Improving Software Reliability with Poka Yoke, STAMP, and the BEAM

Bryan Hunter presents a talk on software reliability, focusing on using principles from Japanese manufacturing (Poka Yoke) which means mistake-proofing, and systems safety analysis known as STAMP (Systems-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes). These principles are applied to ensure software systems are robust, reliable, and exhibit minimal defects. The aim is to prevent errors before they occur or catch them early to minimize their impact. Through examples related to manufacturing and software, he illustrates how constraints and systematic checks can prevent common pitfalls. Hunter emphasizes that such techniques align well with the principles of the BEAM virtual machine (used by Erlang) which provides a robust platform for building fault-tolerant applications.