PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
What is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-Specification (Off-spec)?
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 proposes a modification; an Off-spec identifies a deviation from specification
An RFC proposes a change to baselined products, while an Off-spec identifies that a product does not meet its specification (a defect or non-conformance).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
There is no difference; they are interchangeable terms
Why it's wrong here
They are distinct concepts in PRINCE2's issue management.
- ✗
An RFC is a change to the project scope; an Off-spec is a change to the schedule
Why it's wrong here
Off-spec relates to product specifications, not schedule.
- ✓
An RFC proposes a modification; an Off-spec identifies a deviation from specification
Why this is correct
This is the correct distinction: RFC is proactive change; Off-spec is a conformance issue.
- ✗
An RFC is raised by the Project Board; an Off-spec is raised by the Project Manager
Why it's wrong here
The raising authority for both Requests for Change and Off-specifications is not exclusively tied to the Project Board or Project Manager; anyone can raise either. The fundamental difference lies in an RFC being a *proposal* for a desirable change to baselined products, whereas an Off-spec is a *report* of a deviation from baselined products that has already occurred or is forecast. This option is tempting because the Project Board ultimately *authorises* changes and the Project Manager *manages* the change control procedure, leading to a misconception about their exclusive raising roles.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.