A key feature of the PRINCE® method is the concept of 'Management by Exception'.

Progress control is about decision-making to ensure that the project is:

1. Producing the required products which meet defined Quality Criteria.
2. Being undertaken according to agreed plans.
3. Remaining viable against its Business Case.

The PRINCE2® method enables controlled progress of a project. Key progress controls include:

• AUTHORIZATIONS: Should the project be planned, should the project be undertaken, should the project be closed?
• END STAGE ASSESSMENT: Has the stage been completed successfully, and should the next stage be undertaken?
• HIGHLIGHT REPORTS: At pre-determined intervals for the Project Board to check on progress during a stage.
• EXCEPTION REPORTS: Early warning of forecast deviation beyond agreed tolerance levels.
• EXCEPTION ASSESSMENT: What action to take in response to a forecast deviation.
• CHECKPOINT REPORT: At pre-determined intervals to check progress on product creation in work packages.
• TOLERANCE: The permissible deviation from a plan without bringing the deviation to the attention of the Project Board.
• PROJECT CLOSURE: Has the project delivered everything expected?

One of your planning tasks will be to decide how to implement these progress controls beneficically without making your project management bureaucratic.