Poka yoke

Poka-yoke, a Japanese term, means “mistake-proofing” or “error-prevention”. It involves designing processes and products to prevent errors from occurring in the first place or to make them immediately obvious for quick correction. Essentially, it’s about building safeguards into a system to avoid mistakes.
Elaboration:
Meaning:
Poka-yoke (also spelled poka yoke) is derived from the Japanese words “poka” (mistake or blunder) and “yoke” (to avoid or dodge).
Purpose:
The goal of poka-yoke is to minimize or eliminate defects by preventing errors from occurring, or by making them detectable and easily corrected at the source.
Implementation:
This can be achieved through various methods, such as physical constraints, alarms, checklists, or even design changes that make it impossible to make a mistake.
Examples:
A common example is the interlock on a top-load washing machine that prevents the machine from rotating while the lid is open. Another example is a tool that only fits a specific part, preventing incorrect assembly.
Benefits:
By preventing errors, poka-yoke reduces waste, improves quality, and lowers costs. It also contributes to a more efficient and streamlined process.