PRINCE2 Licensed Product

DP - Directing A Project


The purpose of the Directing a Project process is to enable the Project Board to be accountable for the project's success by making key decisions and exercising overall control while delegating day-to-day management of the project to the Project Manager.


  1. SU
  2. IP
  3. PL
  4. SB
  5. CS
  6. MP
  7. DP
  8. CP
  9. Report
Directing A Project (DP)
Project Name:
Maturity Model Rating For This Phase
Score 1
Score 2
Score 3
Score 4
Score 5
Level 1 - Initial
• Methodology is not being adopted
• Uncontrolled
Level 2 - Managed
• Very Low adoption of methodology
• Very low level of control
Level 3 - Defined
• Low adoption of methodology
• Low level of control
Level 4 - Quality
• Good adoption of methodology
• Good level of control
Level 5 - Optimised
• Full adoption of methodology
• Under full control
Phase Analysis


Criteria Question Compliance Quality
Authorising Initiation
Have draft job descriptions,ToRs and team structure been approved by the board?
Has the project board and team been appointed?
Have the project board received training for their roles?
Has a project start-up notification been issued by the board?
Was the project board appointed before project initiation was authorised?
Is there an initial/outline business case produced & approved by the project Board?
Have the project brief and initiation stage plan been approved by the project board?
Has the board authorised project initiation?
Authorising A Project
Has there been an end of initiation stage assessment by the board?
Has the PID, Plans and Business Case been approved by the project board and authorisation
given for the project to proceed against the next stage plan?
Has the next stage plan been presented at the initiation end-stage assessment?
Authorising A Stage or Exception Plan
Has the format of the plan's presentation material been agreed with the project board?
Have the Plans (Project or Stage) been approved by the project board and authorisation
given for the project to proceed?
Has the end stage report been approved by the project board?
Have next stage plans been presented at the end-stage assessment?
Was the next stage plan and revised project plan approved by the project board
with authority to proceed to the next stage given?
Have exception plans, updated stage and project plans been presented and approved
by the project board at an exception assessment board meeting?
Has the project board advised external stakeholders regarding project plans and progress?
Giving Ad-Hoc Advice
Have highlight reports been reviewed by the project board?
Has the project board given advise on taking corrective action?
Have exception reports been approved by the project board?
Have exception plans been requested by the project board?
Has advise been sought from the project board before submission of exception plans?
Has the project board been consulted when options need clarifying?
Has the project board been consulted when impact of events external to the Project need clarifying?
Has the project board been consulted when resourcing issues may affect tolerance?
Has the project board been consulted to resolve areas of conflict?
Has the project board been consulted when there are organisational changes within the project?
Has the Project Manager been notified of any changes in the corporate or programme
environment that may impact on the project and that appropriate action is taken?
Is there evidence that the project board ensures changes to programme that impact
on the Project are managed?
Is there evidence that the project board make decisions on Project Issues
or exceptions that are beyond the project managers authority?
Is there evidence that the project board Keeps programme management and other
stakeholders informed of project progress?
Is there evidence that the project board ensures the project is progressing according to Plan?
Confirming Project Closure
Have the end project report and post project review plan been approved by the project board?
Has the project board confirmed closure of the project?
Has a closure notification been issued by the board?
Has the board published and promoted the end project report and post project review
report to relevant stakeholders?
Have arrangements been made to report against the post project review plan?
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