What is the term used for the practice of identifying imperfections or deficiencies within a process or product?

The practice of identifying imperfections or deficiencies within a process or product is best described by the term "Defect Detection." This term specifically refers to the systematic approach aimed at finding errors or faults that may affect the quality or performance of a product or process before they lead to larger issues or impacts. By detecting defects early, organizations can take corrective actions to improve quality, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency.

This concept is crucial in various fields, particularly in quality management and manufacturing, where ensuring that products meet established standards is vital for customer satisfaction and compliance. Defect detection usually involves methods such as inspections, testing, and audits, all of which are integral to quality assurance processes.

In contrast, while defect prevention is an important aspect of quality control focusing on measures to avoid defects from occurring in the first place, it does not address the act of finding and identifying already existing imperfections. Similarly, deflation refers to a decrease in the general price level of goods and services and is not related to the identification of defects in processes or products, nor does demographic segmentation pertain to quality control—it is a term used in marketing to describe the process of dividing a target market into smaller groups based on certain characteristics.