PRINCE2 Glossary Digital
PRINCE2 Glossary Digital
acceptance assumption
The formal act of acknowledging that the A statement that is taken as being true for the
project has met agreed acceptance criteria purposes of planning, but which could change
and thereby met the requirements of its later. An assumption is made where some facts
stakeholders. are not yet known or decided, and is usually
reserved for matters of such significance that,
acceptance criteria if they change or turn out not to be true, there
A prioritized list of criteria that the project will need to be considerable replanning.
product must meet before the customer will
accept it (that is, measurable definitions of the assurance
attributes required for the set of products to be All the systematic actions necessary to provide
acceptable to key stakeholders). confidence that the target (for example system,
process, organization, programme, project,
accountable outcome, benefit, capability, product output or
Personally answerable for an activity. deliverable) is appropriate. Appropriateness
Accountability cannot be delegated, unlike might be defined subjectively or objectively in
responsibility. different circumstances. The implication is that
assurance will have a level of independence
activity from that which is being assured. See also
A process, function or task that occurs over project assurance; quality assurance.
time, has recognizable results and is managed.
It is usually defined as part of a process or plan. authority
The right to allocate resources and make
agile and agile methods decisions (applies to project, management
A broad term for a collection of behaviours, stage and team levels).
frameworks, concepts and techniques that
go together to enable teams and individuals authorization
to work in an agile way that is typified by The point at which an authority is granted.
collaboration, prioritization, iterative and avoid (risk response)
incremental delivery, and timeboxing. There A risk response to a threat where the threat
are several specific methods (or frameworks) either can no longer have an impact or can no
that are classed as agile, such as Scrum and longer happen.
Kanban. PRINCE2 is completely compatible with
working in an agile way. backlog
A list of new features for a product. The list
approval may be made up of user stories which are
The formal confirmation that a product is structured in a way that describes who wants
complete and meets its requirements (less the feature and why.
any concessions) as defined by its product
description. baseline
Reference levels against which an entity is
approver monitored and controlled.
The person or group (for example a project
board) who is identified as certified and baseline management product
authorized to approve a (management or A type of management product that defines
specialist) product as being complete and fit for aspects of the project and, when approved, is
purpose. subject to change control.
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end stage assessment exception plan governance (project) issue
The review by the project board and project A plan that often follows an exception report. Those areas of corporate governance that A relevant event that has happened, was not
manager of the end stage report to decide For a stage plan exception, it covers the period are specifically related to project activities. planned, and requires management action. It
whether to approve the next stage plan. from the present to the end of the current Effective governance of project management can be any concern, query, request for change,
Depending on the size and criticality of management stage. If the exception were ensures that an organization’s project portfolio suggestion or off-specification raised during a
the project, the review may be formal or at project level, the project plan would be is aligned with the organization’s objectives, is project. Project issues can be about anything to
informal. The authority to proceed should be replaced. delivered efficiently and is sustainable. do with the project.
documented as a formal record.
exception report handover issue register
end stage report A description of the exception situation, The transfer of ownership of a set of products A register used to capture and maintain
A report given by the project manager to the its impact, options, recommendation and to the respective user(s). The set of products is information on all of the issues that are being
project board at the end of each management impact of the recommendation. This report known as a release. There may be more than managed formally. The issue register should be
stage of the project. This provides information is prepared by the project manager for the one handover in the life of a project (phased monitored by the project manager on a regular
about the project’s performance during the project board. delivery). The final handover takes place in the basis.
management stage and the project status at closing a project process.
the management stage end. executive issue report
The individual with overall responsibility for highlight report A report containing the description, impact
enhance (risk response) ensuring that a project meets its objectives and A time-driven report from the project manager assessment and recommendations for a
A risk response to an opportunity where delivers the projected benefits. This individual to the project board on management stage request for change, off-specification or a
proactive actions are taken to enhance both should ensure that the project maintains its progress. problem/concern. It is created only for those
the probability of the event occurring and the business focus, that it has clear authority, issues that need to be handled formally.
impact of the event should it occur. and that the work, including risks, is actively host site
managed. The executive is the chair of the A location where project work is being key performance indicator (KPI)
epic project board. They represent the customer undertaken (for example an office or A measure of performance that is used to
A high-level definition of a requirement that has and is responsible for the business case. construction site). help an organization define and evaluate how
not been sufficiently refined or understood yet. successful it is in making progress towards its
Eventually, an epic will be refined and broken exploit (risk response) impact (of risk) organizational objectives.
down into several user stories or requirements. A risk response to an opportunity. It means The result of a particular threat or opportunity
seizing the opportunity to ensure that it will actually occurring, or the anticipation of such a lessons log
event-driven control happen and that the impact will be realized. result. An informal repository for lessons that apply to
A control that takes place when a specific event this project or future projects.
occurs. This could be, for example, the end of follow-on action recommendations information radiator
a management stage, the completion of the Recommended actions related to unfinished A general term used to describe the use of log
PID, or the creation of an exception report. It work, ongoing issues and risks, and any other walls or boards containing information that An informal repository managed by the project
could also include organizational events that activities needed to take a product to the next can be readily accessed by people working manager that does not require any agreement
may affect the project, such as the end of the phase of its life. These are summarized and on the project. It can contain any information, by the project board on its format and
financial year. included in the end stage report (for phased although it would typically show such things as composition. PRINCE2 has two logs: the daily
handover) and end project report. work to do and how work is progressing. log and the lessons log.
exception
A situation where it can be forecast that there governance (corporate) inherent risk management product
will be a deviation beyond the tolerance levels The ongoing activity of maintaining a sound The exposure arising from a specific risk before A product that will be required as part of
agreed between the project manager and the system of internal control by which the any action has been taken to manage it. managing the project, and establishing and
project board (or between the project board directors and officers of an organization ensure maintaining quality (for example highlight
and corporate, programme management or the that effective management systems, including initiation stage report, end stage report). The management
customer). financial monitoring and control systems, have The period from when the project board products are constant, whatever the type of
been put in place to protect assets, earning authorizes initiation to when it authorizes the project, and can be used as described, or with
exception assessment capacity and the reputation of the organization. project (or decides not to go ahead with it). any relevant modifications, for all projects.
A review by the project board to approve or The detailed planning and establishment of the There are three types of management product:
reject an exception plan. project management infrastructure is covered baselines, records and reports.
by the initiating a project process.
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management stage performance targets problem product status account
The section of a project that the project A plan’s goals for time, cost, quality, scope, A type of issue (other than a request for change A report on the status of products. The
manager is managing on behalf of the project benefits and risk. or off-specification) that the project manager required products can be specified by identifier
board at any one time, at the end of which the needs to resolve or escalate. Also known as a or the part of the project in which they were
project board will wish to review progress to plan concern. developed.
date, the state of the project plan, the business A detailed proposal for doing or achieving
case and risks and the next stage plan, in order something which specifies the what, when, procedure product-based planning
to decide whether to continue with the project. how and by whom it will be achieved. In A series of actions for a particular aspect of An approach for developing a comprehensive
PRINCE2 there are only the following types of project management established specifically plan based on the creation and delivery of
maturity plan: project plan, stage plan, team plan and for the project (for example a risk management required outputs. The approach considers
A measure of the reliability, efficiency exception plan. procedure). prerequisite products, quality requirements
and effectiveness of a process, function, and the dependencies between products.
organization, and so on. The most mature planned closure process
processes and functions are formally aligned The PRINCE2 activity to close a project. A structured set of activities designed to programme
with business objectives and strategy, and accomplish a specific objective. A process takes A temporary structure designed to lead
are supported by a framework for continual planning horizon one or more defined inputs and turns them multiple interrelated projects and other work
improvement. The period of time for which it is possible to into defined outputs. in order to progressively achieve outcomes of
plan accurately. benefit for one or more organizations.
maturity model producer
A method of assessing organizational capability portfolio The person or group responsible for project
in a given area of skill. The totality of an organization’s investment (or developing a product. A temporary organization that is created for
segment thereof) in the changes required to the purpose of delivering one or more business
milestone achieve its strategic objectives. product products according to an agreed business case.
A significant event in a plan’s schedule, An input or output, whether tangible or
such as completion of key work packages, a premature closure intangible, that can be described in advance, project approach
development step or a management stage. The PRINCE2 activity to close a project before created and tested. PRINCE2 has two types of A description of the way in which the work of
its planned closure. The project manager must products: management products and specialist the project is to be approached. For example,
off-specification ensure that work in progress is not simply products. are we building a product from scratch or
Something that should be provided by the abandoned, but that the project salvages any buying in a product that already exists?
project, but currently is not (or is forecast value created to date, and checks that any gaps product breakdown structure
not to be). It might be a missing product or a left by the cancellation of the project are raised A hierarchy of all the products to be produced project assurance
product not meeting its specifications. It is one to corporate, programme management or the during a plan. The project board’s responsibilities to assure
type of issue. customer. itself that the project is being conducted
prerequisites (plan) product checklist correctly. The project board members each
operational and maintenance acceptance Any fundamental aspects that must be in place, A list of the major products of a plan, plus key have a specific area of focus for project
A specific type of acceptance by the person and remain in place, for a plan to succeed. dates in their delivery. assurance, namely business assurance for
or group who will support the product after the executive, user assurance for the senior
it has been handed over into the operational PRINCE2 principles product description user(s), and supplier assurance for the senior
environment. The guiding obligations for good project A description of a product’s purpose, supplier(s).
management practice that form the basis of a composition, derivation and quality criteria. It is
outcome project being managed using PRINCE2. produced at planning time, as soon as possible project brief
The result of change, normally affecting after the need for the product is identified. A statement that describes the purpose, cost,
real-world behaviour and/or circumstances. PRINCE2 project time and performance requirements, and
Outcomes are desired when a change is A project that applies the PRINCE2 principles. product flow diagram constraints for a project. It is created before the
conceived. They are achieved as a result of the A diagram showing the sequence of production project begins, during the starting up a project
activities undertaken to effect the change. probability and interdependencies of the products listed in process, and is used during the initiating
This is the evaluated likelihood of a particular a product breakdown structure. a project process to create the PID and its
output threat or opportunity actually happening, components. It is superseded by the PID and
A specialist product that is handed over to including a consideration of the frequency with not maintained.
a user (or users). Note that management which this may arise.
products are not outputs but are created solely
for the purpose of managing the project.
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project closure notification project mandate quality assurance quality register
Advice from the project board to inform all An external product generated by the authority A planned and systematic process that A register containing summary details of all
stakeholders and the host sites that the project commissioning the project that forms the provides confidence that outputs will match planned and completed quality activities. The
resources can be disbanded and support trigger for starting up a project. their defined quality criteria when tested under quality register is used by the project manager
services, such as space, equipment and access, quality control. It is carried out independently and project assurance as part of reviewing
demobilized. It should indicate a closure date project office of the project team. progress.
for costs to be charged to the project. A temporary office set up to support the
delivery of a specific change initiative being quality control quality review
project initiation documentation (PID) delivered as a project. If used, the project office The process of monitoring specific project See quality inspection.
A logical set of documents that brings together undertakes the responsibility of the project results to determine whether they comply
the key information needed to start the support role. with relevant standards and of identifying quality review technique
project on a sound basis and that conveys the ways to eliminate causes of unsatisfactory A technique with defined roles and a specific
information to all concerned with the project. project plan performance. structure, designed to assess whether a
A high-level plan showing the major products product in the form of a document (or similar,
project initiation notification of the project, when they will be delivered and quality criteria such as a presentation) is complete, adheres to
Advice from the project board to inform all at what cost. An initial project plan is presented A description of the quality specification standards and meets the quality criteria agreed
stakeholders and the host sites that the project as part of the PID. This is revised as information that the product must meet, and the quality for it in the relevant product description. The
is being initiated and to request any necessary on actual progress appears. It is a major control measurements that will be applied by those participants are drawn from those with the
logistical support (for example communication document for the project board to measure inspecting the finished product. necessary competence to evaluate its fitness
facilities, equipment and any project support) actual progress against expectations. for purpose.
sufficient for the initiation stage. quality inspection
project product A systematic, structured assessment of a quality tolerance
project lifecycle What the project must deliver in order to gain product carried out by two or more carefully The tolerance identified for a product for a
The period from initiation of a project to the acceptance. selected people (the review team) in a planned, quality criterion defining an acceptable range
acceptance of the project product. documented and organized fashion. of values. Quality tolerance is documented in
project product description the project product description (for the project-
project management A special type of product description used quality management level quality tolerance) and in the product
The planning, delegating, monitoring and to gain agreement from the user on the The coordinated activities to direct and control description for each product to be delivered.
control of all aspects of the project, and project’s scope and requirements, to define an organization with regard to quality.
the motivation of those involved, to achieve the customer’s quality expectations and the records
the project objectives within the expected acceptance criteria for the project. quality management approach Dynamic management products that maintain
performance targets for time, cost, quality, An approach defining the quality techniques information regarding project progress.
scope, benefits and risk. project support and standards to be applied, and the various
An administrative role in the project responsibilities for achieving the required reduce (risk response)
project management team management team. Project support can be quality levels, during a project. A response to a risk where proactive actions
The entire management structure of the in the form of advice and help with project are taken to reduce the probability of the event
project board, and the project manager, plus management tools, guidance, administrative quality management system occurring by performing some form of control,
any team manager, project assurance and services such as filing, and the collection of The complete set of quality standards, and/or to reduce the impact of the event
project support roles. actual data. procedures and responsibilities for an should it occur.
organization or specific entity (site, business
project management team structure proximity (of risk) unit, and so on.) within that organization. registers
An organization chart showing the people The time factor of risk (that is, when the risk Formal repositories managed by the project
assigned to the project management team may occur). The impact of a risk may vary in quality records manager that require agreement by the project
roles to be used, and their delegation and severity depending on when the risk occurs. Evidence kept to demonstrate that the required board on their format, composition and use.
reporting relationships. quality assurance and quality control activities PRINCE2 has three registers: issue register, risk
quality have been carried out. register and quality register.
project manager The degree to which a set of inherent
The person given the authority and characteristics of a product, service, process, release
responsibility to manage the project on a day- person, organization, system or resource fulfils The set of products in a handover. The
to-day basis to deliver the required products requirements. contents of a release are managed, tested and
within the constraints agreed with the project deployed as a single entity. See also handover.
board.
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reports risk estimation risk response scope tolerance
Management products providing a snapshot of The estimation of probability and impact Actions that may be taken to bring a situation The permissible deviation in a plan’s
the status of certain aspects of the project. of an individual risk, taking into account to a level where exposure to risk is acceptable scope that is allowed before the deviation
predetermined standards, target risk levels, to the organization. These responses fall into a needs to be escalated to the next level of
request for change interdependencies and other relevant factors. number of risk response categories. management. Scope tolerance is documented
A proposal for a change to a baseline. It is a in the respective plan in the form of a note or
type of issue. risk evaluation risk response category reference to the product breakdown structure
The process of understanding the net effect of A category of risk response. For threats, the for that plan. See tolerance.
residual risk the identified threats and opportunities on an individual risk response category can be
The risk remaining after the risk response has activity when aggregated together. to avoid, reduce, transfer, share, accept or Scrum
been applied. prepare contingent plans. For opportunities, An iterative, timeboxed approach to product
risk exposure the individual risk response category can be delivery that is described as ‘a framework within
responsible The extent of risk borne by the organization at to exploit, enhance, transfer, share, accept or which people can address complex adaptive
Used to describe the individual who has the the time. prepare contingent plans. problems, while productively and creatively
authority and is expected to deliver a task or delivering products of the highest possible
activity; responsibility can be delegated. risk management risk tolerance value’ (Schwaber and Sutherland, 2016).
The systematic application of principles, The threshold levels of risk exposure that, with
responsible authority approaches and processes to the tasks of appropriate approvals, can be exceeded, but Scrum master
The person or group commissioning the project identifying and assessing risks, planning which when exceeded will trigger some form of A Scrum role that is responsible for ensuring
(typically corporate, programme management and implementing risk responses and response (for example reporting the situation Scrum is understood and enacted and that the
or the customer) who has the authority to communicating risk management activities with to senior management for action). Scrum team adheres to Scrum theory, practice
commit resources and funds on behalf of the stakeholders. and rules.
commissioning organization. risk tolerance line
risk management approach A line drawn on the summary risk profile. Risks senior supplier
reviewer An approach describing the goals of applying that appear above this line cannot be accepted The project board role that provides knowledge
A person or group independent of the risk management, as well as the procedure (lived with) without referring them to a higher and experience of the main discipline(s)
producer who assesses whether a product that will be taken on, roles and responsibilities, authority. For a project, the project manager involved in the production of the project’s
meets its requirements as defined in its risk tolerances, the timing of risk management would refer these risks to the project board. deliverable(s). The senior supplier represents
product description. interventions, the tools and techniques that will the supplier’s interests within the project and
be used, and the reporting requirements. schedule provides supplier resources.
risk A graphical representation of a plan (for
An uncertain event or set of events that, should risk owner example a Gantt chart), typically describing senior user
it occur, will have an effect on the achievement A named individual who is responsible for a sequence of tasks, together with resource The project board role accountable for
of objectives. A risk is measured by a the management, monitoring and control allocations, which collectively deliver the ensuring that user needs are specified correctly
combination of the probability of a perceived of all aspects of a particular risk assigned to plan. In PRINCE2, project activities should be and that the solution meets those needs.
threat or opportunity occurring, and the them, including the implementation of the documented only in the schedules associated
magnitude of its impact on objectives. selected responses to address the threats or to with a project plan, stage plan or team plan. share (risk response)
maximize the opportunities. Actions that are allocated from day-to-day A risk response to either a threat or an
risk actionee management may be documented in the opportunity through the application of a pain/
A nominated owner of an action to address a risk profile relevant project log (that is, risk register, daily gain formula: both parties share the gain (within
risk. Some actions may not be within the remit A description of the types of risk that are faced log, issue register or quality register) if they do pre-agreed limits) if the cost is less than the
of the risk owner to control explicitly; in that by an organization and its exposure to those not require significant activity. cost plan, and both share the pain (again within
situation there should be a nominated owner risks. pre-agreed limits) if the cost plan is exceeded.
of the action to address the risk. They will scope
need to keep the risk owner apprised of the risk register For a plan, the sum total of its products and the specialist product
situation. A record of identified risks relating to an extent of their requirements. It is described by A product whose development is the subject
initiative, including their status and history. the product breakdown structure for the plan of the plan. The specialist products are
risk appetite and associated product descriptions. specific to an individual project (for example
An organization’s unique attitude towards risk- an advertising campaign, a car park ticketing
taking that in turn dictates the amount of risk system, foundations for a building or a new
that it considers acceptable. business process). Also known as a deliverable.
See also output.
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sponsor team plan tranche
The main driving force behind a programme An optional level of plan used as the basis for A programme management term describing a
or project. PRINCE2 does not define a role for team management control when executing group of projects structured around distinct
the sponsor, but the sponsor is most likely to work packages. step changes in capability and benefit delivery.
be the executive on the project board, or the
person who has appointed the executive. theme transfer (risk response)
An aspect of project management that needs A response to a threat where a third party
sprint to be continually addressed, and that requires takes on responsibility for some of the financial
A fixed timeframe (typically of 2–4 weeks) for specific treatment for the PRINCE2 processes impact of the threat (for example through
creating selected features from the backlog. to be effective. insurance or by means of appropriate clauses
in a contract).
stage threat
See management stage. An uncertain event that could have a negative transformation
impact on objectives or benefits. A distinct change to the way an organization
stage plan conducts all or part of its business.
A detailed plan used as the basis for time tolerance
project management control throughout a The permissible deviation in a plan’s time that trigger
management stage. is allowed before the deviation needs to be An event or decision that triggers a PRINCE2
escalated to the next level of management. process to begin.
stakeholder Time tolerance is documented in the respective
Any individual, group or organization that can plan. See also tolerance. user
affect, be affected by or perceive itself to be The person or group who will use the project
affected by, an initiative (that is, a programme, time-driven control product.
project, activity or risk). A management control that is periodic in
nature, to enable the next higher authority to user acceptance
start-up monitor progress (for example a control that A specific type of acceptance by the person
The pre-project activities undertaken by the takes place every 2 weeks). PRINCE2 offers two or group who will use the product after it
executive and the project manager to produce key time-driven progress reports: checkpoint has been handed over into the operational
the outline business case, project brief and report and highlight report. environment.
initiation stage plan.
timebox user story
supplier A finite period of time when work is carried A tool used to write a requirement in the form
The person, group or groups responsible for out to achieve a goal or meet an objective. The of who, what and why.
the supply of the project’s specialist products. deadline should not be moved, as the method
of managing a timebox is to prioritize the
tailoring work inside it. At a low level a timebox will be a
Adapting a method or process to suit the matter of days or weeks (for example a sprint).
situation in which it will be used. Higher-level timeboxes act as aggregated
timeboxes and contain lower-level timeboxes
team manager (for example stages).
The person responsible for the production of
products allocated by the project manager (as tolerance
defined in a work package) to an appropriate The permissible deviation above and below
quality, timescale and at a cost acceptable to a plan’s target for time and cost without
the project board. This role reports to, and escalating the deviation to the next level of
takes direction from, the project manager. If management. There may also be tolerance
a team manager is not assigned, the project levels for quality, scope, benefits and risk.
manager undertakes the responsibilities of the Tolerance is applied at project, management
team manager role. stage and team levels.
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