As a robust engineering discipline, Poka-yoke—literally "mistake-proofing"—is the cornerstone of resilient system design. Historically known as "fool-proofing," the manufacturing industry shifted to the Japanese terminology to emphasize human respect, shifting the focus from "fool" constraints to systemic support.

This shift is guided by Kaizen, the philosophy of continuous improvement. Kaizen identifies the root causes of operational waste, while Poka-yoke provides practical solutions to prevent recurring errors. Developed within the Toyota Production System, Poka-yoke ensures mistakes are either impossible or quickly detected.

Poka-yoke mechanisms, whether based on unique geometry or sensors, ensure quality at the source and turn potential failures into structural reliability. In Lean methodology, Kaizen drives progress, while Poka-yoke safeguards industrial precision.