In PRINCE2, quality is not an afterthought or a final checkpoint—it is designed into the project from day one. The methodology treats quality as a controlled, measurable, and continuously monitored aspect of delivery. Three mechanisms play a pivotal role in making this happen: the Quality Register, Quality Tolerances, and Audit Trails.
Together, they ensure that what is delivered is not only complete, but fit for purpose, traceable, and aligned with stakeholder expectations.
Quality in PRINCE2: A Brief Context
PRINCE2 defines quality as “the totality of features and characteristics of a product that satisfy stated needs.”
This definition shifts the conversation from subjective opinions to objective acceptance criteria.
Instead of asking “Is this good enough?”, PRINCE2 asks:
- What does “good” mean?
- Who defines it?
- How will it be measured?
- What happens if we deviate?
The answers are operationalised through the Quality Register, tolerances, and audit mechanisms.
The Quality Register: The Backbone of Quality Control
The Quality Register is a living document that records all planned and completed quality activities within a project.
What the Quality Register Contains
Typically, it captures:
- Product name or ID
- Quality method (review, test, inspection, audit)
- Quality criteria
- Planned and actual dates
- Responsible reviewer
- Approval status
- Results and follow-up actions
Why It Matters
The Quality Register brings visibility and accountability to quality management. Instead of quality checks being scattered across emails or informal conversations, everything is centrally tracked.
From a governance perspective, it answers critical questions:
- Have all required quality activities been planned?
- Were they executed as intended?
- Were any issues raised and resolved?
Practical Value
In real projects, the Quality Register:
- Prevents missed reviews
- Reduces last-minute surprises before stage approval
- Acts as evidence during audits or assurance reviews
- Enables proactive quality risk management
Simply put, it turns quality from intent into execution.
Quality Tolerances: Defining Acceptable Deviation
PRINCE2 acknowledges a practical reality: perfection is rarely achievable, and not every deviation warrants escalation. This is where quality tolerances come into play.
What Are Quality Tolerances?
Quality tolerances define the acceptable range of variation for a product’s quality criteria. They specify how much deviation is permissible without requiring escalation to higher authority.
Examples include:
- Accuracy ± 2%
- Response time within 1–2 seconds
- Defect rate not exceeding a defined threshold
How Tolerances Enable Control
Tolerances empower teams to operate efficiently while maintaining control:
- Project Managers can manage within agreed boundaries
- Senior management is only involved when thresholds are breached
- Decision-making is faster and less reactive
Escalation Through Exception
If a quality tolerance is forecast to be exceeded, PRINCE2 mandates escalation via an Exception Report. This preserves governance discipline while avoiding unnecessary micromanagement.
Quality tolerances, therefore, balance autonomy with assurance—a hallmark of mature project management.
