poka-yoke

A poka-yoke is a mistake-proofing mechanism built into a process or device that prevents human errors from occurring or makes them immediately obvious so they can be corrected before causing defects. Originating in the Toyota Production System, poka-yokes rely on simple physical constraints, sensors, or procedural checks — such as a plug that only fits one orientation, a fixture that detects a missing part, or a checklist that blocks progression until all items are marked complete — rather than relying on human memory or vigilance. The mechanism persists through design specifications, manufacturing tooling, and standardized work instructions carried across the production lifecycle.
[formal: poka-yoke | substrate: behavior | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]