During what circumstance might failure occur, according to systems engineering principles?

In systems engineering principles, failure can occur when a system operates beyond its designed parameters. Specifically, exceeding the minimum required value can lead to unexpected results, system stresses, or component failures. This situation arises because systems are engineered with certain thresholds and limits in mind. When those limits are surpassed, components may not function as intended, leading to a cascade of failures or malfunctions.

In contrast, the other options suggest scenarios where failure is either constrained to specific conditions or implies a negative state of performance that may not necessarily lead to failure. For example, design limits take into account the intended operational capacity; below minimum specifications may indicate suboptimal performance rather than outright failure. Normal testing is typically expected to build resilience and validate system performance, hence is less likely to demonstrate failure unless those tests are deliberately pushed beyond the system's safe operational boundaries.