What does the Bathtub Curve Model describe?

The Bathtub Curve Model specifically illustrates the failure patterns of a product throughout its lifecycle, which includes three distinct phases: infant mortality, normal life, and wear-out. Initially, in the infant mortality phase, there are higher failure rates due to issues such as manufacturing defects or early design flaws. This is followed by a period of normal life where the failure rate stabilizes and remains relatively low during the product's most reliable phase. Finally, in the wear-out phase, the failure rate increases again as the product reaches the end of its useful life due to aging and wear.

This model is crucial for quality management as it helps organizations understand when to expect failures and plan maintenance or replacements accordingly. By using this model, companies can enhance product reliability and improve customer satisfaction through better management of the product lifecycle. Understanding these phases is essential for effective quality control and assurance processes.