Quick Answer
The answer is Request for Change and Off-specification. In PRINCE2, an issue is any relevant event that requires management attention, and the framework formally recognizes only two types: a Request for Change, which is a proposal to alter a product’s specification, and an Off-specification, which is something that should be provided but is not. This distinction is critical because it separates proactive change proposals from reactive failures to meet agreed requirements. On the PRINCE2 Foundation exam, this concept tests your understanding of the PRINCE2 issue types as defined in the manual, often appearing in multiple-choice questions that ask you to select the correct pair from a list that may include distractors like “Problem” or “Risk.” A common trap is confusing a “Problem” with an Off-specification—remember that a problem is a general term, while Off-specification is a specific type of issue. A useful memory tip is to think of “RFC” for Request for Change and “Off-spec” for something that is off the agreed specification, and note that these are the only two formal types in PRINCE2.
This PRINCE2F practice question tests your understanding of prince2 practices. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO of the following are types of issue in PRINCE2?
Risk
Why wrong: Risk is a separate practice, not an issue type.
Highlight Report
Why wrong: A Highlight Report is a progress report, not an issue type.
Off-specification
An Off-specification is a type of issue.
Request for Change
A Request for Change is a type of issue.
Lessons Report
Why wrong: A Lessons Report is a management product, not an issue type.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Off-specification
In PRINCE2, an issue is a relevant event that has occurred and requires management attention. The two recognized types of issue are 'Off-specification' (something that should be provided but is not) and 'Request for Change' (a proposal for a change to a product's specification). These are formally defined in the PRINCE2 manual as the only issue types.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Risk
Why it's wrong here
Risk is a separate practice, not an issue type.
Highlight Report
Why it's wrong here
A Highlight Report is a progress report, not an issue type.
Off-specification
Why this is correct
An Off-specification is a type of issue.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Request for Change
Why this is correct
A Request for Change is a type of issue.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Lessons Report
Why it's wrong here
A Lessons Report is a management product, not an issue type.
Common exam traps
PeopleCert often tests the confusion between 'issue' and 'risk' — candidates mistakenly select 'Risk' because they think it is a type of issue, but PRINCE2 treats risks and issues as distinct concepts with separate processes and registers.
Detailed technical explanation
PRINCE2 defines three specific types of issue: Request for Change (RFC), Off-specification, and Problem/Concern. The first two are the only ones listed as 'types' in the official syllabus for the Foundation exam. Off-specification occurs when a product does not meet its agreed specification, while an RFC proposes a deliberate change to the specification. Understanding this distinction is critical for managing project baselines and configuration items.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PRINCE2F exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
PRINCE2 Practices — study guide chapter
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FAQ
PRINCE2 Practices — This question tests PRINCE2 Practices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Off-specification — In PRINCE2, an issue is a relevant event that has occurred and requires management attention. The two recognized types of issue are 'Off-specification' (something that should be provided but is not) and 'Request for Change' (a proposal for a change to a product's specification). These are formally defined in the PRINCE2 manual as the only issue types.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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 of the following are types of issue in PRINCE2?
hardWhy B: The three types of issue are Request for Change, Off-specification, and Problem/Concern.
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are types of issue in PRINCE2?
mediumWhy A: PRINCE2 defines three issue types: Request for Change, Off-specification, and Problem/Concern. 'Risk' and 'Change budget' are not issue types.
Variation 3. Which TWO of the following are types of issue in PRINCE2?
mediumWhy D: PRINCE2 defines three issue types: Request for Change, Off-specification, and Problem/Concern. Options A and B are correct; the others are not types of issue.
Variation 4. Which TWO of the following are types of issue in PRINCE2?
mediumWhy B: The PRINCE2 issue types are Request for Change, Off-specification, and Problem/Concern. Threat and opportunity are risk types.
Variation 5. Which TWO of the following are types of issue in PRINCE2?
mediumWhy B: The three types of issue are Request for Change, Off-specification, and Problem/Concern.
Variation 6. Which TWO of the following are types of issues in PRINCE2?
mediumWhy A: Issue types are: Request for Change, Off-specification, and Problem/Concern. Risk is not an issue; it is a separate practice.
Variation 7. Which TWO of the following are types of issues in PRINCE2?
mediumWhy A: PRINCE2 defines three types of issues: Request for Change, Off-specification, and Problem/Concern. Risk and change are not types of issues.
Variation 8. Which TWO of the following are types of issues in PRINCE2?
mediumWhy C: The three issue types are: Request for Change, Off-specification, and Problem/Concern. Options A and B are correct. Options C, D, and E are not official issue types.
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This PRINCE2F practice question is part of Courseiva's free PeopleCert certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PRINCE2F exam.
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