TRIZ

TRIZ originats from the former Soviet Union, now becoming more and more popular in the United States and other western countries, mostly in technological intensive companies. Its author Genrich S. Altshuller discovered that the most pretentious problems in principal include contradicted demands (contradiction). He discovered that most solutions resort to compromises, where the improvement of one parameter is achieved at the costs of deterioration of another parameter. The result of such a solution is that the system doesn’t optimally fulfill at least one of the functions. The right solution (conceptual breakthrough) would enable to eliminate contradiction without compromises. Altshuller selected the world's most creative inventions, analyzed them and concluded how to eliminate contradictions. He discovered that there exists a few hundred inventive principles, that were used at 1,5 million different patents and if the inventors had adequate knowledge on inventive principles, the discoveries would be made faster.

TRIZ is a problem solving method that includes:
• inventive principles,
• table for contradiction elimination,
• standard solutions for inventive problem,
• algorithm for inventive problem solving.

1 Overview of TRIZ' recognition of technology

As described above, on the basis of the analysis of a huge number of patents, TRIZ has established new views of the whole system of technology as follows:

Technology oriented: Oriented neither towards abstractness of academic science/technology nor towards concreteness of industrial technologies, but oriented towards both abstractness and concreteness as a new approach to technology. This has created a new stance for abstractness necessary for industry.

Laws and trends of evolution of technical systems: Established from the analysis of history of evolution of technical systems. The law of evolution of technical systems towards the increase of ideality was revealed, where the ideality is defined qualitatively by "principal function / (mass + size + energy)".

A hierarchical search system from target functions to technical means: Science and technology usually state their findings in the scheme of "experimental conditions ==> (natural laws) ==> resultant effects". On the other hand, technology applications want to find appropriate means for realizing the target functions. Since this requirement has the direction opposite to the statements of laws in science and technology, the search is often very difficult.
TRIZ has developed a hierarchical representation system for the technological functional targets, analyzed and accumulated known means for realizing such functional targets, and thus established a knowledge base stated in the format of "target function ==> technological means".

"Principles of Invention": 40 principles of invention were established. They include 40 principles, such as "division", "separation", "local properties", etc., and many of the principles have two, three sub-principles. Multiple examples of application for each principle are also accumulated for illustration.

2 Overview of TRIZ' methodology for problem solving

The original purpose of TRIZ development was to establish a methodology for creative problem solving. On the basis of the recognition of technology stated above, TRIZ has succeeded in establishing a new system of methodology which has much exceeded the level of "know-how to invent".

The basic model for problem solving in TRIZ is illustrated in the following figure 1.

Fig.1. Basic model for problem solving in TRIZ

Trying to solve our own problems individually and concretely is rather difficult and often guides us to trial-and-errors. Thus, it is advised to utilize a collection of models (or templates) of problem solving, which were studied and accumulated beforehand. We first try to make our problem abstract into the problem in an appropriate model. Then the known solutions of the model are applied to our case to find some appropriate concrete solutions to our own problem.

TRIZ has established a form of representing the essence of problems, i.e., technical contradictions, and provided a table of useful hints to solutions. Technical contradictions are the cases where if we try to improve an aspect (or a parameter) of the system, some other aspect becomes intolerably worse. In order to represent the situations of technical contradictions, TRIZ has selected 39 parameters of systems and has provided a problem matrix of size 39 x 39. Then, by surveying a huge number of patents, each patent was analyzed to find which type (among 39 x 39) of technical contradiction it treated and which principle of invention (among 40) it used in its solution. Accumulation of this analysis has revealed which principles were most used in each of the 39 x 39 types of problems. The top 4 principles in each type of problem were recorded in a tabular form of 39 x 39 elements; the resultant table is called "Altshuller's Contradiction Matrix". This is an incredible research achievement established in TRIZ.
For using this matrix, one has to think of which matrix element his/her problem should be assigned to and then has to consider about the four principles of inventions suggested by the matrix as the hints, so as to realize them into a solution to his/her own problem. For using these hints, capability of flexible thinking is needed.

TRIZ has defined the concept of "Physical Contradictions" and revealed the "Separation Principles" to solve such contradictions. Physical Contradictions are the cases where two mutually-opposite requirements to one aspect of a technical system need to be fulfilled at the same time. Situations like this are contradictory and absolutely impossible to solve, in our ordinary sense. On the contrary, however, TRIZ advises to reformulate the problems into the form of Physical Contradictions and then has demonstrated that they can readily be solved with "Separation Principles". By closer analysis of the apparently-opposite, simultaneous requirements, those requirements may be found separable in time, in space, or in some other conditions. Then under such separate conditions, the system may simply satisfy the opposite conditions separately. This method is called Separation Principles.

TRIZ has developed a problem-solving procedure where we first analyze the problems to formulate a Technical Contradiction, then reformulate it with several steps into a Physical Contradiction, and finally solve it with Separation Principles. This procedure is called ARIZ (Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving).

A functional analysis method, named "Substance-Field Analysis" has been developed. And then useful solutions for various cases of the Substance-Field Model have been accumulated and concentrated into "76 Inventive Standard Solutions ."

3 The principal TRIZ tools

• Contradictions
• Trends of Evolution
• Ideality
• Overcoming Psychological Inertia
• Function Analysis for problem understanding
• TRIZ Standard Solutions
• Knowledge Management
• Patent Strengthening

These tools are simple and powerful and use the distillation of the TRIZ research which categorised solution triggers in the Contradiction Matrix, the 40 Principles, the Trends of Evolution, the Standard Solutions, and the 2,500 effects and Resources.

Contradictions
Most designs contain contradictions which are either solved (the TRIZ way) or compromised (more usually). TRIZ shows you how to uncover the contradictions and conflicts in a design, and then apply the 40 Inventive Principles. These provide powerful solution triggers.
The TRIZ philosophy is to accept no compromise, eliminate trade-offs and overcome (not fudge) contradictions.

Trends of evolution
TRIZ research showed that all industries and products follow similar S-Curves, and uncovered families of S-Curves. TRIZ shows you how to draw the S-Curve for your product, how to identify where you are on that curve and predict subsequent S-Curves. TRIZ therefore offers highly accurate technology forecasting - i.e., given any functional performance requirement it predicts in detail the entire range of next-generation designs which will satisfy the function.

Ideality
TRIZ makes you approach your problem by thinking about solutions not problems. This is done by asking what would be an Ideal Solution to your problem (called the Ideal Final Result in TRIZ speak). Ideality is reached by increasing the benefits of your system while simultaneously reducing both the disadvantages and cost. Part of achieving the ideal is using all the resources available to you, using very inexpensive resources, and turning anything harmful in the system into something useful. It may sound wacky and impractical but it often provides very real, very cost-effective, and very powerful solutions.

Overcoming psychological inertia
TRIZ teaches you to approach problems in a new way, use knowledge previously unknown to you, and become creative and innovative in problem solving. To do this you must open your mind, and TRIZ has identified the approaches and methods often adopted by very creative people, and shows you how to use these effectively. These include an understanding and effective use of the language of problem solving, putting everything in the right context - learning to think in TIME and SPACE, using 'Smart Little People' and the SIZE-TIME-COST operators. All these tools can be shown to have been used (subconsciously) in most of the famous scientific ‘breakthroughs’ (Eureka moments) known to man.

Function analysis for problem understanding
TRIZ operates on the basis that nearly all problems have been solved before. How to take your problem and map it onto a generic problem in order to find the world’s solutions to your problem sometimes involves a rigorous approach.
One possible approach is by using TRIZ Function Analysis, which maps all the interactions (good and bad) between system components, thereby identifying problem areas within the system.

TRIZ standard solutions
Once problems have been identified they can then be directly addressed using the Standard Solutions, a compilation of all known ways of dealing with harmful, excessive and insufficient (or absent) interactions. These are solution triggers which help you find powerful but often simple solutions to your problem.

Knowledge management
TRIZ guides you to the engineering and scientific theories (called effects in TRIZ speak) that were used to solve any problem in patents. TRIZ categorises these by design function and gives relevant examples (e.g. Move Liquid is the design function you would access if trying to solve the problem of drying something). TRIZ teaches you how to use this knowledge by describing your problem in its simplest form as SUBJECT - ACTION – OBJECT (e.g. Osmosis - moves - Water. In the TRIZ database osmosis is one possible solution out of 44 ways to move a liquid).

Patent strengthening
TRIZ is a process that empowers and helps engineers and scientists find solutions to problems in a way that is faster, smarter, and more cost effective than traditional Western methods. By understanding - through TRIZ - the essential functionality of a problem solution many traditional patents can be designed around.
Conversely, the power of TRIZ can be harnessed to write stronger intellectual property, that is less easy for competitors to get around. Our Patent Strengthening course is for companies wishing to apply the TRIZ approach to protect their own intellectual property, easily use useful elements of their competitors’ patents without cost, and predict new products and strategically patent accordingly.

4 Innovation principles in practice

1. principle: segmentation

Divide the observable object to basic parts. These can be repeatedly assembled and taken apart.

Fig.2. Example for SMART vehicle

SMART vehicle is a good example of a product, designed for simple re-assembly:

• The product can easily be re-assembled to the basic modules
Each element is made of only one material, fixing is mechanical.
• The vehicle can be easily modified (example: for the second owner); repair, maintaining and upgrade possibilities are optimised.

In case of electronic products this means reduced use of glue and screws, and for example increased use of “hooks”:
Electronic manufacturers search for active re-assembly techniques. Through the use of components made from intelligent materials, the product could self re-assemble on the end of its life cycle.

CLASS	A
PHASE	Idea Generation
APPLICATION FIELDS	Business strategy, new product and service development, business process reengineering.
ASSUMPTIONS	This technique needs no previous skill.
PROS	• TRIZ presents a structured approach to problem solving. • Applicable to a wide spectrum of problems. • It is based on scientific inquiry. • Systematic process that leads to optimal solution. • It considers the cost of the solution. • Different methods of creative thinking could be used in context of TRIZ • Computer software is available.
CONS	• The technique is highly complex. • Requires high level of pre-knowledge. • To learn the technique is very time-consuming. • Available software is expensive.
DESCRIPTION	TRIZ originats from the former Soviet Union, now becoming more and more popular in the United States and other western countries, mostly in technological intensive companies. Its author Genrich S. Altshuller discovered that the most pretentious problems in principal include contradicted demands (contradiction). He discovered that most solutions resort to compromises, where the improvement of one parameter is achieved at the costs of deterioration of another parameter. The result of such a solution is that the system doesn’t optimally fulfill at least one of the functions. The right solution (conceptual breakthrough) would enable to eliminate contradiction without compromises. Altshuller selected the world's most creative inventions, analyzed them and concluded how to eliminate contradictions. He discovered that there exists a few hundred inventive principles, that were used at 1,5 million different patents and if the inventors had adequate knowledge on inventive principles, the discoveries would be made faster. TRIZ is a problem solving method that includes: • inventive principles, • table for contradiction elimination, • standard solutions for inventive problem, • algorithm for inventive problem solving. 1 Overview of TRIZ' recognition of technology As described above, on the basis of the analysis of a huge number of patents, TRIZ has established new views of the whole system of technology as follows: Technology oriented: Oriented neither towards abstractness of academic science/technology nor towards concreteness of industrial technologies, but oriented towards both abstractness and concreteness as a new approach to technology. This has created a new stance for abstractness necessary for industry. Laws and trends of evolution of technical systems: Established from the analysis of history of evolution of technical systems. The law of evolution of technical systems towards the increase of ideality was revealed, where the ideality is defined qualitatively by "principal function / (mass + size + energy)". A hierarchical search system from target functions to technical means: Science and technology usually state their findings in the scheme of "experimental conditions ==> (natural laws) ==> resultant effects". On the other hand, technology applications want to find appropriate means for realizing the target functions. Since this requirement has the direction opposite to the statements of laws in science and technology, the search is often very difficult. TRIZ has developed a hierarchical representation system for the technological functional targets, analyzed and accumulated known means for realizing such functional targets, and thus established a knowledge base stated in the format of "target function ==> technological means". "Principles of Invention": 40 principles of invention were established. They include 40 principles, such as "division", "separation", "local properties", etc., and many of the principles have two, three sub-principles. Multiple examples of application for each principle are also accumulated for illustration. 2 Overview of TRIZ' methodology for problem solving The original purpose of TRIZ development was to establish a methodology for creative problem solving. On the basis of the recognition of technology stated above, TRIZ has succeeded in establishing a new system of methodology which has much exceeded the level of "know-how to invent". The basic model for problem solving in TRIZ is illustrated in the following figure 1. Fig.1. Basic model for problem solving in TRIZ Trying to solve our own problems individually and concretely is rather difficult and often guides us to trial-and-errors. Thus, it is advised to utilize a collection of models (or templates) of problem solving, which were studied and accumulated beforehand. We first try to make our problem abstract into the problem in an appropriate model. Then the known solutions of the model are applied to our case to find some appropriate concrete solutions to our own problem. TRIZ has established a form of representing the essence of problems, i.e., technical contradictions, and provided a table of useful hints to solutions. Technical contradictions are the cases where if we try to improve an aspect (or a parameter) of the system, some other aspect becomes intolerably worse. In order to represent the situations of technical contradictions, TRIZ has selected 39 parameters of systems and has provided a problem matrix of size 39 x 39. Then, by surveying a huge number of patents, each patent was analyzed to find which type (among 39 x 39) of technical contradiction it treated and which principle of invention (among 40) it used in its solution. Accumulation of this analysis has revealed which principles were most used in each of the 39 x 39 types of problems. The top 4 principles in each type of problem were recorded in a tabular form of 39 x 39 elements; the resultant table is called "Altshuller's Contradiction Matrix". This is an incredible research achievement established in TRIZ. For using this matrix, one has to think of which matrix element his/her problem should be assigned to and then has to consider about the four principles of inventions suggested by the matrix as the hints, so as to realize them into a solution to his/her own problem. For using these hints, capability of flexible thinking is needed. TRIZ has defined the concept of "Physical Contradictions" and revealed the "Separation Principles" to solve such contradictions. Physical Contradictions are the cases where two mutually-opposite requirements to one aspect of a technical system need to be fulfilled at the same time. Situations like this are contradictory and absolutely impossible to solve, in our ordinary sense. On the contrary, however, TRIZ advises to reformulate the problems into the form of Physical Contradictions and then has demonstrated that they can readily be solved with "Separation Principles". By closer analysis of the apparently-opposite, simultaneous requirements, those requirements may be found separable in time, in space, or in some other conditions. Then under such separate conditions, the system may simply satisfy the opposite conditions separately. This method is called Separation Principles. TRIZ has developed a problem-solving procedure where we first analyze the problems to formulate a Technical Contradiction, then reformulate it with several steps into a Physical Contradiction, and finally solve it with Separation Principles. This procedure is called ARIZ (Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving). A functional analysis method, named "Substance-Field Analysis" has been developed. And then useful solutions for various cases of the Substance-Field Model have been accumulated and concentrated into "76 Inventive Standard Solutions ." 3 The principal TRIZ tools • Contradictions • Trends of Evolution • Ideality • Overcoming Psychological Inertia • Function Analysis for problem understanding • TRIZ Standard Solutions • Knowledge Management • Patent Strengthening These tools are simple and powerful and use the distillation of the TRIZ research which categorised solution triggers in the Contradiction Matrix, the 40 Principles, the Trends of Evolution, the Standard Solutions, and the 2,500 effects and Resources. Contradictions Most designs contain contradictions which are either solved (the TRIZ way) or compromised (more usually). TRIZ shows you how to uncover the contradictions and conflicts in a design, and then apply the 40 Inventive Principles. These provide powerful solution triggers. The TRIZ philosophy is to accept no compromise, eliminate trade-offs and overcome (not fudge) contradictions. Trends of evolution TRIZ research showed that all industries and products follow similar S-Curves, and uncovered families of S-Curves. TRIZ shows you how to draw the S-Curve for your product, how to identify where you are on that curve and predict subsequent S-Curves. TRIZ therefore offers highly accurate technology forecasting - i.e., given any functional performance requirement it predicts in detail the entire range of next-generation designs which will satisfy the function. Ideality TRIZ makes you approach your problem by thinking about solutions not problems. This is done by asking what would be an Ideal Solution to your problem (called the Ideal Final Result in TRIZ speak). Ideality is reached by increasing the benefits of your system while simultaneously reducing both the disadvantages and cost. Part of achieving the ideal is using all the resources available to you, using very inexpensive resources, and turning anything harmful in the system into something useful. It may sound wacky and impractical but it often provides very real, very cost-effective, and very powerful solutions. Overcoming psychological inertia TRIZ teaches you to approach problems in a new way, use knowledge previously unknown to you, and become creative and innovative in problem solving. To do this you must open your mind, and TRIZ has identified the approaches and methods often adopted by very creative people, and shows you how to use these effectively. These include an understanding and effective use of the language of problem solving, putting everything in the right context - learning to think in TIME and SPACE, using 'Smart Little People' and the SIZE-TIME-COST operators. All these tools can be shown to have been used (subconsciously) in most of the famous scientific ‘breakthroughs’ (Eureka moments) known to man. Function analysis for problem understanding TRIZ operates on the basis that nearly all problems have been solved before. How to take your problem and map it onto a generic problem in order to find the world’s solutions to your problem sometimes involves a rigorous approach. One possible approach is by using TRIZ Function Analysis, which maps all the interactions (good and bad) between system components, thereby identifying problem areas within the system. TRIZ standard solutions Once problems have been identified they can then be directly addressed using the Standard Solutions, a compilation of all known ways of dealing with harmful, excessive and insufficient (or absent) interactions. These are solution triggers which help you find powerful but often simple solutions to your problem. Knowledge management TRIZ guides you to the engineering and scientific theories (called effects in TRIZ speak) that were used to solve any problem in patents. TRIZ categorises these by design function and gives relevant examples (e.g. Move Liquid is the design function you would access if trying to solve the problem of drying something). TRIZ teaches you how to use this knowledge by describing your problem in its simplest form as SUBJECT - ACTION – OBJECT (e.g. Osmosis - moves - Water. In the TRIZ database osmosis is one possible solution out of 44 ways to move a liquid). Patent strengthening TRIZ is a process that empowers and helps engineers and scientists find solutions to problems in a way that is faster, smarter, and more cost effective than traditional Western methods. By understanding - through TRIZ - the essential functionality of a problem solution many traditional patents can be designed around. Conversely, the power of TRIZ can be harnessed to write stronger intellectual property, that is less easy for competitors to get around. Our Patent Strengthening course is for companies wishing to apply the TRIZ approach to protect their own intellectual property, easily use useful elements of their competitors’ patents without cost, and predict new products and strategically patent accordingly. 4 Innovation principles in practice 1. principle: segmentation Divide the observable object to basic parts. These can be repeatedly assembled and taken apart. Fig.2. Example for SMART vehicle SMART vehicle is a good example of a product, designed for simple re-assembly: • The product can easily be re-assembled to the basic modules Each element is made of only one material, fixing is mechanical. • The vehicle can be easily modified (example: for the second owner); repair, maintaining and upgrade possibilities are optimised. In case of electronic products this means reduced use of glue and screws, and for example increased use of “hooks”: Electronic manufacturers search for active re-assembly techniques. Through the use of components made from intelligent materials, the product could self re-assemble on the end of its life cycle.
CORRELATE TECHNIQUE	FMEA QFD DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS
REFERENCES	Altshuller G. S., Creativity as an Exact Science - The Theory of the Solution of Inventive Problems, New York, 1984. Altshuller G. S., Zlotin B. L., Zusman, A. V., Filantov, V. I., Searching for New Ideas: From Insight to Methodology, Kishnev, 1989. Kaplan S., An Introduction to TRIZ: the Russian Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, Ideation International Inc., Southfield, MI, 1996. Terninko J., Systemativ Innovation: Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ/TIPS), Responsible Management Inc., Nottingham, NH, 1996. Terninko J., Introduction to TRIZ: A Work Book, Responsible Management Inc., Nottingham, NH, 1996. www.triz-journal.com/whatistriz.htm [27.10.2004]