The Minimum Approach for Applying the Plans Theme

B.

The "Plans" theme is one of the seven themes in PRINCE2, a popular project management methodology. This theme aims to establish the project's objectives, define the scope, and create a plan that outlines how the project will be completed. The question asks which approach must be followed as a minimum requirement for applying the Plans theme.

The correct answer is B. Product-based planning. This approach is a key element of PRINCE2 and involves identifying the project's required products (deliverables) and defining their quality criteria, attributes, and dependencies. By understanding the required products and their relationships, the project team can create a comprehensive plan that details the steps needed to create and deliver these products.

Product-based planning is an essential part of the Plans theme because it provides a clear understanding of the project's objectives and scope, which helps to ensure that the project plan is realistic and achievable. Additionally, product-based planning helps to ensure that the project's focus remains on delivering the required products to the required quality level, rather than simply completing activities.

While risk management and agile methodologies are important considerations in project management, they are not minimum requirements for applying the Plans theme in PRINCE2. Risk management is a separate theme that focuses on identifying and managing project risks, while agile is a project management approach that emphasizes flexibility and adaptability. Activity-based planning, on the other hand, is not a specific approach within PRINCE2 but is instead a general term for planning that is based on the activities required to complete a project.