Better Alternatives Through TRIZ (TREZ)

byJimWixson CVS, CMfgE

Advisory Engineer

Introduction

Improve inventive skills

Improve the development of alternatives for trade-studies.

Lead to better designs and solutions to complex problems.

TRIZ Methodology and its innovation software-based system are tools which can:

Patterns of Invention

Genrich Saulovich Altshuller

Father of TRIZ15 October 1926 - 24 September 1998

Patterns of Invention

Altshuller recognized that the same fundamental problem (contradiction) had been addressed by a number of inventions in different areas of technology

He also observed that the same fundamental solutions were used over and over again, often separated by many years

He reasoned that if the latter inventor had known of the earlier solution, his/her task would have been straightforward

He sought to extract, compile, and organize this information

Patterns of Invention

Removing stems from bell peppers Removing shells from sunflower seeds Cleaning filters Unpacking parts wrapped in protective

paper Splitting diamonds along micro-cracks Producing sugar powder from sugar

crystals

How Ideation/TRIZ Works

123

56789

n

4

123456789

n

CorrespondingSolutions

ManyTypical

Problems

ManyTypical

Recommendationsfor

Solutions(Knowledge base)

A large number of typical problems are available for consideration

TRIZ helps narrow the search to a manageable range of typical problems

For each typical problem, there are one or more potential solutions

Prismof TRIZ -Analytical

tools

What is TRIZ? Russian Acronym for the Theory of Inventive

Problem Solving Systematic, Structured Way of Thinking Science Results of Over 50 Years Research Analyzing

Over Two Million Worldwide Patents within All Engineering Disciplines

Why TRIZ was created: To provide a systematic step-by-step procedure To guide an inventor through the solution space

and direct him or her to the area with the best (most ideal) solutions

To provide an inventor with reliable and repeatable results that do not depend on personal (psychological) issues

To provide a means to access proven knowledge (patent information)

To accumulate knowledge of the human innovation experience

Evolution of the TRIZ Methodology

Advanced Software Tools

Met

hodo

logy

Adv

ance

men

t

1946 1982 1985 1992 1997 2002

Kishinev Era

Classical TRIZ Era40 Principles

Patterns ofEvolution

ARIZ-85AFD

DirectedEvolution

Advanced Tools

Re-Structuring of Theoretical Base

12

3

4

3

2

3

Non-TechnologicalApplications

Ideation/TRIZ Era

Evolution of Creative Methods

“Miles’ Direction”

Re-structuring of existing knowledge for

effective application of the creative process

“Altshuller’s Direction” Utilization of patterns of evolution and methods

of generating ideas based on these patterns

Ideation/TRIZ Methodology

Combination of all effective

approaches to creative problem

solving and control

of technological evolution

“Osborn’s Direction”Decreasing of psychological inertia, activation of human motivation, organization of effective teamwork

The Ideation/TRIZ Methodology:Roots and Components

Morphology MethodPsychology-Based Methods

Kishinev School DevelopmentClassical TRIZ

Value EngineeringBrainstorming

Fish-bone Diagramming

Accumulated knowledge

documented in patents

and other sourcesof technological

information

Ideation/TRIZMethodology

Data Mining

Re-Engineering

Business Process

Improvement

IntegrationofIdeation/TRIZ

QFD DFMA VA/VETaguchi MethodsFMEA & HAZOP Lateral Thinking Total Quality Management Theory of Constraints Brainstorming Other Techniques

Ideation/TRIZ• IPS• AFD• DE

Development of Human Resources

$Value

PS olution

roblemConcept 1

Concept 2

Concept 3

Concept N-1

Concept N

PsychologicalInertia Vector

How We Solve Creative Problems Using the Trial & Error Method

The Solution Space

MechanicalEffects &

Technology

Electrical &Magnetic Effects

& Technology

Chemical Effects& Technology

Thermo-Dynamics

P roblem

S olution

200,000

40,000

Key Findings•Definition of inventive problem•Levels of invention•Patterns of evolution•Patterns of invention

Patents *(worldwide)

* Today over 2,000,000 patents have been investigated.

TRIZ is Based on TechnologyRather than Psychology

Two Main Benefits

Enhancement of personal creative capabilities

Professionally apply numerous tools (including software tools) to obtain repetitive, reliable creative results in everyday engineering procedures

What is an Inventive Problem?

Involves one or more contradictions

Suggests no known means of solution

Levels of Solutions

Level 1: Apparent (no invention)Established solutions; well-known and readily accessible

Level 2: ImprovementSmall improvements of an existing system, usually with some compromise

Bifocal glasses, beeper

Level 3: Invention inside the paradigmEssential improvement of an existing system

Automatic transmission, radio telephone

Level 4: Invention outside the paradigmA concept for a new generation of an existing system, based on changing the principle of performing the primary function

Jet aircraft, integrated circuit

Level 5: DiscoveryPioneering of an essentially new system

Laser, radio, airplane

To Opportunity occurs

TP Opportunity is perceived

Tb Project activity beginsTf Product definition and plans freeze

Tr Product is released to production

Ts First customers are satisfied

BET Break-even timeTe Project becomes extinct

From Accelerated Innovation by Marvin Patterson

To TP

Tb TfCas

h flo

w

Tr

Ts BET Te

Time

NetProfitPeriod

Innovation cycle time

Importance of Innovation Cycle

How this relates M&O Contracts

From Accelerated Innovation by Marvin Patterson

Ts Turn project over to customer

M&O Operation and Maintenance time

Te Project becomes extinct (D&D)

Tf Project is released to construction

Tf Product definition and plans freeze

To Opportunity occurs

TP Opportunity is perceived

Tb Systems Engineering begins

Tb’ Trade Studies Conducted

To TP

Tb TfCas

h flo

w

Tr

Ts M&O Te

Time

OperatingPeriod

Innovation cycle time

Tb’

Innovation

Not just one simple flash of creative invention or the development of a new product or process

It is a connected process which many and sufficient creative acts,

from research through service, are coupled together, in an integrated manner, for a common goal

Roadblocks to Innovation

Historical MindsetNeed for Instant Answers (Point Solutions)

An Impatient WorldResistance to ChangeChange is Threatening

Poorly Defined Problem Or Objective‘Not Invented Here’ Syndrome

HabitsPast Experiences

Inability to Accept RiskPeer Influences

Rejection of Past Ideas

When would TRIZ be used?Information

PhaseInformation

Phase

Creativity Phase

Creativity Phase

Evaluation Phase

Evaluation Phase

Planning PhasePlanning Phase

Reporting Phase

Reporting Phase

Implementation Phase

Implementation Phase

Clearly identify the problem(s) to be solved, and gather information on the background, functions and requirements of the product, process, or system.

Brainstorm ideas on how to improve the broken, high cost, or inadequately performed key functions.

Screen ideas for acceptance, score remaining ideas on a scale and group ideas into categories. Develop design scenarios, and selection criteria. Rate and rank ideas.

Plan how to sell ideas to management, identify key recommendations, plan management presentation.

Give oral presentation to management, or develop written report.

Get management approval for go-ahead, make management plan, make assignments, implement, follow-up.

Tapping Our Knowledge

SOCIETY

INDUSTRY

IPT

PERSONAL

1

2

3

4

5

All That

Is Knowable

What is a Problem? Things are not ideal -- dilemmas, questions,

uncertainty, doubt A deviation from a (perceived) goal

Problems create high uncertainty

DecisionMaking

DecisionMaking

(in the box)

Observations(Current State)

Deviations(Problem)

References (Goal / Ideal State)

Thinking Outside the Box:Creating Breakthroughs

Space

Time

We Know something is impossible only through a certain interpretation or belief

system.

Impossibility

Event BeliefSystem

Roadblocks to Problem Solving

Not having crystal clear visionNot having the required capabilities and toolsNot having the drive/commitment to execute the plan toward the visionConstraints, conflicts, contradictions, paradoxes

Regulatory RequirementsCustomer DesiresTechnology trendsFunding Availability -- Internal and externalOrganizational behavior -- Internal and external

Organizational passive supportRelationship behavior… not clear on expectations

ProcessesCompensation

Problem Solving & The Mind

We feel the solutionis good enough (Point Solution)

We are facedwith a new problem

We decide theproblem is impossible

Activation

De-Activation

ProblemCreates

Necessity

What is a Solution?

AnswerDiscoveryResolutionConclusion (we’ve reached the ideal state)End result winning strategiesUncertainty, doubt confidence -- the winner’s edge

Ideation/TRIZ provides tools to enable the visualization of solutions in a predictable manner

Stage 1 - a system does not yet exist but important conditions for emergence are being developed

Stage 2 - a new system appears due to a high-level invention and begins slow development

Stage 3 - begins when society recognizes the value of the new system

Stage 4 - begins when the resources of the system’s original concept is mostly exhausted

Stage 5 - begins when a new system or next system generation emerges to replace the existing one

Stage 6 - begins if the existing system is not completely replaced by the new one as the existing system still has a limited area of application

System EvolutionS

yste

m C

hara

cter

isti

c

Time

12

3

4

56

The Challenge

Probabilityof ProblemResolution

Time andResourcesNeeded

DiscoveryStandardProblem

1 2 3 4 5

1946 - 1985

Basic Tools

SystemApproach

Paradox/Contradiction

IdealSystem

•ARIZ•Su-Field•76 Standard Solutions•40 Principles•4 Separation Principles•Effects:(phys, chem,geo)•8 Patterns•Examples of Innovation

Classical TRIZ

•Increased performance•Get rid of system’s harmful effects

•Gains received without compromise or tradeoff

•All mankind knowledge•Past, present & future

Ideation TRIZ Methodology

1982 - Present

Analytical Tools

Advanced ARIZSu-FieldInnovation SituationQuestionnaire

Problem Formulator

Knowledge-Based Tools

System ofOperators

76 Standard Solutions

40 Principles4 Separation Principles

Effects:(Phys,chem,geo,etc.)8 Patterns of EvolutionExamples of Innovation

Additional Operators

IDEATORIDEATOR

IMPROVERIMPROVER

ELIMINATORELIMINATOR

IWBIWBTRIZ SoftTM

Certification

AFDAFD

FormulatorFormulator

Re-Activation With Ideation/TRIZ

Solution isgood enough

We are facedwith a new problem

We decide theproblem is impossible

Activation

Ideality

Confidence

Knowledge-BaseReformulationAsk Why?

ProblemCreates

Necessity

Why is the Ideation Process Different?

Start Time Dead Time

An ExhaustiveSet of Possible

Concepts of Solution

ConfidentDecision Point

ForcedDecision Point

Number ofSolutions

forReliable Choice

ConsideredSolutions

Time

Key Findings– Definition of the Inventive Problem– Levels of Inventions– Patterns of Inventions– Patterns of Evolution

Advanced Analytical Tools– Innovation Situation Questionnaire (ISQ)– Problem Formulator– Algorithm for Inventive Problem-Solving (ARIZ)– Substance-Field Analysis (Su-Field)

Main Ideation / TRIZ Methodology Applications

– Inventive Problem Solving (IPS)– Anticipatory Failure Determination (AFD)– Directed Evolution (DE)

Main Premises– Ideality– Contradictions– System Approach

Advanced Knowledge-Based Tools– Pattern/Lines of Evolution– 40 Innovation Principles & Contradiction

Table– Separation Principles– 76 Standard Solutions– Effects– System of Operators– Selected Innovation Examples

Summary Of The Ideation / TRIZ Methodology

Basic Premise

What is it, that is impossible to do today, that if it were possible, would drive the competition to zero. Joel Barker, Futurist

Whatever it was that got youwhere you are today,

is not sufficient to keep you there.

Identify & Meet the Challenge

Implementation - First Steps Assess enterprise’s situation and Ideation

capabilities– Define mismatches between vision and results– Identify opportunities for applying Inventive

Engineering • Select and resolve 3-4 high-profile problems that can be

implemented quickly

Initiate institutionalization– Communicate Successes– Identify integration opportunities– Plan education of key employees– Develop internal experts