Lean Management has adopted the principles and techniques originating as part of the Lean Manufacturing methodology and developed them even further. Now we can experience the benefits of Lean in management and transfer successful techniques from the times of post war Japan to modern day business conditions.
One of the most valuable takeaways is Poka Yoke. It has become one of the most powerful work standardization techniques and can be applied to any manufacturing or service industry.
Its idea to prevent errors and defects from appearing in the first place is universally applicable and has proven to be a true efficiency booster.
The term Poka Yoke (poh-kah yoh-keh) was coined in Japan during the 1960s by Shigeo Shingo, an industrial engineer at Toyota. Shingo also created and formalized Zero Quality Control – a combination of Poka Yoke techniques to correct possible defects and source inspection to prevent defects.
Actually, the initial term was baka-yoke, meaning ‘fool-proofing’, but was later changed because of the term’s dishonorable and offensive connotation. Poka Yoke means ‘mistake-proofing’ or more literally – avoiding (yokeru) inadvertent errors (poka).
Poka Yokes ensure that the right conditions exist before a process step is executed, and thus preventing defects from occurring in the first place. Where this is not possible, Poka Yokes perform a detective function, eliminating defects in the process as early as possible.
Poka Yoke technique could be used whenever a mistake could occur or something could be done wrong – meaning everywhere. It can be successfully applied to any type of process in manufacturing or services industry, preventing all kinds of errors:
- Processing error: Process operation missed or not performed per the standard operating procedure.
- Setup error: Using the wrong tooling or setting machine adjustments incorrectly.
- Missing part: Not all parts included in the assembly, welding, or other processes.
- Improper part/item: Wrong part used in the process.
- Operations error: Carrying out an operation incorrectly; having the incorrect version of the specification.
- Measurement error: Errors in machine adjustment, test measurement or dimensions of a part coming in from a supplier.
Poka yoke is easy to implement because of its universal and rational nature. You can follow this step by step process to apply it:
- Identify the operation or process.
- Analyze the 5-whys and the ways a process can fail.
- Choose the right Poka Yoke approach, such as using a shutout type(preventing an error being made), or an attention type (highlighting that an error has been made).
- Take a comprehensive approach instead of thinking of Poka Yokes just as limit switches, or automatic shutoff.
- Determine whether a contact(use of shape, size or other physical attributes for detection), constant number (error triggered if a certain number of actions are not made), or a sequencing method (use of a checklist to ensure completing all process steps) is most appropriate.
- Test the method and see if it works.
- Train the operator, review performance and measure success.
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