An inability to meet the specified performance standard describes which failure type?

• A. Functional Failure
• B. Potential Failure
• C. Hidden Failure
• D. Intermittent Failure

Answer: (A)

When a component cannot perform its intended function to the required performance level, that is a functional failure. The performance standard defines how well the system must operate, so failing to reach it means the function isn’t being delivered as designed. This differs from a potential failure, which is only a condition that could lead to failure in the future but isn’t failing now; a hidden failure, which isn’t evident during normal operation and only shows up under specific tests or conditions; and an intermittent failure, which occurs irregularly and is hard to reproduce. So, an inability to meet the specified performance standard is a functional failure.