failure mode
How things break
A failure mode is the specific way something goes wrong—the particular manner in which a system, component, or process fails.
Engineers analyze failure modes to anticipate problems: metal fatigue is a common failure mode in aircraft.
The term extends beyond engineering to describe characteristic ways people or organizations malfunction: His failure mode is taking on too much and delivering nothing.
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- glitchMinor system fault
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
- crashSudden violent impact
error · human error · fault · bug · design flaw · catastrophic · systemic · cascade · weak link · warning · diagnostic · analysis · root cause · critical · mechanical · electrical · software · hardware
- scenariosbest-case, worst-case, hypothetical, what-if, best case
- Crash InvestigationsNTSB, crash investigation, crash site, crash scene, black box
- material mechanicsstress-strain, tensile strength, elasticity, strain, ductility
- reliabilityreliable, dependable, trustworthy, consistent, faithful
- risk managementrisk sharing, risk analysis, risk factor, risk mitigation, risk appetite
- fault treesAND gate