Characteristic

Decision Type:

Method Category:

Categories: Terms

An item’s distinguishing feature. An item’s property that is measured, counted, or otherwise observed and used to distinguish items.

Capability analysis
The study of process characteristic(s) that estimates the probability the results of the process fall within a stated range.
Interchangeability
The ability to interchange, without restriction, like equipment or portions thereof in manufacture, maintenance, or operation. Like products are two or more items that possess such functional and physical characteristics as to be equivalent in performance and durability, and are capable of being exchanged one for the other without alteration of the items themselves or of adjoining items, except for adjustment, and without selection for fit and performance.
Control plan
A process document describing the system elements applied to control variation of process, product or service characteristics and to minimize deviations from target values.
Accelerated life testing
An experiment conducted to ascertain the time-to-failure characteristics of an item attributable to a specific failure mechanism. ALT shortens the time to failure by using more stressful conditions or higher use rates.
Simulation
An approach in which one attempts to model a real-world system by representing key characteristics using different conditions over time. Simulation modeling for engineering analysis is often less expensive than creating prototypes.