Understand stage transition and exception planning.
Covers the Managing a Stage Boundary process which enables the Project Board to review stage success and authorize the next stage. Focuses on understanding the purpose, objectives, and context including planning the next stage, updating the project plan, updating the business case, reporting stage end, and producing exception plans.
5 minutes
5 Questions
The Managing a Stage Boundary process in PRINCE2 7 is a critical process that occurs at the end of each management stage, providing a structured approach for reviewing the current stage and planning the next one. This process ensures that the Project Board has sufficient information to make informed decisions about the project's continuation.
The primary purpose of Managing a Stage Boundary is to enable the Project Manager to provide the Project Board with an updated position on the project's progress, costs, risks, and benefits. It allows for a controlled transition between stages and maintains project viability.
Key activities within this process include reviewing the stage that is ending, updating the Project Plan with actual progress and any changes, creating the Stage Plan for the upcoming stage, updating the Business Case to reflect current circumstances, and reporting on stage completion. The Project Manager also updates risk and issue registers and prepares exception plans if required.
The process produces several important outputs including the End Stage Report, which summarizes what was achieved during the stage, and the updated Project Plan showing revised forecasts. The next Stage Plan provides detailed planning for upcoming work, while the updated Business Case confirms continued justification for the project.
Managing a Stage Boundary also handles exception situations where the project has deviated beyond agreed tolerances. In such cases, an Exception Plan may be produced to recover the situation or redefine objectives.
The Project Board uses the information provided through this process to authorize the next stage, request changes, or close the project if it is no longer viable. This checkpoint approach ensures projects remain under control and continue to deliver value. The process reinforces PRINCE2's principle of managing by stages, enabling appropriate governance and decision-making at key points throughout the project lifecycle.The Managing a Stage Boundary process in PRINCE2 7 is a critical process that occurs at the end of each management stage, providing a structured approach for reviewing the current stage and planning the next one. This process ensures that the Project Board has sufficient information to make informe…