PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
In PRINCE2, what is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-Specification (Off-spec)?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the raising authority or approval outcome with the core definition, leading them to choose options that describe procedural roles rather than the fundamental difference in what each term represents.
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 request to modify a product, while an Off-spec is a product that does not meet its specification
In PRINCE2, a Request for Change (RFC) is a formal proposal to modify a product, its specification, or the project's baseline, while an Off-Specification (Off-spec) is a product that has been completed but does not meet its agreed specification. The key distinction is that an RFC seeks to change what is required, whereas an Off-spec identifies a deviation from what was required.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
An RFC is raised by the Project Board; an Off-spec is raised by the Project Manager
Why it's wrong here
Any stakeholder can raise either.
- ✗
There is no difference; they are interchangeable terms
Why it's wrong here
They are distinct types of issues.
- ✓
An RFC is a request to modify a product, while an Off-spec is a product that does not meet its specification
Why this is correct
This is the core distinction: proactive vs. non-conformance.
- ✗
An RFC is always approved by the Change Authority; an Off-spec is always rejected
Why it's wrong here
Both can be approved or rejected depending on impact.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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