What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
An RFC is a request to change an approved product; an Off-specification is a non-conformance already present.
Why this answer
In PRINCE2, a Request for Change (RFC) is a formal proposal to modify a product, baseline, or plan before it is completed, while an Off-specification is a formal notification that a product has deviated from its specification after it has been produced. The key distinction is timing and intent: RFCs are proactive modifications, whereas Off-specifications are reactive deviations that have already occurred.
Exam trap
The trap here is that candidates confuse the proactive nature of an RFC (a proposal for change) with the reactive nature of an Off-specification (a deviation that has already occurred), often mixing up the timing or assuming they are interchangeable terms.
How to eliminate wrong answers
Option A is wrong because RFCs and Off-specifications are distinct concepts with different purposes and triggers in PRINCE2. Option B is wrong because RFCs are not limited to schedule changes—they can cover any aspect of a product or plan, and Off-specifications are not solely about quality issues; they document any deviation from the agreed specification, including functionality or performance. Option D is wrong because both RFCs and Off-specifications can be raised by any stakeholder, not exclusively by the Project Manager or Team Manager; the PRINCE2 guidance states that anyone can raise an issue, which is then categorized appropriately.