Poka-yoke is a Japanese term that literally translates as “error avoidance”. This method not only protects against errors; But also prevents some potential problems originating from human nature such as forgetfulness, ignorance or fatigue. People make mistakes and poka-yoke control methods prevent them.

The inventor of the Poka-yoke methods is Japanese engineer Shigeo Shingo (1909-1990). He was expert in the field of production and one of the creators of the Toyota production system. Shigeo Shingo has developed the Zero Quality Control (ZQC) or Zero Error approach. The zero error method is based on the belief that even if the machine or person makes a mistake. The defects are prevented by controlling the production process in this way when the error does not occur.

Examples from our life

There are many examples of using Poka-yoke not only in production but also in daily life;

Check the position of the gear lever when starting the engine of a vehicle, if the gear is not where it should be, the vehicle will not start.

Electronic companies painting each cable in a different color to prevent mistakes. It is impossible for the technician working in this way to mix the cables.

Even if you want the SIM card to the phone slot because of its cut corner, you cannot insert it incorrectly.

Poka-yoke resets your probability of determining the password you do not want in the wrong way when you set a password to our e-mail with a double password system.

The shape of the power plug and socket makes it impossible to insert the plug into the socket incorrectly.

Economically, poka-yoke is not only a mechanical quality control method. Many economists see a philosophical side in poka-yoke. Companies trying to improve the quality of their services to the consumers are the basis of the modern management methods. When they use such mechanisms, they do not allow the employee to make any professional mistakes.

We can apply the poka-yoke concept in the office too. For example, special software used reduces error in existing or planned jobs and increases efficiency. The poka-yoke method can be a great advantage when performing repeated mechanical operations. Therefore, while poka-yoke allows one to release their thoughts and facilitate their work for creative activities. On the other hand, companies using this method improve the quality of customer service. Isn’t that the most important thing in any job anyway?

Wikipedia