LEARN. PRACTICE. GROW.Concept and mechanism
A stage boundary is an opportunity to decide using current information. Present results, the next-stage plan, overall forecast, exposure, and updated justification. A percentage of completed tasks does not by itself explain whether the next investment is worthwhile. When the board requests an exception plan, prepare a proposed revised commitment; the drafting request does not mean advance approval. Distinguish the report explaining deviation from the plan presenting an execution path. Continue checking whether new conditions preserve project usefulness and which decisions depend on higher authority.
Guided application
Before recommending closure, confirm product acceptance and support capability. Record remaining work with an owner and receiving-party agreement. A legacy system needing to remain for six weeks cannot disappear administratively to show one hundred percent. Savings linked to its removal remain forecast until observed. Define later review, data, and benefit ownership. The project can end before every benefit materializes if appropriate handover exists. If the authority decides early closure because viability is lost, also organize useful outputs, obligations, records, and lessons; stopping does not remove the need for accountability.
APS accepts the new service, FINOPS tracks future savings, and decommissioning has an explicit owner.
Common pitfalls
Requested plan as approved plan; endless project for future benefit; deleting actions to close; installation as acceptance.
Related topics: Apply principles to real decisions · People, communication, and adoption
Every transition needs evidence, a decision, and continuity of responsibility.
Reference: PRINCE2 Project Management Practitioner syllabus · Version 7; syllabus revision 7.2 (April 2025)