PokaYoke

I forgot what site I got this from, but it’s a term I heard from a friend who took up Industrial Engineering (IE).

The term “PokaYoke” was popularised by Shigeo Shingo through his book “Zero Quality Control: Source Inspection and the PokaYoke System”. Shingo points out that mistakes will always be made (we’re only human after all!), but if PokaYoke’s are implemented then mistakes can be prevented from becoming defects (mistakes that reach the customer).

Most often these Pokayoke’s or fail-safe devises are very simple and often inexpensive visual prompts that prevents the defect in the product occurring. Either the operator is alerted that a mistake is about to be made, or the device actually prevents the mistake from being made. The important point of these types of mechanisms is that 100% of the parts are checked without the need for concentration from the operator.

Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

It’s been two months now since I started working where I am. But it has felt like a year has gone by. I’ve hardly had any time for this blog. So it is time to spruce it up a bit.

I am currently a trainee in the company, and it’s a lot like being a rookie in a sports team. I get to do all the stuff that other players don’t enjoy doing. My boss tells me to be patient and just stick it out. Everyone has to start at the bottom right?

So I am trying to absorb everything I can and feel things out, if this is the best profession for me. I want to find out if this is just a ‘blip’ in my resume, just like my very first job in a construction company, or if this is what I am going to do for the rest of my life.

Somehow, a part of me feels that it isn’t. But we shouldn’t always trust in our feelings. We should put our faith in God. For He knows what we will eventually become. So I’d rather be in the center of His will for my life, than be in the center of my will for my life. I have a tendency to mess things up =)

Superhero

With all the superhero shows that are around like Smallville, Heroes, and Kyle XY and the popularity of movies like Spiderman, the Hulk and the Fantastic Four, people might begin to take the Bible for granted. People who see powers of telepathy, super strength, and regeneration might soon see the Lord Jesus Christ’s miracles as nothing compared to these. All He did was heal the sick, multiply food, and rise from the dead. A lot of other heroes have done way  cooler stuff than He has. What better way for the enemy to discredit the works of God than to make the extra-ordinary seem ordinary.

The heroes of today probably have been influenced by characters from the Bible. Samson is a basis for comic characters with super-human strength. Elijah was probably the basis for comic heroes with super-speed or flame based powers. Look on to David’s mighty men when it comes to heroes with expertise in archery and other projectiles. And Moses was probably the basis for wizards and magicians. God’s omniscience, and ability to read other people’s thoughts, a trait that He alone possesses and not even angelic beings have, has been given to telepaths in the comic world.

But let us not forget that everything written in the Bible is true and real, and has either occurred or will occur. Comic books on the other hand are mere fiction. Some heroes like Thor may be sons of fictional gods. But Jesus Christ is the real son of God. Some heroes like Superman claim to be the savior of mankind. Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins and offer us everlasting life. Characters like Linderman have the abililty to give life but cannot save their own life, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and He has risen from the grave and has over come death.

Let us not forget our true and real hero. Jesus Christ. He rescues us not only from physical pain, but from emotional and spiritual anguish. And entrusting your life to him is a safer choice than entrusting it to a fictional hero. Jesus is my Superhero.