Webinar: Why Mistake Proofing Matters
Many organizations respond to errors by asking people to be more careful, add inspections, or rely on training and reminders.
Those approaches rarely work for long.
In this webinar, John Grout explains how poka-yoke (mistake proofing) reduces errors by designing them out of processes—rather than relying on vigilance, memory, or blame.
Mistake proofing shifts the focus from who made the mistake to how the system allowed it to happen.
View all previous KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Webinars
What You’ll Learn
In this fast-paced and highly visual session, you’ll learn:
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What poka-yoke (mistake proofing) really is—and what it is not
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The difference between preventing, detecting, and fail-safing errors
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Why inspection and checklists are weaker than good design
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How to distinguish skill-based, rule-based, and knowledge-based errors
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When mistake proofing works—and when other approaches are needed
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Practical examples from manufacturing, healthcare, and everyday life
The session uses a PechaKucha-style format to deliver clear concepts and memorable examples.
What Is Poka-Yoke?
Poka-yoke, a concept popularized by Shigeo Shingo, means mistake proofing—making errors impossible, immediately visible, or harmless when they occur.
Effective mistake proofing:
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Makes the right action the easiest action
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Reduces reliance on memory and attention
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Improves safety, quality, and efficiency at the same time
When done well, poka-yoke doesn’t slow work down—it makes work easier and more reliable.
Who This Webinar Is For
This webinar is especially valuable for:
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Continuous improvement and Lean leaders
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Quality, safety, and operational excellence professionals
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Healthcare, manufacturing, and service leaders
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Managers frustrated by recurring errors and rework
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Teams trying to move beyond inspection and reminders
If errors keep recurring despite training and good intentions, this session will change how you think about prevention.
Key Insight: Don’t Blame People—Fix the Design
As John explains, many errors are predictable based on how work is designed.
Mistake proofing helps organizations:
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Prevent errors before they occur
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Detect problems immediately when prevention isn’t possible
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Replace fragile controls with robust design
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Improve performance without adding burden
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s better systems that help people succeed.
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