A project to modernise the city’s street lighting network is expected to last 18 months and involve multiple suppliers. At the initiation meeting, the project board decides to approve the entire budget and delivery schedule for the whole project. They argue that breaking the work into stages would slow progress and introduce unnecessary bureaucracy. Is this aligned with PRINCE2, and why?
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AYes, because it avoids delays caused by stage boundaries
BYes, because the project board has confidence in the plan
CNo, because stages provide control points for review and decision-making
DNo, because all projects must have exactly three stages
ENo, because stages are only required for projects longer than a year
✓ Correct answer: C. No, because stages provide control points for review and decision-makingThe 'manage by stages' principle provides control points where the project board can review progress and decide whether to continue, change, or stop the project.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• Yes, because it avoids delays caused by stage boundaries: Avoiding stage boundaries may reduce oversight and governance control.
• Yes, because the project board has confidence in the plan: Confidence in the plan does not remove the need for stage reviews.
• No, because all projects must have exactly three stages: PRINCE2 does not mandate an exact number of stages.
• No, because stages are only required for projects longer than a year: Stage boundaries apply regardless of project length.
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