PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Practices Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are types of issue in PRINCE2's Change practice?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'Quality defect' as a separate issue type, but PRINCE2 explicitly classifies it under 'Off-specification', and 'Exception' is a management response to a forecast deviation, not an issue type.
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
✓
Off-specification
In PRINCE2's Change practice, issues are categorized into two specific types: Request for Change (RFC) and Off-specification. Option B (Off-specification) is correct because it represents a situation where a product or project is not meeting its agreed specification, which is a formal issue type that must be managed through the change control process. Option E (Request for Change) is correct because it is the other formal issue type, used when someone wants to change a baseline (such as a product's specification, a plan, or a stage boundary) after it has been approved. The other options do not belong: Risk (A) is managed in the Risk practice, not as an issue type; Quality defect (C) is a specific kind of problem that would typically be raised as an Off-specification or RFC, but it is not a distinct issue type in PRINCE2; and Exception (D) is a management-level deviation from tolerance handled in the Progress practice, not a Change practice issue type.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Risk
Why it's wrong here
Risk is managed through the separate Risk practice, covering uncertain future events, whereas the Change practice handles issues that have already occurred. It is tempting because unresolved risks often convert into issues, and risk would be correct when identifying and assessing threats or opportunities rather than recording current problems.
- ✓
Off-specification
Why this is correct
An off-specification is a recognised PRINCE2 issue type, raised when the project cannot meet an agreed requirement, such as a product failing to meet its specification. It sits alongside requests for change and problems as one of the defined issue categories in the Change practice.
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Quality defect
Why it's wrong here
Quality defect is not one of PRINCE2's three issue types; defects are handled within quality control and quality review activities. It is tempting because a defect resembles a problem requiring action, and quality defect would be correct when logging a product failing its quality criteria during a quality review.
- ✗
Exception
Why it's wrong here
Exception is a PRINCE2 management-by-exception concept describing a deviation beyond tolerances, escalated to the project board; it is not one of the Change practice issue types. It is tempting because exceptions do prompt change activity, and would be correct when describing a forecast breach of stage or project tolerances.
- ✓
Request for Change
Why this is correct
A request for change is a formal PRINCE2 issue type, raised when someone wants to alter a baselined product. Alongside off-specifications and problems, it forms the three recognised issue categories that the Change practice manages through the issue register and change control.
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