The Defect, the Fault and the Failure

Graphical representation of the interrelations between a defect, a fault, and a failure

Defect: departure of a characteristic of a system from requirements

Fault: inability of s system to perform a required function

Failed State: state of a system unable to perform a required function

Failure Mode: effect by which a failure is observed

Failure: termination of the ability of a system to perform a required function