In PRINCE2 7, the Issues Practice and Principles share a fundamental relationship that ensures effective project management through structured problem-solving aligned with core governance concepts. Issues represent any relevant events that require management attention during a project, including pr…In PRINCE2 7, the Issues Practice and Principles share a fundamental relationship that ensures effective project management through structured problem-solving aligned with core governance concepts. Issues represent any relevant events that require management attention during a project, including problems, concerns, requests for change, and off-specifications. The relationship between Issues and PRINCE2 Principles creates a cohesive framework for addressing challenges. The principle of Continued Business Justification connects to issues management by requiring that all issues be evaluated against their impact on the Business Case. When an issue arises, project teams must assess whether resolving it maintains project viability. Managing by Exception ties closely to issue handling through defined tolerances. Issues that exceed tolerance levels must be escalated appropriately, ensuring proper authority levels make decisions. This creates clear boundaries for decision-making. Focus on Products ensures that issue resolution considers the impact on project deliverables and their quality requirements. Each issue must be evaluated for how it affects the agreed products and specifications. Learn from Experience encourages teams to capture lessons from issue resolution, building organizational knowledge that prevents similar problems in future projects. Define Roles and Responsibilities ensures clear accountability for issue management, with specific individuals authorized to make decisions at appropriate levels. Manage by Stages enables structured issue assessment at stage boundaries, allowing for comprehensive review of outstanding issues before proceeding. Tailor to the Project Environment recognizes that issue management processes should be scaled appropriately based on project complexity, size, and risk profile. Together, these relationships ensure that issue management remains principled, consistent, and aligned with organizational governance while maintaining flexibility to address unique project circumstances effectively.
Issues and Principles Relationship in PRINCE2 Foundation v7
Why It Is Important
Understanding the relationship between the Issues practice and PRINCE2 principles is crucial for exam success. The Issues practice does not operate in isolation; it is deeply connected to the seven principles that guide all PRINCE2 projects. Recognizing these connections helps you understand how issue management supports effective project governance and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
What Is the Issues and Principles Relationship?
The Issues practice in PRINCE2 provides a systematic approach to capturing, assessing, and resolving any concerns, questions, or problems that arise during a project. This practice aligns with and supports several PRINCE2 principles:
Continued Business Justification - Issues must be assessed for their impact on the business case. Any issue that threatens the project's viability must be escalated and addressed to ensure ongoing justification for the project.
Learn from Experience - The Issues practice captures lessons learned through issue resolution. These experiences inform future projects and improve organizational capability.
Defined Roles and Responsibilities - Clear ownership of issues is essential. The practice defines who can raise issues, who assesses them, and who has authority to resolve them at different levels.
Manage by Stages - Issues are reviewed at stage boundaries to determine their impact on subsequent stages and overall project health.
Manage by Exception - Issues that exceed tolerances must be escalated to the appropriate management level, supporting exception-based governance.
Focus on Products - Issues often relate to product quality, requirements, or specifications, ensuring that product-focused delivery remains on track.
Tailor to the Environment - The Issues practice should be scaled appropriately based on project complexity, organizational standards, and stakeholder needs.
How It Works
When an issue is raised, it enters the issue management procedure:
1. Capture - The issue is logged in the Issue Register with relevant details 2. Assess - The issue is analyzed for its impact on time, cost, quality, scope, benefits, and risk 3. Propose - Options for resolution are developed 4. Decide - The appropriate authority makes a decision based on defined tolerances 5. Implement - The chosen course of action is executed
Throughout this process, the principles guide behavior. For example, if an issue threatens business justification, it must be escalated per the manage by exception principle.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Issues and Principles Relationship
Tip 1: When a question asks about escalating issues, think about the manage by exception principle. Issues beyond tolerance levels require escalation to the next management level.
Tip 2: Questions linking issues to the business case connect to the continued business justification principle. Consider how issues affect project viability.
Tip 3: If asked about documenting issue resolutions for future reference, this relates to the learn from experience principle.
Tip 4: Questions about who should handle specific issues connect to defined roles and responsibilities. Know the authority levels of Project Manager, Project Board, and Team Manager.
Tip 5: Look for keywords in questions such as escalate, tolerance, business case impact, lessons, and authority to identify which principle is being tested.
Tip 6: Remember that all practices in PRINCE2 must align with the principles. The principles provide the foundation, while practices like Issues provide the mechanism for implementation.
Tip 7: When multiple answer options seem correct, choose the one that best demonstrates alignment with PRINCE2 principles rather than generic project management approaches.