How is an incident defined in the context of incident management?

In the context of incident management, an incident is defined specifically as an unplanned interruption to a service or a reduction in the quality of a service. This definition is crucial because it emphasizes that incidents do not stem from routine or scheduled tasks but rather from unexpected events that disrupt the normal functioning of services.

Recognizing an incident in this manner allows organizations to swiftly address the situation and restore service to its operational state. This distinction is essential for prioritizing incident response efforts and ensuring that resources are focused on resolving issues that directly impact service delivery.

Other options such as an improvement in service quality, a planned service change, or a scheduled maintenance task do not align with the core definition of an incident. These options refer to activities or changes that are typically planned and anticipated rather than disruptions that require immediate attention and management in the incident response process.