PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Practices 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 purpose of an RFC (proactive change proposal) with an Off-specification (reactive non-compliance detection), leading them to incorrectly treat them as synonyms or misattribute who raises them.
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 proposal to change a baseline; an Off-specification is a failure to meet a baseline requirement
A Request for Change (RFC) is a formal proposal to modify a baseline (e.g., a product, plan, or scope), while an Off-specification is a documented deviation where a product or component fails to meet its agreed specification or baseline requirement. In PRINCE2, an RFC seeks approval for a change, whereas an Off-specification identifies a non-compliance that must be resolved, often through a change request or concession.
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 in PRINCE2
Why it's wrong here
They are distinct issue types.
- ✗
An Off-specification is always raised by the Project Manager; an RFC is raised by the Project Board
Why it's wrong here
Both can be raised by any stakeholder.
- ✗
An RFC only applies to project products; an Off-specification applies to the Business Case
Why it's wrong here
Both apply to products, processes, or plans.
- ✓
An RFC is a proposal to change a baseline; an Off-specification is a failure to meet a baseline requirement
Why this is correct
Correct. RFC proposes a change; Off-specification is a deviation from what was specified.
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Same concept, more angles
8 more ways this is tested on PRINCE2F
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO statements correctly describe the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification?
hard- ✓ A.An Off-specification is a failure to meet a requirement; an RFC is a suggestion to add or change a requirement.
- ✓ B.An RFC proposes a change that is not currently specified; an Off-specification indicates a required product is missing or incorrect.
- C.An RFC always results in a change budget increase; an Off-specification always results in a decrease.
- D.An RFC can be rejected by the Change Authority; an Off-specification must always be accepted.
Why A: An RFC is a proposal for a modification that is not currently required, while an Off-specification is something that is missing or deviating from the agreed specification. Option A is correct because an RFC suggests something new; option B is correct because an Off-specification indicates a required product is missing or incorrect. Option C is incorrect because changes may or may not affect the budget, and Off-specifications do not inherently decrease it. Option D is incorrect because both RFCs and Off-specifications are subject to formal change control and can be rejected.
Variation 2. Which of the following is a key difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification (Off-spec)?
hard- ✓ A.An RFC proposes a modification to an agreed product; an Off-spec reports that an agreed product does not meet its specification
- B.An RFC is always approved by the Project Board, while an Off-spec is always approved by the Change Authority
- C.An RFC increases the project budget; an Off-spec decreases it
- D.An Off-spec only applies to products not yet completed; an RFC applies only to completed products
Why A: An RFC proposes a modification to an agreed product, while an Off-spec reports that an agreed product does not meet its specification. An RFC is proactive; an Off-spec is a deviation that has already occurred.
Variation 3. Which of the following is a key difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
hard- ✓ A.A Request for Change proposes a modification to an agreed product, while an Off-specification identifies a product that does not meet its specification.
- B.A Request for Change always has a cost and time impact, while an Off-specification never does.
- C.A Request for Change is recorded in the Issue Register, while an Off-specification is recorded in the Risk Register.
- D.A Request for Change does not require authorization, while an Off-specification does.
Why A: A Request for Change (RFC) proposes a modification to an agreed product, while an Off-specification (Off-spec) identifies that a product does not meet its specification. Option B is incorrect because both may or may not have cost and time impacts; it's not a defining difference. Option C is incorrect because both RFCs and Off-specs are recorded in the Issue Register, not the Risk Register. Option D is incorrect because both RFCs and Off-specs require appropriate authorization, typically at the level defined in the project's change authority.
Variation 4. What is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification (Off-spec)?
medium- A.An RFC is always approved by the Project Board; an Off-spec is approved by the Project Manager
- B.There is no difference; they are synonyms
- C.An Off-spec is always a fault; an RFC is always an enhancement
- ✓ D.An RFC is a request for something new not in the baseline; an Off-spec is a failure to meet the baseline
Why D: A Request for Change (RFC) is a formal proposal to modify a product or process that is already baselined, typically for enhancements or corrective actions, while an Off-specification (Off-spec) is a formal notification that a product or component does not meet its agreed specification or baseline. In PRINCE2, an RFC seeks to change the baseline, whereas an Off-spec reports a deviation from the baseline that must be resolved.
Variation 5. What is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification (Off-spec)?
hard- A.An RFC is related to budget; an Off-spec is related to quality.
- ✓ B.An RFC proposes a new requirement; an Off-spec describes a problem with an existing product.
- C.An RFC is always raised by the Project Manager; an Off-spec is raised by the Senior User.
- D.An RFC is a type of issue; an Off-spec is not.
Why B: An RFC is a request to change a product that has been agreed upon and baselined, whereas an Off-spec is something that should have been provided but is not, or is not meeting specifications. An RFC proposes a change; an Off-spec identifies a deviation.
Variation 6. What is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification (Off-spec)?
hard- A.An RFC is about scope changes; an Off-spec is about quality issues
- ✓ B.An RFC is a request for a change to a baselined product; an Off-spec is a deviation from what was specified
- C.An RFC is always approved by the Project Board; an Off-spec is approved by the Project Manager
- D.An RFC is raised by the Project Manager; an Off-spec is raised by the team
Why B: An RFC is a proposal for a change to a baselined product; an Off-spec is something that should be provided but is not, or is provided incorrectly.
Variation 7. What is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification (Off-spec)?
hard- A.An RFC is a threat; an Off-spec is an opportunity
- B.An RFC requires a change budget; an Off-spec does not
- ✓ C.An RFC proposes a change to a baselined product; an Off-spec is a product that does not meet its specification
- D.An RFC is raised by the Project Manager; an Off-spec is raised by the Project Board
Why C: An RFC proposes a modification to a product that has been approved or baselined; an Off-spec is something that should be provided but is not (or will not be) as specified.
Variation 8. What is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification (Off-spec)?
hard- ✓ A.An RFC proposes a change to an agreed baseline; an Off-spec reports a failure to meet the specification
- B.An RFC is raised by the Project Board; an Off-spec is raised by the Project Manager
- C.An RFC is about scope changes; an Off-spec is about quality defects only
- D.An RFC is raised before the product is baselined; an Off-spec is raised after baselining
Why A: In PRINCE2, a Request for Change (RFC) is a formal proposal to modify any baselined product, while an Off-specification (Off-spec) is a notification that a product has failed to meet its agreed specification or that a product cannot be delivered as specified. The core distinction lies in the trigger: an RFC addresses a desired change to an already-approved baseline, whereas an Off-spec reports a deviation or failure against the original specification.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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