The way that a component or process step fails to perform a specified function is known as?

The term that accurately describes the way a component or process step fails to perform a specified function is "failure mode." In quality management and reliability engineering, a failure mode refers to the various ways in which something can fail to perform its intended purpose. It encompasses the specific characteristics of the failure, including the mechanism behind the failure and the conditions under which it occurs.

Understanding failure modes is crucial for organizations aiming to enhance their quality management practices, as it allows them to identify potential weaknesses in a system or process and take proactive steps to mitigate risks. By analyzing different failure modes, teams can prioritize improvements and develop more effective solutions to address these issues. This concept is foundational in techniques such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), where identifying potential failure modes is a critical step toward ensuring quality and reliability in products and processes.