In the context of PRINCE2 7, the Issue Report is a specific management product used to describe an issue in detail. While the Issue Register functions as a high-level log of all issues raised during the project, the Issue Report serves as the detailed dossier for items that require formal analysis …In the context of PRINCE2 7, the Issue Report is a specific management product used to describe an issue in detail. While the Issue Register functions as a high-level log of all issues raised during the project, the Issue Report serves as the detailed dossier for items that require formal analysis and decision-making, particularly those that exceed the Project Manager's delegated tolerances.
The primary purpose of the Issue Report is to provide the Project Board (or the appointed Change Authority) with sufficient information to make an informed decision regarding a Request for Change, an Off-specification, or a Problem/Concern. The report is dynamic; it is created when the issue is first captured and is updated as the issue is examined and proposed solutions are formulated.
A robust Issue Report includes a unique identifier, the type of issue, and a comprehensive description of the issue's cause and effect. Crucially, it contains an impact analysis. This section details how the issue and its proposed solutions affect the project's performance targets (time, cost, quality, scope, benefits, and sustainability), the Business Case, and the project risk profile.
Furthermore, the report outlines the recommendation options. The Project Manager presents different courses of action, detailing the resource requirements and implications of each, and clearly states a recommended path. Finally, the document records the decision made by the relevant authority (approve, reject, defer, or request more information). By formalizing this data, the Issue Report ensures that significant changes or deviations are handled in a controlled manner, preventing scope creep and ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Issue Report in PRINCE2 Practitioner v7
What is an Issue Report? An Issue Report is a management product used to describe an issue in detail. It serves as the comprehensive record for any 'Request for Change', 'Off-specification', or 'Problem/Concern' that requires formal management. While the Issue Register lists all issues effectively as a logbook, the Issue Report contains the deep-dive analysis, impact assessment, and recommendations for a single specific issue.
Why is it Important? Without an Issue Report, decisions regarding changes or problems would be made based on anecdotal evidence or incomplete data. It is vital because: 1. It facilitates a structured impact analysis (considering time, cost, quality, scope, benefits, and risk). 2. It provides the Change Authority or Project Board with the necessary information to approve, reject, or defer a change. 3. It creates an audit trail of how specific deviations were handled.
How it Works The creation and maintenance of an Issue Report follow the 'Issues and Change Control' procedure: 1. Capture: When an issue is identified as significant (not able to be handled informally via the Daily Log), an Issue Report is created to describe the issue. 2. Assess: The Project Manager (or support staff) updates the report with an impact analysis and assigns a priority and severity rating. 3. Propose: Recommendations for handling the issue are added. 4. Decide: The report is submitted to the relevant decision-making authority for approval.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Issue Report In the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam, questions often test your ability to distinguish between documents or assess the suitability of the content.
1. Issue Report vs. Issue Register: If a question asks where to find the summary or status of all issues, the answer is the Issue Register. If the question asks where to find the detailed impact analysis, cost of a change, or specific recommendation for one item, the answer is the Issue Report.
2. Checking Content Suitability: You may be given a sample Issue Report based on a scenario and asked to identify errors. Look for: - Inconsistency: Does the 'Priority' listed match the definitions in the Issue Management Approach? - Missing Data: Is the impact analysis missing (e.g., stating 'no impact on time' when the scenario clearly shows a delay)? - Wrong Author: While the Project Manager usually creates it, technical details might come from Team Managers. Ensure the content reflects the reality of the scenario.
3. The Exception Report Trap: Do not confuse an Issue Report with an Exception Report. An Issue Report describes a specific problem or change. An Exception Report is produced only if that issue causes a forecast deviation beyond the tolerance levels of the stage or project. The Issue Report is the input; the Exception Report is the escalation vehicle if tolerances are threatened.