PRINCE2 Foundation Certification Notes 17: Managing a Stage Boundary Process

Important: The new PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner exams (PRINCE2® 2017) are available from 10 July 2017 (details of the changes here). Don’t worry, the changes are quite minor indeed as all the 7 principles, themes and processes remain the same. From now on until the end of 2017, candidates can take either the existing or updated English versions of the PRINCE2® exam. All PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner exams will be based on PRINCE2® 2017 from 1 January 2018. You can still seize the time to get certified based on the current version! Once you get PRINCE2® certified, your certification is still valid under PRINCE2® 2017 and onwards!

Introduction: In PRINCE2®, there are 7 Processes that provide guidance on every stage of the project from initiation to completion. The “Managing a Stage Boundary Process” is the process involving the Project Board and the Project Manager to check and decide whether the project is still on track to meet project objectives at the current stage end and authorize the next stage.

Managing a Stage Boundary (SB) Process

Purpose and Objectives of Managing a Stage Boundary Process

• Purpose:
  • the Project Manager to provide the Project Board on the performance of the current stage
  • the Project Board to approve the beginning of the next stage and confirm Continued Business Justification
• Objectives:
  • reviews the Project Initiation Documentation, Business Case, Project Plan, and Risk Register and update as necessary
  • records lessons learned during the stage in Lessons Log
  • prepares the Stage Plan for the next stage (if the stage performance exceeds the tolerance, an Exception Plan would be created instead to complete the current stage)
  • authorization is in place for next stage to begin

Input(s), Activities and Output(s) of Managing a Stage Boundary Process

• Input(s):
  • Stage Plan
  • Project Plan (in the Project Initiation Documentation)
  • Exception Report
• Activities:
  • Creates the Stage Plan for the next stage (with Product Descriptions, estimations, etc.)
  • Updates the Project Plan and Business Case
  • Produces the Stage End Report / Exception Plan
• Output(s):
  • Next Stage Plan / Exception Plan
  • End Stage Report
  • Business Case and Project Plan update
  • Request to the Project Board for authorization of next stage/Exception Plan

Roles and Responsibilities for Managing a Stage Boundary Process

• Project Board: authorizes the next stage/Exception Plan
• Project Manager: creates the Management Products of the process (next Stage Plan, Exception Plan, End Stage Report) and updates relevant documentations
• Team Manager: assists Project Manager with planning/reporting

Conclusion:

“Managing a Stage Boundary (SB) Process” is the process for the Project Board to evaluate the project performance and whether to continue the project with consideration for continued business justification. The Stage Plan for the next stage must be prepared by the Project Manager and obtain authorization before the next stage can begin.

Wish you PRINCE2® Foundation Exam success!