Which of the following is an example of mistake-proofing?

Question

Options

• AUsing an and R chart to prevent errors
• BUsing 100% inspection to detect and contain defects
• CUsing color coding as an error signal
• DHaving the team that created the errors repair them

• B
  4% (1)
• C
  96% (23)

Explanation

Color coding is a classic example of mistake-proofing (poka-yoke) - a technique that uses a built-in mechanism to make errors immediately obvious or physically impossible, preventing defects at the source rather than catching them later. Option A (X-bar and R charts) is a Statistical Process Control tool used to monitor process variation, not prevent individual errors from occurring. Option B (100% inspection) is a detection and containment strategy - it finds defects after they're made, which is the opposite of mistake-proofing. Option D (having creators fix their own errors) is an accountability or feedback practice, not a design-based prevention mechanism.

Memory tip: Think of poka-yoke as "the process won't let you get it wrong" - examples include USB plugs that only fit one way, color-coded wires, or fuel nozzles sized differently for diesel vs. regular. If a choice involves detecting after the fact or analyzing data, it's not mistake-proofing.

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