PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Practices Practice Question
What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse the source or approval authority of RFCs and Off-specs, but PRINCE2 explicitly defines them by their purpose: an RFC proposes a change to a baseline, while an Off-spec records a failure to meet a specification.
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 proposes a change to an agreed baseline; an Off-specification is a failure to meet a specification
In PRINCE2, a Request for Change (RFC) is a formal proposal to modify any approved baseline (e.g., scope, schedule, cost), while an Off-specification (Off-spec) is a documented deviation where a product or process fails to meet its agreed specification. Option D correctly captures this fundamental distinction: an RFC proposes a change to a baseline, whereas an Off-spec records a failure to meet a specification.
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 about scope; an Off-specification is about quality
Why it's wrong here
Both can concern scope or quality; the key difference is intent: change vs. non-conformance.
- ✗
A Request for Change is always approved by the Change Authority; an Off-specification is always approved by the Project Board
Why it's wrong here
Both can be approved by the Change Authority or Project Board depending on the level of delegation.
- ✗
A Request for Change is generated by the Project Manager; an Off-specification is generated by the Team Manager
Why it's wrong here
Both can be raised by anyone, not limited to these roles.
- ✓
A Request for Change proposes a change to an agreed baseline; an Off-specification is a failure to meet a specification
Why this is correct
Request for Change = proposed change; Off-specification = a product failing to meet its agreed specification.
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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. What is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification?
hard- ✓ A.An RFC is a proposal for a change to a baseline, while an off-specification is a product that does not meet its specification
- B.An RFC is a type of issue, while an off-specification is not
- C.An RFC is recorded in the Issue Register, while an off-specification is recorded in the Quality Register
- D.An RFC can be approved by the Change Authority, while an off-specification must be approved by the Project Board
Why A: A Request for Change (RFC) is a proposal to change a product baseline, while an Off-specification is a product that does not meet its specification at the time of delivery or is missing entirely. Option B is incorrect because both RFCs and Off-specifications are types of issues in PRINCE2. Option C is incorrect because both are recorded in the Issue Register, not the Quality Register. Option D is incorrect because both can be approved at appropriate levels, and an Off-specification can also be approved by the Change Authority depending on the delegated authority.
Variation 2. What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
hard- A.A Request for Change relates to the Business Case; an Off-specification relates to the Project Plan
- B.There is no difference; they are synonyms
- ✓ C.A Request for Change seeks to change a baseline; an Off-specification is a product not meeting its specification
- D.A Request for Change is always raised by the Project Manager; an Off-specification is raised by a Team Manager
Why C: A Request for Change proposes a modification to agreed baselines, while an Off-specification is a product that deviates from its specification.
Variation 3. What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
medium- ✓ A.A Request for Change proposes a modification to a baselined product; an Off-specification identifies a failure to meet agreed requirements
- B.A Request for Change requires approval from the Project Board; an Off-specification requires approval from the Change Authority
- C.There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
- D.A Request for Change is always raised by the Project Manager; an Off-specification is raised by the Senior User
Why A: A Request for Change is a proposal for a change to a product that is already baselined, while an Off-specification is something that should have been provided but was not, or is faulty.
Variation 4. What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
hard- A.A Request for Change is for changes to the project plan; an Off-specification is for changes to products
- B.A Request for Change is raised by the team; an Off-specification is raised by the project manager
- C.A Request for Change requires an issue report; an Off-specification does not
- ✓ D.A Request for Change is a proposal to change a baselined product; an Off-specification is a product that does not meet its specification
Why D: A Request for Change is a proposed change to a product that has been defined and possibly baselined. An Off-specification is something that is missing from a product or does not meet specifications. Both are types of issue, but the key difference is that a RFC is a change to the specification, while an Off-spec is a failure to meet it.
Variation 5. What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
hard- ✓ A.A Request for Change proposes a modification to a baseline, whereas an Off-specification identifies a failure to meet a baseline
- B.There is no difference; they are the same thing
- C.A Request for Change is raised by the Project Board, while an Off-specification is raised by the Project Manager
- D.An Off-specification requires a change budget, while a Request for Change does not
Why A: A Request for Change is a proposal for a change to the project's baselines, while an Off-specification is something that should be provided but is not (or is forecast not to be).
Variation 6. What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
medium- A.A Request for Change is a change to the project scope; an Off-specification is a change to the schedule
- B.A Request for Change is raised by the Project Board; an Off-specification is raised by the Project Manager
- ✓ C.A Request for Change is a proposal for a change; an Off-specification is a non-conformance with a baseline
- D.A Request for Change always requires a change budget; an Off-specification does not
Why C: A Request for Change is a proposal for a change that would modify agreed baselines or requirements. An Off-specification is something that should be provided but is not currently present (or is incorrect).
Variation 7. What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
hard- A.A Request for Change can only be raised by the Project Board, while an Off-specification can be raised by anyone.
- B.There is no difference; they are the same thing with different names.
- C.A Request for Change is raised for any deviation, while an Off-specification is only for threats.
- ✓ D.A Request for Change proposes a modification to an agreed baseline, while an Off-specification identifies a product that does not meet its specification.
Why D: A Request for Change proposes a modification to an agreed baseline, while an Off-specification is something that should be provided but is not (or is forecast not to be).
Variation 8. What is the difference between a Request for Change and an Off-specification?
hard- ✓ A.An Off-specification is something that should be provided but is not, while a Request for Change is a proposal to change a baseline
- B.A Request for Change always requires a change budget, while an Off-specification does not
- C.A Request for Change is raised by the Project Board, while an Off-specification is raised by the Project Manager
- D.An Off-specification is recorded in the Risk Register, while a Request for Change is in the Issue Register
Why A: A Request for Change (RFC) is a proposal to modify a baseline, while an Off-specification (Off-spec) describes something that should be provided by the product but is not. Therefore, option A is correct.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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