Poka Yoke: Poking into Mistakes for Total Quality!

Abstract

Mistakes happen. At times they are deadly. The statistics has those 25–30 mistakes at one level graduate the practitioner to a higher level of threat. Poka-yoke a Japanese quality assurance technique helps correct the process step where the error occurs. Thus it prevents incorrect parts from being made or assembled. The other option of avoiding inadvertent errors going to customer is ensured by detection by Poka Yokes. The various types encompassing the prevention and detection, Poka Yokes are exemplified in this paper using real life or common use exemplars. These are simultaneously linked with zero defect production. Further discussing the deployment of Poka Yokes in high performance applications I describe the techniques and abilities, namely the canny abilities of the scientist in Dr Abdul P J Kalam. How do we enjoy the fruits by correcting mistakes and carry on the quality journey is deliberated in this paper.

Keywords: Dr Abdul J Kalam, Pokhran nuclear test, seat belts in cars, forgetting mobile charger in a hotel, safety through fool proofing, recognition of currency by blind persons

Cite this Article

Priyavrat Thareja. Poka Yoke: Poking into Mistakes for Total Quality! Omniscience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2016; 6(2): 46–53p.