PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
In PRINCE2, what is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the proactive nature of an RFC with the reactive nature of an Off-specification, often assuming both are just 'problems' or that they are interchangeable terms for any issue.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An RFC is a proposed change; an off-specification is a failure to meet a specified requirement
In PRINCE2, a Request for Change (RFC) is a formal proposal to change a product, baseline, or agreed scope, while an Off-specification is a formal notification that a product or deliverable does not meet its specified requirements. The key distinction is that an RFC is a proactive suggestion for change, whereas an Off-specification is a reactive report of a deviation or failure against an agreed specification.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
There is no difference; they are synonyms
Why it's wrong here
An RFC proposes a change to baselined products, whereas an off-specification reports something that should be delivered but currently is not; they are distinct issue types with different handling. Treating them as synonyms is tempting because both are raised as issues and both enter the same issue register.
- ✗
An RFC is always approved; an off-specification is always rejected
Why it's wrong here
Approval is not inherent to either type: an RFC may be rejected and an off-specification may be accepted via a change to the baseline. The distinction is what each describes, not its approval status. Assuming RFCs are approved is tempting because RFCs typically seek authorisation.
- ✗
An RFC is about cost; an off-specification is about time
Why it's wrong here
Neither is defined by cost or time; an RFC requests a change to a baselined product, while an off-specification records a gap between what was agreed and what exists. Cost and time are impact dimensions assessed during change control, not the defining difference.
- ✓
An RFC is a proposed change; an off-specification is a failure to meet a specified requirement
Why this is correct
An RFC formally proposes an alteration to baselined products or scope, whereas an off-specification records that a product has failed to meet a specified requirement. This distinction separates proactive change requests from actual non-conformance, matching the stem's contrast between proposed change and unmet specification.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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