
issues, recommend actions and recorded the information in the Issue Report/s. If the Project
Manager recommends any actions that are forecast to breach tolerance, then he/she would have
If into the
need seekPRINCE2 Exam,
advise from a question
the Project Board is
asasked
well? whether it is appropriate to use the
MoSCoW technique to prioritize the RFC's, is the answer 'Yes'?
If inMy
theunderstanding
PRINCE2 Exam, ais question
that it isis OK
askedforwhether
the Project Board/Change
it is appropriate Authority
to use the MocCow to use the
technique
MoSCoW
to prioritise thetechnique
RFC's, is thetoanswer
prioritize
'Yes'?the RFC's. In addition, when the Project Board
performs the 'Decide on corrective Actions' step for each RFC in the prioritized list, it
may 'Approve the change', 'Reject the Change', 'Defer decision', Request for more
info.', or 'Ask for an Exception Plan'.
MyIsunderstanding is that itcorrect?
my understanding is ok for the Project Board/Change Authority to use the MosCow
technique to prioritise the RFC's. In addition, when the Project Board performs the 'Decide on
-----------------------------------
corrective Actions' step for each RFC in the prioritised list, it may 'Approve the change', 'Reject the
Change', 'Defer decision', Request for more info.', or 'Ask for an Exception Plan'.
Okay dear reader, first let me get your emotions bubbling even further - here are
justunderstanding
Is my 3 excerpts from typical exam questions including part of the above question:
correct?
Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 2

-----------------------------------
As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

As 1. A change
a PRINCE2 authority
Coach, has Consultant
Trainer and been appointed for the
(not to mention an project. During
ex-examiner!), by development,
far and away
several changes were proposed to the end-product design. The
the most common question and confusion is about project changes and tolerances.change authority
used the MoSCoW technique to prioritize those change impacts - is this
appropriate?
(Note:sense
common this and
is giving you
a sharp a rib-digging
reminder on whether
to recall what PRINCE2 you
says.fully understand the change
request sequence of steps)
2. Marketing want to add a new product item to the project, and this has been
approved by theinproject
PRINCE2board.
- just project management
It is expected to best practices?
delay stage Then read on, by
completion because
5
thisdays
articleand
is ALL about managing change - in ANY project ...
cost an extra $2,500. The Stage cost tolerance of $2,000 has not been
used - neither has the change budget of $800 been used yet. How could this
change be funded?
(Note:
know this are!)
who you confidence-killer is just teasing you and suggesting tolerances and
change budgets can be used as a slush-fund - don't be tempted!)
-----------------------------------
One more ...
I have a question
3. Two workabout a scenario
packages mustin the Change
occur one Theme whichother
after the is causing some confusion
and cannot in in
be done
understanding particularly
parallel. Both with respect
have zero to prioritising
tolerances. Duringand consideringthere
execution, tolerances, and wonder
is a problem in ifthe
youfirst
can work
confirm/correct
package, mysounderstanding.
the team manager rescheduled that first work package to
one week later. He reported this fact to the project manager in his weekly
checkpoint report. Is this okay?
In a scenario where there are many RFC's raised in a project, the Project Manager would record
the(Note:
issues in- the
no Issue
it's bloody
Registernot! Againthey
(assuming those
arecunning
all to befoxes
managed the formally),
Examiners, thenare testing
assess the
yourrecommend
issues, mettle about theand
actions rules behind
recorded thetolerances
information -inand finding
the Issue out whether
Report/s. you fully
If the Project
understand them...)
need to seek advise from the Project Board as well?
Okay, have I got your juices flowing yet?
If inHelp is at hand
the PRINCE2 - I awill
Exam, now demystify
question the whole
is asked whether can of worms
it is appropriate to use...the MocCow technique
to prioritise the RFC's, is the answer 'Yes'?
My understanding is that it is ok for the Project Board/Change Authority to use the MosCow
Is my understanding correct?

-----------------------------------

As Managing Change
a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer andBasics
Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far and away
To be following PRINCE2, a project must, as a minimum:
Those define
cunning its changewill
examiners control approach.
deliberately This approach
set question types that must
temptminimally cover:
your resolve to follow
commonhow issues
sense andare identified
a sharp reminderand managed
to recall what PRINCE2 says.
assessing whether identified issues might have a material impact on the business
NOTE:justification ofinthe
Not interested project- just
PRINCE2 (PRINCE2's continuedbest
project management business justification
practices? Then readprinciple)
on, because
the roles and responsibilities for change control (PRINCE2's defined roles and
responsibilities principle), including a defined change authority
I was define
spurred how
to write this article
product by an excellent
baselines question
are created, raised by one
maintained andof controlled
my smart students (you
know who you are!)
maintain some form of issue register to record identified issues and decisions
-----------------------------------
relating to their analysis, management and review
ensure that project issues are captured, examined, managed and reviewed
I have a question about a scenario in the Change Theme which is causing some confusion in
throughout the project lifecycle
you can confirm/correct my understanding.
use lessons to inform issue identification and management (PRINCE2's learn from
experience principle).
thePRINCE2
issues in therequires that (assuming
Issue Register the following products
they are all to be are produced
managed andthen
formally), maintained:
assess the
ManagerIssuerecommends
register captures and
any actions thatmaintains information
are forecast on all thethen
to breach tolerance, issues thatwould
he/she are have
being
need toformally managed
seek advise from the Project Board as well?
Change control approach Identifies how, and by whom, the project's products will
bePRINCE2
If in the controlled and
Exam, protected
a question is asked whether it is appropriate to use the MocCow technique
If the issue register does not contain sufficient detail (e.g. for the options
appraisal, recommendation and decision), then a separate issue report can be
used but this is an optional management product
technique
The toproject's
prioritisecontrols
the RFC's.for
In addition,
issues andwhen the Project
change Board
will be performs
defined andtheestablished
'Decide on
corrective Actions'
during step for each
the initiating RFC in the
a project prioritised
process, list,reviewed
then it may 'Approve
and (ifthenecessary)
change', 'Reject the
updated
towards the end of each management stage by the managing a stage boundary
process

-----------------------------------

As All very good.

a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far and away
Next you MUST understand there are THREE types of changes that can occur in
any project:
A Request
common sense and for change
a sharp reminder to recall what PRINCE2 says.
An Off-specification
NOTE:Problem/concern
Not interested in PRINCE2 - just
(frankly project
this couldmanagement
ALSO include best 'a
practices? Then read
good idea' - thaton,will
because
need
this article is ALL about managing
something changed - right?) change - in ANY project ...
IMPORTANT.
It iswho
know only
youCorporate/Programme
are!) Management who can request an Exception Plan -
if a Work Package tolerance is forecast to be exceeded, then the Team Manager
raises this as an Issue.
-----------------------------------
Take special notice of the FIVE possible decisions/actions they can take
My graphicparticularly
understanding below explains these:
with respect to prioritising and considering tolerances, and wonder if
the issues in the Issue Register (assuming they are all to be managed formally), then assess the
If in the PRINCE2 Exam, a question is asked whether it is appropriate to use the MocCow technique

-----------------------------------

As THE IMPORTANT
a PRINCE2 BIT! and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far and away
Coach, Trainer
Drill this into your head - changes of any type all fall UNDER the umbrella of
Tolerance.
Tolerance
common is setting
sense and a sharpthe rules for
reminder Management
to recall By Exception.
what PRINCE2 says.
The escalation of a Tolerance situation must first be escalated when that tolerance
is FORECAST to be exceeded - we don't sit around at the bar on the Titanic saying
NOTE: Not -interested
"so far so good" in PRINCE2 - just project management best practices? Then read on, because
"Keep drinking chaps - I have escalated the fact we have exceeded ship hull-to-ice
Tolerance to the captain - another large gin and tonic please bar-keep!"
know who you are!)
-----------------------------------
So no matter how much detail an exam question is giving you about some situation
regarding changes - whether its about to happen, whether it might happen, or even
In ait scenario
has happened - the
where there areFIRST
manycriteria you inmust
RFC's raised ascertain
a project, - is, "has
the Project this situation
Manager would record
caused (the Forecast of) Tolerance to be exceeded?"
If it HAS
Manager - then you
recommends any*MUST* escalate
actions that it immediately
are forecast - no ifsthen
to breach tolerance, buts or ands!
he/she would have
Even If the situation does not appear to exceed tolerances, then follow the change
control process.
See it this way, Tolerance is the umbrella under which ALL changes and issues
occur

-----------------------------------

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far and away
NOTE: Not interested in PRINCE2 - just project management best practices? Then read on, because
know who you are!)
-----------------------------------
Now ontoparticularly
understanding the next knotty problem:
with respect to prioritising and considering tolerances, and wonder if
Change Authorities, Budgets and Concessions
In aThe first point
scenario whereisthere
to remember the FOUR
are many RFC's raised inlevels of Tolerance
a project, authority
the Project Manager (seerecord
would below
thegraphic):
issues in the Issue Register (assuming they are all to be managed formally), then assess the

-----------------------------------

As WITHIN
a PRINCE2those authority
Coach, levels
Trainer and (although
Consultant (not itto ismention
normally ever done atbyproject
an ex-examiner!), far andlevel)
away
are three aspects that must be understood:
Change Authority. Keep a clear head - this is saying nothing more than "those
Those at eachexaminers
cunning tolerancewilllevel are responsible
deliberately fortypes
set question managing change
that tempt WITHIN
your resolve that
to follow
commontolerance
sense and a sharp reminder to recall what PRINCE2 says.
It's just that common practice for the Project Board (because they have busy days
playing golf - *joke*), that they will often delegate their change and issue
NOTE:management
Not interested responsibilities
in PRINCE2 - just project management
to a "Change best practices? Then read on, because
Authority"
They can ONLY delegate the actions - NOT the 'buck stops here' responsibility
for project-level tolerances
know It is Corporate
who you are!) or Programme Management who ALONE have the authority to
SET project level tolerances for the Project Board - the Project Board ALONE can
-----------------------------------
set Stage level tolerances, and the Project Manager ALONE who can set Work
Package tolerances
If you
I have are notabout
a question cleara about
scenariothat,
in themy graphic
Change below
Theme whichwill do the some
is causing job to clear your
confusion in
head:
IMPORTANT
Theunderstanding
Is my Change Authority
correct? must still obey Tolerance settings

-----------------------------------

As A Concession
a PRINCE2 atTrainer
Coach, any level, can only (not
and Consultant be to
made WITHIN
mention Tolerance by
an ex-examiner!), settings
far and away
A Change budget is ONLY there (if it is set up) to pay to fund the approved
changes and any management costs involved for each change (such as the resource
costs of analyzing the change)
EXAM HINT.
Resist any question suggestions that change budgets (or risk budgets) or worst of
all Tolerances in PRINCE2
- can be used- just
to project management
fix off-plan best practices?
spending. No They Then read on, because
Can't!
Moving on - next up, you need to be crystal clear about the steps in taking an issue
from first identification, right through to resolution.
The
know whoPRINCE2
you are!) Issue and Change Management Procedure
-----------------------------------
Again, a common ploy in tricky exam questions is to set the reader up (that's you!),
by suggesting a course of action has already been put in place - the smart Project
Manager will first remind themselves of the following graphic (go to bed
memorizing this, and wake up drawing it!)

-----------------------------------

As Pay close attention

a PRINCE2 to the
Coach, Trainer andblue boxes(not
Consultant showing the an
to mention FIVE steps:
ex-examiner!), by far and away
- Capture, Examine (Impact Analysis), Propose, Decide, and Implement.
Ask yourself this question:

"If some
common senseform
and of issuereminder
a sharp situationtoarises, HOW
recall what does the
PRINCE2 says.project manager know the
correct action to move the situation forward?"
See, don't just view the above graphic as "a PRINCE2 procedure for managing
issues", in PRINCE2
rather, see - just project
it as a superb management best
problem-solving practices?for
technique Thenmanaging
read on, because
day-
thisto-day
article isproject
ALL about managing
situations - change - in ANY project ...
It *really* is that good!

Many
know who exam questions try to get you to side-step the Examine step.
you are!)
-----------------------------------
And here's another point. For small simple projects or small simple issues, those FIVE
steps above may be done in a very informal, quick and simple manner. The
Examine step could be a desk-side chat, or a swift sketch - taking just 15 minutes or
I have
so. a question about a scenario in the Change Theme which is causing some confusion in
youStep
can confirm/correct
FOUR above my understanding.
is the killer - no matter how small, simple, or informal - the
Decide step must be carried out by the appropriate level of Tolerance authority -
Got It?!
theThink
issues on this,Issue
in the howRegister
can you know if
(assuming theare
they situation
all to bewill cause formally),
managed tolerancethen
to be exceeded
assess the
if you
issues, don't first
recommend examine/analyze
actions and recorded thethe situation?
information in the Issue Report/s. If the Project
How
need can advise
to seek you Propose
from the(the next
Project step)asany
Board well?sort of action unless you have first
analysed it?
If inAnd
the while
PRINCE2I am at it.
Exam, Do youisremember
a question the itfirst
asked whether those 3 exam
is appropriate to usequestion snippets
the MocCow I
technique
gave you?
Notice in the diagram above, the Examine/Impact Analysis Step - see that little
green box? It suggests that you need, for each issue, to ascertain
its Severity and Priority.
This is where MoSCoW could come into play ...

-----------------------------------

As Also - andCoach,
a PRINCE2 this is Trainer
where and
Tolerance and
Consultant (notissue management
to mention collide -by
an ex-examiner!), wefarcome to
and away
the Decide Step.
In any exam question, ask yourself WHO has the Tolerance authority to decide.
That'ssense
common whoand
needs to Decide.
a sharp reminder to recall what PRINCE2 says.
Here's my Umbrella diagram again - remember this and you will never get
confused about Change and Tolerance questions ...
know who you are!)
-----------------------------------
youThat's
can confirm/correct
It. my understanding.
DO drop me an email when you become a PRINCE2 Practitioner - or just a better

In aProject
scenarioManager byare
where there following my raised
many RFC's advicein above.
a project, the Project Manager would record
If you
issues, need a actions
recommend stonking
andgreat training,
recorded certification
the information in theand
Issueeducation
Report/s. Ifinthe
PRINCE2
Project - look
no further
Manager than ourany
recommends Projex
actionsAcademy PRINCE2
that are forecast Masterclass
to breach tolerance, -then
created
he/sheby an ex-
would have
PRINCE2
need Examiner
to seek advise fromand a battle-hardened
the Project Board as well? in-the-trenches senior project manager
..............ME!

-----------------------------------

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far and away
Check out PMP Masterclass – https://www.projex.com/pmp

know who you are!)
-----------------------------------
Now comes with our PMP Online Exam Simulator (2,000 questions and
answers):
Find out more about Projex Academy project management training courses at:
If inhttps://www.projex.com/shop/
the PRINCE2 Exam, a question is asked whether it is appropriate to use the MocCow technique
Keep focused,

-----------------------------------

Prince 2020

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Prince 2020

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PRINCE2 2020 Changes, Scope Creep and Tolerance Exam Questions

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 2

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 3

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 4

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

As All very good.

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 5

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 6

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 7

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 8

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 9

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

As Pay close attention

Ask yourself this question:

It *really* is that good!

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 10

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

DO drop me an email when you become a PRINCE2 Practitioner - or just a better

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 11

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

Check out PMP Masterclass – https://www.projex.com/pmp

Projex Academyprince2_2020_changes_scope_creep_tolerance_exam_questions Page | 12

As a PRINCE2 Coach, Trainer and Consultant (not to mention an ex-examiner!), by far

You might also like

It really is that good!