I always say 'mistakes are ok'. If they happen twice, then it's the workers fault and we talk about it and put in something to mitigate it. If it happens 3 times it's my fault.
I think I read a Sun Tzu version of this where the emperor had challenged him to teach the maids and serving-girls to march like a military troupe. He arranged the girls into squads, appointed squad leaders, and trained them how the march was supposed to be done.
The first attempt, the girls made a complete shambles of it and laughed and turned it into a farce. Sun Tzu apologized profusely to the girls for not giving adequate instruction, and clarified how everything was to be done.
The second time, the girls again turned it into a big farce. Sun Tzu said that this time he had made sure that they girls had been provided with adequate instruction, and yet the results were still unsatisfactory. So he had each of the girl's squad leaders executed while the others watched in horror.
The third time there was no laughter, no farce, and everyone did exactly as Sun Tzu had instructed.
Obviously I can't execute the Minions, but perhaps I should start a rumor that under-performers could end up in Ed's freezer.
Reasons mistakes happen:
-Documentation has not been prepared correctly. This is sometimes my fault, but not usually. Sometimes stuff from the engineers doesn't get carried through into the final design properly. This is often Boring Stories Bob type issues, as he does the CAD work. Of course this is not always Bob's fault, as the engineers sometimes hand him drawings that are covered with indecipherable red pen markings with stuff drawn in, crossed out, arrows and lines everywhere, and so on. They're supposed to review and approve the drawings afterward, but I imagine that sometimes they just glance at it and hit the approve button.
-Beta Minion sometimes daydreams while she's working. Alpha Minion keeps an eye on her, but she can't be there all the time.
-Ted Technician hubris.
As far as human error, that's our main sources. We do have processes that are supposed to ensure that stuff gets done right, but processes can't help some stuff.
We hired a new Minion in December. He is a large nondescript man, but he is quiet as a mouse. In terms of appearance, he reminds me of Grimace from McDonald's, or Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants. In terms of personality, he reminds me of Milton from Office Space. In my head, he is "Milton Minion". I will definitely not move his stapler!
Anybody else working this week ?
LOL, no! HAHAHAHA!!!
-k