Relying on Memory Leads to Rework

Mark Graban in the LeanBlog points to Chief Justice John Roberts’ flubbing of President-elect Obama’s swearing in as an overreliance on memory in lieu of a mistake-proofing checklist.  He has a good point.  Just as a pilot or (increasingly) as a medical doctor would rely on a checklist to avoid an error, Chief Justice Roberts could have used his note cards.  Now, just like having to “go around” on a landing or opening up the patient to retrieve a sponge, the oath of office had to be readministered.

Whatever you call it – poke-yoke, mistake-proofing, error-proofing, Justice-proofing – looks like a few billion people just saw a huge lean case study!

Read Mark’s deeper discussion and examples here.

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