MENTAL MODEL · M0536

Poka-Yoke

BusinessHigh supportManagement

Included

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Proposed by Shigeo Shingo. By designing devices or processes, it makes it difficult for operators to make mistakes even if they want to. For example: the unique chamfered design of a SIM card prevents incorrect insertion; microwave ovens automatically power off when the door is opened.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Mechanism design: never trust human attention. When designing products or management processes, rather than writing ten thousand words of "precautions", it is better to design a physical "latch" that physically insulates errors at the source.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

By designing so that errors are immediately prevented or exposed when they occur, making it "hard to do wrong", rather than relying on human carefulness.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/3

Practice this model in one real situation:

Identify error-prone steps
use physical/process constraints (shape, sequence, sensing) to prevent wrong assembly or wrong actions
set up automatic detection and shutdown.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

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Source support: Explicit

link
en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poka-yokeZH · Explicit
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