Field Return

A field return is a defect that escaped the line. The fix is not complete until the class of defect is moved upstream.

Process

1. Reproduce or characterize the defect.

   • What failed?
   • Who observed it?
   • What was the expected behavior?
   • What was the actual behavior?

2. Classify the escape.

   • Work Order leaked if correctness was never specified.
   • The Part leaked if behavior was specified but not tested.
   • Andon Cord leaked if a mechanical gate should have failed.
   • Inspection leaked if judgment or spec drift was visible in review.
   • Field leaked if monitoring, rollback, or alerting failed to surface it.