Progress Theme

Question 1

What is the purpose of the progress theme?

Answer 1

To establish the mechanisms to monitor and compare actual achievements against those planned, provide a forecast for the project objectives and continued viability, and control any unacceptable deviations

Question 2

What are the two types of control under the progress theme?

Answer 2

1. Time-Driven

2. Event-Driven

Question 3

What is a time-driven control?

Answer 3

Reports issued at a defined frequency, such as checkpoint and highlight reports

Question 4

What is an event-driven control?

Answer 4

Occurs when a specific events occurs, such as the completion of a stage or the authorization of a work package

Question 5

What are the four main controls of the Project Board under the Progress Theme?

Answer 5

1. Authorizations (of initiation, project, each stage and closure)
2. Highlight Reports (Regular progress reports from the Project Manager)
3. Exception reports and issue reports (Early warnings of any deviation beyond tolerance levels)
4. Exception assessment (the Project Board considers what action to take in response to a forecast deviation)

Question 6

What are the three main controls of the Project Manager under the Progress Theme?

Answer 6

1. Authorizations (of work packages)
2. Progress updates (including checkpoint reports of team managers)
3. Exceptions and changes (using daily log, issues register, product status account, quality register and risk register)

Question 7

Who sets the overall tolerance levels for a project?

Answer 7

Corporate or Programme Management

Question 8

Where are tolerances for time, cost and scope set?

Answer 8

In the project plan, stage plan and work package

Question 9

Where are risk tolerances set?

Answer 9

In the risk management approach

Question 10

Where are quality tolerances set?

Answer 10

In the project product description

Question 11

Where are benefit tolerances set?

Answer 11

In the business case

Question 12

What must a Prince2 project do as a minimum under the progress theme? (5)

Answer 12

• Define its approach to controlling progress in the PID
• Be managed in stages
• Set tolerances
• Review the business justification when exceptions are raised
• Learn lessons to improve performance

Question 13

How is control in a project provided by Prince2? (3)

Answer 13

• Delegating authority downwards
• Dividing a project into management stages
• Time-driven and event-driven progress reporting and reviews, and raising exceptions