Study PRINCE2 Foundation v7 Roles and Responsibilities: key concepts, common traps, and exam decision cues.
Roles and responsibilities are central to PRINCE2 Foundation because many exam questions reduce to a governance question: who owns this decision, who gives assurance, who represents the user or supplier interest, and who should act next? Candidates often know the role names but still miss the answer because they do not connect each role to its real accountability.
The Executive is the single point of accountability for the Business Case. The Senior User represents the user interest, especially fitness for use and benefits. The Senior Supplier represents supplier capability and technical delivery interest. Together they form the project board with governance authority.
The project manager runs day-to-day management within delegated authority. Project assurance checks independently that the project remains viable and compliant. A change authority may receive delegated authority to approve certain changes. Project support can help maintain records and controls without taking accountability away from governance roles.
Foundation questions often test whether a person is acting outside role boundaries. The stronger answer usually restores accountability first, not just activity.
| Role | What the exam usually wants you to remember |
|---|---|
| Executive | Owns overall business accountability and continued justification |
| Senior User | Represents user needs, fitness for use, and expected benefits |
| Senior Supplier | Represents supplier capability and technical delivery interests |
| Project Manager | Manages the project day to day within delegated authority |
| Project Assurance | Provides independent confidence that the project remains controlled and viable |
| Change Authority | Can approve delegated changes within agreed authority limits |
| Project Support | Helps maintain records, reporting, and control administration |
If a change affects business justification, the question is not only whether the delivery team can absorb the work. It also touches the Executive’s accountability for continued justification. That makes role clarity essential.
Which role is the single point of accountability for ensuring that the project remains justified from a business perspective?
A. Project Manager B. Executive C. Senior Supplier D. Project Support
Best answer: B
Why: In PRINCE2, the Executive owns accountability for the Business Case and continued business justification.
Why the others are weaker: A manages within delegation but is not the final business-accountability role. C represents supplier interests. D supports controls but does not own governance decisions.