PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
⚠ Common exam trap
PeopleCert often tests the timing distinction between RFC and Off-spec, trapping candidates who confuse a proactive change request with a reactive deviation report.
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
✓
A Request for Change is a proposal for a future change, while an Off-specification is a problem that has already occurred
A Request for Change (RFC) is a proposal for a future modification to the project's baselined products, while an Off-specification (Off-spec) is a problem that has already occurred, indicating that a product does not meet its specification. In PRINCE2, the key distinction is timing: RFCs are proactive and seek approval for a planned change, whereas Off-specs are reactive and document a deviation that has already happened.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A Request for Change is always approved by the Change Authority, while an Off-specification requires approval from the Project Board
Why it's wrong here
Both may require approval depending on tolerance levels; the difference is in definition.
- ✓
A Request for Change is a proposal for a future change, while an Off-specification is a problem that has already occurred
Why this is correct
This is the key distinction: RFC is proactive, Off-spec is reactive.
- ✗
There is no difference; both terms can be used interchangeably
Why it's wrong here
They are distinct in PRINCE2.
- ✗
An Off-specification only applies to quality failures, while a Request for Change applies to scope changes
Why it's wrong here
Both can relate to scope or quality; the difference is the timing and nature.
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