Failure mode
Execution Drift
A runtime failure mode where query or pipeline behavior changes materially under load, latency, retries, or deployment shifts even though the system still appears available.
Domain: execution-reliabilityDomain: change-reliability
ARF layer: context-stabilityARF layer: ai-readiness-interoperability
Signals
- response behavior changes under realistic workload or timing conditions
- fallback paths, timeouts, or degraded execution alter the effective answer path
- performance regressions create inconsistent user experience and operational confidence
Why it matters
Execution drift matters because “it worked in the happy path” is not enough for operational systems. Runtime behavior becomes part of answer quality when the platform is expected to support action in real business conditions.
Prevention patterns
- workload baselines and regression thresholds
- deterministic test cases that include degraded operating conditions
- explicit observability for retries, fallback logic, and runtime path changes