Report Highlights is a crucial activity within the Controlling a Stage process in PRINCE2 7. This activity focuses on keeping stakeholders informed about the progress and status of work being undertaken during a management stage. The project manager is responsible for producing highlight reports at…Report Highlights is a crucial activity within the Controlling a Stage process in PRINCE2 7. This activity focuses on keeping stakeholders informed about the progress and status of work being undertaken during a management stage. The project manager is responsible for producing highlight reports at regular intervals as defined in the Communication Management approach. These reports provide a summary of the stage status and are typically sent to the project board and other relevant stakeholders. The frequency of highlight reports is usually determined during project initiation and documented in the Project Initiation Documentation. Common intervals include weekly or fortnightly reporting, though this can be adjusted based on project complexity and stakeholder requirements. A highlight report typically contains several key elements including the current period status, what was achieved during the reporting period, what is planned for the next period, any issues or risks that have emerged, and tolerance status. The report should also highlight any deviations from the stage plan and provide an overall assessment of project health. The purpose of Report Highlights is to maintain transparency and enable effective oversight by the project board. By providing regular updates, the project board can make informed decisions about the project's continuation and take corrective action if needed. This activity supports the PRINCE2 principle of managing by exception, as highlight reports help identify when tolerances might be exceeded, prompting escalation through exception reports if necessary. Report Highlights also contributes to the lessons learned throughout the project by documenting what is working well and what challenges have been encountered. This information supports continuous improvement and helps the organization develop better practices for future projects.
Report Highlights in PRINCE2 v7 - Controlling a Stage Process
What are Report Highlights?
Report Highlights are regular progress reports created by the Project Manager and sent to the Project Board during a management stage. They provide a snapshot of the project's current status, keeping the Project Board informed between formal review points.
Why are Report Highlights Important?
Report Highlights serve several critical purposes:
• Communication: They maintain a clear communication channel between the Project Manager and Project Board • Transparency: They ensure stakeholders have visibility of project progress • Early Warning: They help identify potential issues before they escalate • Governance: They support the management by exception principle by keeping the board informed • Decision Support: They provide information the board needs to make timely decisions
How Report Highlights Work
The Report Highlights process operates as follows:
1. Frequency: The Project Manager creates these reports at intervals defined in the Communication Management approach 2. Content: Reports typically include progress summary, achievements, issues, risks, and forecast for the next period 3. Distribution: Sent to the Project Board and potentially other stakeholders as defined in project documentation 4. Timing: Produced throughout the stage at regular, predetermined intervals
Key Components of a Highlight Report
• Date and reporting period • Status summary (traffic light or similar) • Work completed this period • Work planned for next period • Issues and risks summary • Tolerance status • Products completed
Report Highlights within Controlling a Stage
Within the Controlling a Stage process, Report Highlights fit into the activity of reporting progress. The Project Manager uses Work Package status information and checkpoint reports from Team Managers to compile these updates.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Report Highlights
• Remember the audience: Highlight Reports go TO the Project Board FROM the Project Manager • Know the frequency: Reports are produced at intervals agreed in the Communication Management approach, not at random times • Understand the purpose: These reports keep the board informed, supporting management by exception • Distinguish from other reports: Checkpoint Reports come from Team Managers to the Project Manager; Highlight Reports go from Project Manager to Project Board • Link to principles: Connect Report Highlights to the principle of defined roles and responsibilities • Context matters: If a question mentions regular board updates during a stage, think Report Highlights • Look for keywords: Questions mentioning 'progress reporting', 'board communication', or 'stage updates' often relate to Highlight Reports
Common Exam Scenarios
• Questions asking who produces Highlight Reports (Answer: Project Manager) • Questions about when they are created (Answer: At defined intervals during a stage) • Questions about their purpose (Answer: To keep the Project Board informed of progress) • Questions distinguishing between Checkpoint Reports and Highlight Reports