Analyzing Principle Application

Analyzing Principle Application in PRINCE2 Practitioner v7

What is Analyzing Principle Application?

In the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam, Analyzing Principle Application refers to the ability to evaluate a specific project scenario and determine whether the management actions, decisions, or documentation align with the seven universal PRINCE2 principles. It is not merely about reciting the principles (e.g., 'Manage by Exception' or 'Focus on Products'); it is about diagnosing whether the project team is actually behaving in a way that upholds these obligations. If a project violates any of the seven principles, it cannot be considered a PRINCE2 project.

Why is it Important?

The principles are the bedrock of the methodology. While themes and processes can be tailored significantly, principles are universal and self-validating. Understanding how to analyze their application is crucial because:
1. Validation: It confirms if the project is genuinely being managed using PRINCE2.
2. Health Check: It helps identify root causes of project failure (e.g., a lack of business justification).
3. Tailoring Guide: You cannot effectively tailor the method without understanding the underlying principles that must remain intact.

How it Works

When analyzing principle application, you are essentially acting as a project auditor. You must compare the Scenario (what is happening) against the Definition of the principle. The process usually involves three steps:

1. Identification: Identify the action or decision described in the question (e.g., 'The project manager accepted a significant change without consulting the Project Board').
2. Correlation: Map this action to the relevant principle (e.g., 'Manage by Exception').
3. Assessment: Determine if the action supports or breaches the principle. (In the example above, it breaches 'Manage by Exception' because tolerances were likely exceeded without escalation).

How to Answer Questions on Principle Application

Practitioner questions are scenario-based. You will be given a 'Project Scenario' and 'Additional Information'. Use the following structure to answer:

Step 1: Locate the Evidence. Do not rely on general knowledge. Look for specific sentences in the scenario that describe how the team is working.
Step 2: Check for 'Blind' Application. A common trap is a scenario where a document is created just because the manual says so, without utility. This breaches Defined Roles and Responsibilities or Continued Business Justification.
Step 3: Check for Minimum Requirements. Ask yourself: 'Does this action meet the minimum requirement for this principle?'

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Analyzing Principle Application

Tip 1: The 'In Name Only' Trap
Be wary of scenarios where the project uses PRINCE2 terminology (like 'Project Initiation Documentation') but fails to use the underlying logic. If they have a Business Case but never review it, they are breaching Continued Business Justification.

Tip 2: Distinguish Principles from Themes
Questions may try to confuse you by offering an answer related to a Theme (e.g., Quality) when the question asks about a Principle (e.g., Focus on Products). While related, remember that Principles are the why and Themes are the how. Ensure your answer directly addresses the principle asked.

Tip 3: Look for Tailoring
PRINCE2 v7 emphasizes tailoring. If a question suggests that the project manager adapted a process to suit the project's size or complexity, this is usually a positive application of Tailor to Suit the Project. Conversely, rigidly following the full manual for a tiny project is a breach of this principle.

Tip 4: Manage by Exception Indicators
Look for keywords like 'tolerance', 'escalation', 'bounds', or 'autonomy'. If the Project Board is making every small decision, they are breaching Manage by Exception. If the Project Manager is hiding issues that exceed tolerance, they are also breaching it.

Tip 5: Lessons Learned
If the scenario mentions starting work without checking previous projects, or failing to record new findings for future use, this is a clear breach of Learn from Experience.