A particular combination of values for a defining set of mutually independent parameters by which some system or circumstance is modeled. The parameters are sometimes referred to as “state variables”.
In the sense of how the word “value” is used herein, a state is more accurately defined as some combination of ranges on a set of measures. The ranges might have some finite correlation expressed in the measure algorithms. The correlation might be either statistical or deterministic.
A degenerate version of the performance state can be developed by expressing whether the various functions are actually executing at the same time. That concept (a “functional state”) is frequently useful when trying to establish supervisory code.
If, within any given Functional Decomposition, the union of subfunction state variables are assuredly orthogonal, they may be taken as a basis for analysis of performance. Most SE methodologies use no such concept, which is why our performance requirements often get so confusing.
Contrast with mode. See also states and modes.