Review Work Package Status is a critical activity within the Controlling a Stage process in PRINCE2 7. This activity ensures the Project Manager maintains oversight of all work being executed during a management stage, enabling effective monitoring and control of project progress.
The primary purp…Review Work Package Status is a critical activity within the Controlling a Stage process in PRINCE2 7. This activity ensures the Project Manager maintains oversight of all work being executed during a management stage, enabling effective monitoring and control of project progress.
The primary purpose of reviewing work package status is to gather accurate information about how work is progressing compared to the agreed plans. The Project Manager receives regular updates from Team Managers or team members who are executing the work packages. These updates typically include information about completed products, work in progress, time and cost expenditure, quality results, and any issues or risks that have emerged.
During this review, the Project Manager assesses whether work packages are on track to deliver their planned products within the agreed tolerances for time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits. This assessment involves comparing actual progress against the baseline established in the Stage Plan and Work Package agreements.
Key information gathered during the review includes checkpoint reports, which provide regular snapshots of work package progress. The Project Manager evaluates whether products are being completed according to their quality criteria and whether any deviations require corrective action.
If the review identifies that work is progressing satisfactorily within tolerances, the Project Manager can continue with normal stage execution. However, if problems are identified, the Project Manager must decide on appropriate actions, which might include taking corrective measures, escalating issues to the Project Board through exception reports, or raising new issues for formal handling.
This review activity feeds into updating the Stage Plan and contributes to the information needed for Highlight Reports, which keep the Project Board informed of overall stage progress. Regular and thorough work package status reviews are essential for maintaining control and ensuring successful project delivery within PRINCE2's management by exception principle.
Review Work Package Status - PRINCE2 Foundation V7 Complete Guide
Introduction to Review Work Package Status
Review Work Package Status is a critical activity within the Controlling a Stage process in PRINCE2. It ensures that the Project Manager maintains oversight of all work being performed by Team Managers and keeps the project on track throughout each management stage.
Why is Review Work Package Status Important?
This activity is essential for several reasons:
• Progress Monitoring: It allows the Project Manager to track how work is progressing against the agreed Work Package tolerances • Early Problem Detection: Issues, risks, and potential deviations can be identified before they escalate • Quality Assurance: Ensures that quality requirements are being met as work progresses • Informed Decision Making: Provides the data needed to make sound management decisions • Stakeholder Confidence: Demonstrates that the project is being actively managed and controlled
What is Review Work Package Status?
Review Work Package Status is an ongoing activity performed by the Project Manager during stage execution. It involves:
• Receiving and analyzing Checkpoint Reports from Team Managers • Comparing actual progress against planned progress • Identifying any variances from the agreed Work Package • Assessing whether tolerances are being maintained • Evaluating the quality of products being created • Reviewing any issues or risks that have emerged
How Does Review Work Package Status Work?
The process follows a structured approach:
Step 1: Receive Checkpoint Reports Team Managers submit Checkpoint Reports at agreed intervals, providing updates on progress, problems encountered, and forecasts for completion.
Step 2: Analyze Progress Information The Project Manager reviews the reported information against the Work Package agreement, checking schedule progress, effort expended, and quality activities completed.
Step 3: Identify Variances Any differences between planned and actual progress are noted, along with their potential impact on the Stage Plan and overall project.
Step 4: Determine Required Actions Based on the analysis, the Project Manager decides what corrective actions may be needed, whether to escalate issues, or whether to update registers and logs.
Step 5: Update Project Records The Issue Register, Risk Register, and other project records are updated based on new information received.
Key Inputs and Outputs
Inputs: • Checkpoint Reports • Work Package agreements • Stage Plan • Issue Register • Risk Register
Outputs: • Updated registers and logs • Corrective actions • Information for Highlight Reports • Exception escalations (if needed)
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Review Work Package Status
Tip 1: Know the Responsibility Remember that this is a Project Manager activity, not a Team Manager activity. Team Managers produce Checkpoint Reports; the Project Manager reviews them.
Tip 2: Understand the Trigger This activity is triggered by receiving Checkpoint Reports or other progress information from Team Managers at agreed frequencies.
Tip 3: Focus on Tolerances Questions often test whether you understand that the purpose is to verify Work Packages remain within tolerance. If tolerances are forecast to be exceeded, escalation is required.
Tip 4: Connect to Other Activities Understand how this activity feeds into Report Highlights and Take Corrective Action. Information gathered here supports Highlight Reports to the Project Board.
Tip 5: Remember Quality Aspects This review includes checking that quality activities are being performed and quality requirements are being met, not just schedule and cost.
Tip 6: Distinguish from Accepting Work Packages Review Work Package Status is ongoing monitoring during execution. Accepting a completed Work Package is a separate activity that occurs when work is finished.
Common Exam Question Themes: • Who is responsible for this activity • What report triggers this review • What happens when tolerances are forecast to be exceeded • The relationship between Checkpoint Reports and Highlight Reports • Which registers may be updated as a result