The End Stage Report is a crucial document within the PRINCE2 7 Progress Practice that provides a comprehensive summary of stage performance and supports informed decision-making for project continuation. This report is produced by the Project Manager at the conclusion of each management stage and …The End Stage Report is a crucial document within the PRINCE2 7 Progress Practice that provides a comprehensive summary of stage performance and supports informed decision-making for project continuation. This report is produced by the Project Manager at the conclusion of each management stage and submitted to the Project Board for review during the Managing a Stage Boundary process.
The primary purpose of the End Stage Report is to give the Project Board sufficient information to evaluate whether the project should proceed to the next stage, require modifications, or potentially be closed prematurely. It serves as a formal checkpoint that enables governance and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Key contents of the End Stage Report include a summary of what was achieved during the completed stage compared to what was planned. This encompasses actual versus planned performance in terms of time, cost, scope, quality, benefits, and risk. The report highlights any deviations from the Stage Plan and explains the reasons behind variances.
The document also provides an updated view of the overall project status, including revised forecasts for project completion. It contains information about lessons learned during the stage, which contributes to continuous improvement. Any issues that remain unresolved and their potential impact on future stages are documented.
The End Stage Report supports the Progress theme by enabling the Project Board to exercise control through regular checkpoints. It facilitates the manage by exception principle by clearly presenting performance against tolerances. When stage tolerances have been exceeded, the report helps explain circumstances and proposed remedial actions.
This report differs from the Highlight Report, which provides regular updates during a stage, whereas the End Stage Report offers a complete retrospective analysis. The information contained supports the Project Board in making authorization decisions and ensures that projects remain viable and aligned with business objectives throughout their duration.
End Stage Report - PRINCE2 Foundation V7 Complete Guide
What is an End Stage Report?
An End Stage Report is a management product created by the Project Manager at the end of each management stage. It provides the Project Board with a summary of progress and performance during the stage that has just completed, enabling them to make informed decisions about whether to authorize the next stage.
Why is the End Stage Report Important?
The End Stage Report serves several critical purposes:
• Accountability: It provides a formal record of what was achieved during the stage compared to what was planned • Decision Support: It gives the Project Board the information they need to decide whether to continue with the project • Learning: It captures lessons learned during the stage for future reference • Transparency: It ensures stakeholders have visibility of project performance • Control: It supports the management by exception principle by reporting on tolerance status
How Does the End Stage Report Work?
The End Stage Report is produced during the Managing a Stage Boundary process. The Project Manager compiles information about the completed stage, including:
• Performance against the Stage Plan: How well did the stage perform against time, cost, quality, scope, benefits, and risk targets? • Products delivered: What products were completed and approved during the stage? • Lessons: What lessons were identified that could help the current project or future projects? • Issues and risks: Summary of current open issues and risks • Forecast: Updated project-level forecasts based on stage performance
The report is submitted to the Project Board along with the Stage Plan for the next stage and any exception plan if tolerances were exceeded.
Key Contents of an End Stage Report
• Stage objectives achieved • Performance against planned targets for all six performance targets • Review of the Business Case • Review of Project Plan • Issues and risks status • Lessons Report reference • Follow-on action recommendations
When is the End Stage Report NOT Produced?
An End Stage Report is not produced at the end of the final stage. Instead, an End Project Report is created because the project is closing rather than transitioning to another stage.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on End Stage Report
1. Remember the owner: The Project Manager creates the End Stage Report, and it is submitted to the Project Board
2. Know the timing: It is produced during Managing a Stage Boundary, not during Closing a Project
3. Distinguish from similar products: Do not confuse the End Stage Report with the End Project Report or Checkpoint Reports. End Stage Reports cover whole stages, Checkpoint Reports cover shorter periods
4. Connect to processes: Questions may ask which process produces this product - the answer is Managing a Stage Boundary
5. Understand the purpose: Focus on the fact that this report supports the Project Board in deciding whether to authorize the next stage
6. Final stage exception: Remember that no End Stage Report is produced for the final stage - this is a common exam question
7. Link to management by exception: The report supports this principle by providing performance information against tolerances
8. Six performance targets: Be aware that the report covers performance against time, cost, quality, scope, benefits, and risk
Common Exam Question Formats
• Who is responsible for producing the End Stage Report? (Project Manager) • Which process produces the End Stage Report? (Managing a Stage Boundary) • What is the purpose of the End Stage Report? (To inform the Project Board about stage performance to support authorization decisions) • When is an End Stage Report NOT produced? (At the end of the final stage)