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Failure-Mode Ontology

The failure-mode ontology is the artifact that translates module outputs into named, ranked, and actionable risk modes.

Source artifact​

In the example bundle, the ontology is emitted as:

results/failure_mode_ontology_output_v1.json

What it contains​

The sample file exposes several layers:

  • global plan and execution context
  • modes as the full list of emitted failure-mode objects
  • program_classification for primary and secondary risks
  • tri_projection for the ontology-linked TRI view
  • render_contract for deterministic rendering expectations

Per-mode structure​

Each mode record in the sample output contains:

  • a stable mode_id
  • domain and label
  • severity and confidence
  • matched signatures
  • reasons
  • actions
  • notes for review and prioritization
  • narrative-ready fields

This is why the ontology should be treated as more than a label list. It is an explanation and action structure.

Program-level rollup​

The ontology also emits a program-level classification with:

  • primary failure modes
  • secondary risks
  • salvageability framing

That rollup is useful for summarization, but the underlying mode list remains the more detailed record.

Relationship to TRI​

The ontology output includes a tri_projection block. That means the failure-mode layer is not separate from the risk index. It is part of the reasoning substrate behind the rendered TRI narrative.