Level

Theory of Inventive Problem Solving Training

Manual

All innovations emerge from the application of a very small number of inventive principles and strategies.
 Level
Theory of Inventive Problem Solving Training
Manual

All innovations emerge from the application of a very small number of inventive principles and strategies.
© 2020 by Inno Planet Sdn. Bhd.

All Rights Reserved

No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

Prepared by
Inno Planet Sdn. Bhd. in line with Malaysia TRIZ Innovation Association and
International TRIZ Association knowledge standard.
 TRIZ Level 1 Agenda – Day 1
Time Agenda Owner
0900 – 0930 Registration All
0930 – 0945 Welcome and Introduction
0945 – 1015 What is TRIZ & history Instructor
1015 – 1045 Break All
1045 – 1115 Basic Concepts of TRIZ Instructor
1115 – 1200 Function Analysis, Ideality Instructor
1200 – 1300 Structured Problem Solving Process Instructor
1300 – 1400 Lunch All
1400 – 1430 Cause & Effect Chain Analysis Instructor
1430 – 1500 Trimming Instructor
1500 – 1530 Break All
1530 – 1630 S-Curve Analysis Instructor
1630 – 1645 Exercise – Report out/Sharing All
1645 – 1700 Summary/Key Learning/Wrap-up Day 1 Instructor
© Inno Planet

TRIZ Level 1 Agenda – Day 2

Time Agenda Owner
0900 – 0915 Recap Day 1 Learning Instructor
0915 – 0945 TRIZ references, Engineering Instructor
Contradiction
0945 – 1015 Contradiction Matrix, System Parameters, Instructor
Inventive Principles
1015 – 1045 Break All
1045 – 1300 Contradiction Matrix, System Parameters, Instructor
Inventive Principles
1300 – 1400 Lunch All
1400 – 1430 Trends of Engineering System Evolution Instructor
1430 – 1530 Certification Test All
1530 – 1600 Break All
1600 – 1630 Exercise - Report out/Sharing All
1630 – 1700 Summary & Wrap Up Instructor
© Inno Planet

1
 Typical Innovation Process

Problem Innovation Solution

process

© Inno Planet

Universal Industrial Success Curve

Greg Stevens and James Burley, 3,000 Raw Ideas = 1 Commercial Success,
Research Technology Management, 40(3), May-June 1997, 16-27.

© Inno Planet

2
 What is TRIZ?
• TRIZ is the Russian acronym for the
“Theory of Inventive Problem Solving”
• It is a systematic problem solving
method based on logic and data, not
intuition or spontaneous creativity of
individuals or groups
• Developed by Genrich Altshuller and his
colleagues from 1946 through to 1985 in the
former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
• It is based on the study of patterns of problems
and solutions
• TRIZ provides repeatability, predictability, and
reliability due to its structure and algorithmic
approach
• It improves individual’s or team’s ability to solve
problems
© Inno Planet

Key Discoveries
Initial analysis of 1 Problems and solutions
were repeated across
patents (worldwide)
200,000 industries & sciences  40
Inventive Principles for
Synthesized
solving Problems
down to just
innovative 40,000
Are
mined
2 Patterns of technical
evolution were repeated
patents for… across industries &
sciences  Technology
Trends to evolve a technical
system to the next
generation
* Today >2.8M patents have been analyzed & investigated
3 Innovations used scientific
effects outside the field from
TRIZ is a family of principles and where the original problem
strategies enabling engineers to was found  Scientific
identify potential solution paths of Effects can be used to solve
technical problems problems in unique ways
© Inno Planet

3
 TRIZ Hypothesis

Someone somewhere
has already solved
this problem or one
very similar to it

Creativity is now
finding that solution
and adapting it to this
particular problem

© Inno Planet

Problems and solutions were repeated across

industries and sciences
How would you remove the core
from a bell pepper?

How would you remove the core from millions of bell peppers?
1 Processing peppers 2 Force air 3 Sudden release 4 Core separate

Air

1945 – Patent for processing bell peppers

Force air inside of the bell peppers, suddenly reduce the pressure,
seeds and stems separate from bell pepper body

Generic solution: Slowly raise pressure and suddenly reduce it

© Inno Planet

4
 Problems and solutions were repeated across
industries and sciences
How would you remove the shell
from cedar nuts?

How would you remove the shells from millions of cedar nuts?
1 Processing 2 Force 3 Sudden release 4 Shell separate
cedar nuts Water

Water

1950 – Patent for removing the shell of cedar nuts

Under high pressure, water is forced inside the cedar nuts shells.
When the pressure is suddenly reduced, the shells break away

Generic solution: Slowly raise pressure and suddenly reduce it

© Inno Planet

Problems and solutions were repeated across

industries and sciences
… and 27 years later

How would you break an artificial diamond?

1972 – Patent for breaking artificial diamonds
Diamonds are placed into a pressure chamber, high pressure
forces air into micro fractures, releasing the pressure suddenly
breaks the diamonds into crystals

The same solution principle was applied

1945 1950 1972

© Inno Planet

5
 Problems and solutions were repeated across
industries and sciences
Do you see the pattern?

Pattern: Raise the pressure slowly then suddenly release it

•
1945 Removing core from bell peppers

• Removing shells from sunflower seeds

•
1950 Removing shells from cedar nuts
• Cleaning filters

• Unpacking parts wrapped in protective paper

•
1972 Splitting diamonds along micro-cracks

• Producing sugar powder from sugar crystals

• Explosive paper depulping

Creativity is now finding that solution and adapting it to the particular problem
© Inno Planet

© Inno Planet

6
 TRIZ Proliferation

© Inno Planet

Why TRIZ?
Trial and error Structured and
problem solving systematic
approach problem solving
approach
Increase efficiency and speed of innovation

Thomas Alva Edison (1847 – 1931)

“Genius is one percent inspiration,
ninety-nine percent perspiration”
In 1879, after spending $40,000, and performing 1,200
experiments with 5,000 researchers, Edison succeeded in
making a light bulb using carbonized filaments from cotton
thread. The light bulb burned for two days. The electric
light took the greatest amount of time and required the
most complicated experiments of all his experiments.
© Inno Planet

7
 Ways to solve a Problem

Trial and error way

Problem Solution

Structured ways
Brainstorming
Trigger Approach
Solution
Checklist
Morphological Approach

TRIZ way
Function Analysis, Cause
& Effect Chain Analysis, Solution
Trimming, S-curve, etc.

TRIZ provides very structured methodologies through various tools

© Inno Planet
which accelerate time to problem solve and solution innovation

Limitation of usual problem solving methods

• Psychological inertia
• Lack of knowledge
• Wrong objective or goal
• Avoid conflict or contradiction
• Do not know actual root cause
Solution
Variants
Thermo- Mechanical
dynamics Effects
Variants Effects
Variants
Lack of
Concept
Knowledge Problem
Psychological Concept Chemical Electrical
Concept Inertia
Effects and
Magnetic
Solution
Problem Effects
© Inno Planet

8
 How does TRIZ work?
Innovative solutions to difficult problems could be
found not by probing the nooks and crannies of
the right brain but by studying the way others had
already attacked similar problems

General General
Problem Solution

Specific Simplified Specific

No guessing Problem Problem Solution

© Inno Planet

How do we solve problems?

3 4
ax2 + bx + c = 0
Solving To
Generalize Operators Specific
Standard Solution
1 form
2 5
7x2 - 28x = -4 7x2 - 28x + 4 = 0 x1=3.85 x2=0.15

General Tool General

TRIZ Approach Problem Solutions

Model of Model of
Problem Solution
Analysis
Specific Simplified Specific
Problem Problem Solution

© Inno Planet

9
 Setting the stage
Model of problem Tool Model of solution
8x7 Multiplication 56
chart
HCl + NaOH Laws of chemistry NaCl + H20
TRIZ: Engineering Contradiction Inventive Principles
Contradiction matrix
TRIZ: Physical Separation Inventive Principles
Contradiction Satisfaction
Bypass
TRIZ: Substance-Field System of Standard Inventive
model Standard Inventive Solutions
Solutions

© Inno Planet

Structure of TRIZ tools

Original problem to resolve
Toolbox which
Legend
Function Analysis contains root
Identification of Problem cause analysis,
Cause & Effect Chain Analysis
Model of Problem modeling of
Trends of Eng. System Evolution
Solution Generation Tool problem and
Model of Solution solution
Trimming Feature Transfer
generation tools
Psychological Key problem to resolve
Inertia

Engineering Contradiction Physical Contradiction Function Model Substance-Field Model Algorithm

Separation, Satisfaction,
Contradiction Matrix
Bypass
of Inventive
Problem Solving
(ARIZ)
System of Standard
Scientific Effects
Inventive Solutions

Specific Inventive Specific Inventive Specific Scientific Specific Standard (Not exhaustive list)
Principle Principle Effect Inventive Solution

Key solution to implement

© Inno Planet

10
 Basic Concepts of TRIZ
Before we get to the TRIZ tools, let’s look at the 4 basic concepts of TRIZ

IDEALITY CONTRADICTION

SYSTEMS
RESOURCES
APPROACH

© Inno Planet

What is Systems Approach?

An organized, purposeful structure regarded as a 'whole'
consisting of interrelated and interdependent elements
(or components)
A system
These elements (or components) continually influence
one another (directly or indirectly) to maintain their
activity and the existence of the system, in order to
achieve the common purpose (or function) of the system

© Inno Planet

11
 Systems
• Everything that performs a main useful function is a
system e.g. car, pen, book, knife, etc.

• The system components are the elements that are an

integral part of the system design

• The supersystem components contain elements that

influence the system (but were not designed as part of
the system)

• The product is the focal element of the system; primary

reason the system was designed

© Inno Planet

Functionality
• People buy Functions or functionality,
not products

• Understanding Functions and

functionality at the most basic level is
fundamental to the successful
application of TRIZ

• Solutions change, but Functions stay

the same

• Knowledge classification by Function

allows ready access to other’s
solutions
© Inno Planet

12
 What is Contradiction?
Contradiction is the opposition
between two conflicting forces or ideas
Contra = opposing or opposite
Diction = point or speech
Contradiction = opposing point

Living dead Friendly fire

New classic Serious joke
Open secret Deafening silence
Solid water Kalah menang
Glass hammer Hidup mati
Invisible ink

TRIZ definition: The contradiction occurs when

we are trying to improve one parameter of a
system, results in other parameters being
affected negatively
© Inno Planet

Look for Contradictions

• A key characteristic of an inventive problem
• Usual solution – trade-off or compromise
• Eliminating contradictions typically leads to inventions

Speed Petrol Usage

Heat Gas Usage

GOOD BAD GOOD BAD

Car travels faster (good), but petrol Kettle of water boils faster (good),
consumption is higher (bad) but gas usage is higher (bad)

The inventor must find and remove contradictions

© Inno Planet

13
 Types of Contradictions
• Administrative contradiction is an explicit indication of one or more
drawbacks that does not seem to be possible to avoid by known methods
– We want to increase quality of production and decrease cost of raw materials

• Engineering contradiction is the deterioration of one of the important

features of the system caused by improving of another one
– The product gets stronger (good), but the weight increases (bad)
– Service is customized to each customer (good), but the service delivery
system gets complicated (bad)

• Physical contradiction is a coupling of opposite

states to a controlling feature of an object
– Coffee should be hot for enjoyable drinking, but
cold to prevent burning the customer
– Software should be complex (to have many
features), but should be simple (to be easy to
learn)

© Inno Planet

What is Ideality?
• Each system evolves towards its ideal state

• The ideal state of the system is where it has all

the benefits with none of the harm or none of the
costs

• The system is better, faster, low cost, low error,

low maintenance and so on (The ideal system
consists of all positives and no negatives)
Plato (429-347 B.C.) – A Greek
philosopher and great
mathematicians. Thought a lot
• The ideal system is a system that does not
about the natural world and how
it works. He believed that
materially exist, while its functions are achieved
everything had a sort of ideal
form. He and his disciples
(ideal system is no system)
advanced the understanding of
infinity
• In the absolute sense Ideality is impossible to
achieve, but in a relative sense Ideality is
achievable
© Inno Planet

14
 Evolve towards Ideality
Let’s take a look at the basic definition of value:

Fuseful
value = functionality =
cost + harm Fcost + Fharmful

If a system is to operate in an ideal stage, then the system must

have at least 1 main useful function without any cost and
harmfulness

∞
Infinity
1 useful function
value = = = ideality
0 cost + 0 harm

Final result: it has all the benefits and none of the costs and
harmfulness

© Inno Planet

Ways to make a System more Ideal

Increase the amount of
A functions of the system

Transfer as many functions as

B possible to the working
component which produces the
system’s final action

Transfer some functions of the

C system to a supersystem or to
the outside environment

Utilize internal and external

D resources that already exist and
are available

© Inno Planet

15
 What is Resource?
• Every system has resources, some of which are fully used, some
are partially used and some may not be used at all

• Resources are things (including waste), information, energy or

properties of the materials that are already in or near the system

• Using resources, one can solve the problem and evolve towards
the ideal state – the inventor has to evaluate all resources
available in the system

• There may be resources in the system which have not yet been
identified - in many cases, identification of unidentified resources
could solve a problem very nicely

• Resource should be free or low cost and should be easily

available

© Inno Planet

Types of Resources
Substances Energy Time
All substances All kinds of energies All kinds of time
in the system or and fields such as before, during and
in the external electrical, after running of the
environment electromagnetic, system
thermal fields, etc in the
system or in the
external environment

Functional Information Combined

All kinds of data on A combination of prime
All possible functions of
parameters of resources – a new
substance, fields,
substance, fields, resource could emerge
properties or object – can
change of properties through specific
work as great resources
or of object – resource combination
typically used for
measuring, detection
and separation

© Inno Planet

16
 Looking for Resources
What kind of resources are available in an electrical wire?

Normally we will find the following resources: conductor

insulator
• The wire itself
jacket
• Insulation around the wire
• Current in the wire
• Air around the wire
• … and so on

• In TRIZ, we include the geometrical

aspects of the wire such as diameter,
circumference, surface area, surface
roughness, etc.
• The air as a resource is not just air,
but the oxygen, nitrogen, carbon
dioxide and other gases in the air
How many more resources can you think of?
© Inno Planet

TRIZ Tool : Function Analysis

Content
• Understanding function and functionality
• Elements of Function Analysis
– Component Analysis
– Interaction Analysis
– Function Model

Exercise
• Function Analysis Case Study

© Inno Planet

17
 Functionality
• People buy Functions or
functionality, not products

• Understanding Functions and

functionality at the most basic level
is fundamental to the successful
application of TRIZ

• Solutions change, but Functions

stay the same

• Knowledge classification by
Function allows ready access to
other’s solutions

© Inno Planet

Function Analysis

Component Interaction Function

Analysis Analysis Model

Identifies Identifies the Identifies and

Components of interaction evaluates the
the System and between the Functions
its Supersystem Components performed by
the Components

© Inno Planet

18
 Function Analysis
Function
Action - verb
Subject Object
Carrier of Parameters are
the Function changed/maintained
due to action

• Function Analysis is an analytical tool that identifies Functions, their

characteristics, and the cost of the System and the Supersystem
Components
• Subject and Object are both Components in, or interact with, the
System
• A Function is an action between a Subject and an Object, in which the
Subject acts upon and modifies/maintains a parameter of the Object
• A parameter describes some inherent property of a Component

© Inno Planet

Function Analysis
Subject(Tool) Function Object

Hammer hit Nail

Hammer pull Nail

Paper hold
Weight Money

© Inno Planet

19
 Function Language
Function Models use simple language (which a
child can easily understand) to describe functions

hold
Table Book

hold
Table Dog

© Inno Planet

Function Language

remove
Bristle Food

String remove Food

Stick remove Food

© Inno Planet

20
 Avoid Technical Jargon
• Technical language is sometimes difficult
for people to mentally image & it restricts
potential solutions
• Function language enables a bigger
scope of potential solutions
Technical language Function language
Etch Remove
Polish Hold
Distill Move
Encapsulate Stop

© Inno Planet

Main Function: Delivers the System Product

• The Product is what the System was designed to do

or produce and the one that people pay for

• Most Systems contain only one Product

Subject Function Object

System Main Function Product

© Inno Planet

21
 What is the Main Useful Function?
When analyzing a System, firstly, define or decide what
the System is designed to do, or to achieve. Understand
its main useful function

What is the main useful function of the chair?

Holds Person

What is the main useful function of the car?

Moves Driver

© Inno Planet

Exercise: What is the Main Useful Function of the Table?

Table Bottle

© Inno Planet

22
 Exercise: What is the Main Useful Function of the Bottle?

Bottle Liquid

© Inno Planet

Exercise: What is the Main Useful Function of the Cap?

Cap Bottle

© Inno Planet

23
 Exercise: What is the Main Useful Function of the Mirror?

Mirror Light

© Inno Planet

Exercise: What is the Main Useful Function of the Book?

???
Book ???

Book Person

© Inno Planet

24
 Function Analysis - Door

• Allow person to pass

• Stop person
• Provide open passage

• There are no functions

between an open door
and the person who
walks through it because
there are no interactions
between them

© Inno Planet

Function Analysis - People Function

• Wait for bus • There are no functions

• Waste time between the people who are
• Queue for bus waiting for the bus and the
bus, because there are no
interactions between them

© Inno Planet

25
 Function Analysis: Tooth Brush Function

• Clean teeth • Remove plaque

• Brighten teeth • Remove food
• Keep teeth clean
• Prevent cavities
• Make teeth healthy

© Inno Planet

Component Analysis
• To understand a System, we need to analyze and
identify the “interrelated and interdependent”
Components that are organized and structured to
deliver the main useful function of the system

• The Components of the System contain internal and

external elements with which the object of analysis
interacts, or co-exists with

• These elements continually “interact” and influence

one another, directly or indirectly to maintain their
activity and the existence of the System

© Inno Planet

26
 What is Component ?
• Component is an identifiable Object that makes up a
part of a System
• Component can be Substances and/or Fields
– Substance is defined as an Object with rest mass
(e.g. table, book, hammer, nail)
– Field is defined as an Object without rest mass that
transfers an interaction between Substances (e.g.
magnetic field, electric field)

back rest frame

seat screws

© Inno Planet

Supersystem Components
Supersystem Components interact with System but
are not part of System

Air Floor

Humidity Person

Lights Dust

© Inno Planet

27
 Interaction Analysis
Interaction Analysis is an analytical tool that identifies
and understands the interactions between the
components of the System

Component Component

C1 C6
Interaction
C3 Interaction
C2
Interaction C7
Interaction
C5 C4
C8

© Inno Planet

Function Model
Function Model is an analysis of the interactions between components
of the System and Supersystem. It identifies the advantages and
disadvantages of the functions acting on each of the components.

System Supersystem
Component Component

C1 C6
Component
Interaction
C3 Product
C2
Interaction
Supersystem
C5 C4 Component
Component C7
Boundary of System

© Inno Planet

28
 What is Function Model ?
The main goal of Function Analysis is to identify specific
disadvantages of an Object - namely, harmful Functions
as well as useful Functions performed insufficiently, and
those that are performed excessively

Useful (Normal)
Subject Object

Useful (Insufficient)
Subject Object

Useful (Excessive)
Subject Object

Harmful
Subject Object

© Inno Planet

Definition of Interactions – Useful Functions

Useful Function is defined as the product that delivers the purpose
or functional requirement to its users as designed

1 Equal or Normal
If the actual parameter value equal
Example:
Interaction between Robotic
the required or designed value, the arm and Plastic Bottle
related Function is defined as
NORMAL Normal Useful Function:
Robotic arm holds Plastic
Insufficient
2 If the actual parameter value is less
bottle

or falls below the required or Insufficient Useful Function:

designed value, the related Function Robotic arm drops Plastic
is defined as INSUFFICIENT bottle

3 Excessive
If the actual parameter value is
Excessive Useful
Function: Robotic arm
more or falls above the required crushes Plastic bottle
value, the Function is defined as
EXCESSIVE
© Inno Planet

29
 Definition of Interactions – Harmful Functions
A harmful function is defined as a function that worsens
the parameters of the object of the function

4 Harmful Example:
If the actual parameter value Interaction between
generates damaging or Robotic arm and Plastic
undesirable effects on their Bottle
objects, the related Function
is defined as HARMFUL Harmful Function:
Robotic arm scratches
Plastic bottle
scratch
Robotic Plastic
Arm Bottle Robotic arm stains
Plastic bottle

© Inno Planet

Function Analysis Summary

Component Interaction Function

Analysis Analysis Model

Identifies Identifies the Identifies and

Components of interaction evaluates the
the System and between the Functions
its Supersystem Components performed by the
Components

© Inno Planet

30
 Exercise – Function Analysis Case Study
Problem: Unable to pick up small pieces of food with chopsticks. Food
is getting cold

Exercise: Apply and perform Function Analysis on system

• Step #1: Component Analysis
– Identify Components of System & Supersystem
• Step #2: Interaction Analysis
– Draw Components and their interactions
• Step #3: Function Model
– Indicate Function Types

© Inno Planet

Exercise – Step #1 Component Analysis

1 Product

Food

2 System Components

Hand Chopstick

3 Supersystem Components

Air

© Inno Planet

31
 Exercise – Step #2 Interaction Analysis

Air

hold hold Food

Hand Chopstick

© Inno Planet

Exercise – Step #3 Function Model

Air

hold hold
Hand Chopstick Food

© Inno Planet

32
 Exercise – Function Analysis Case Study
Problem: Book is not stable when placed on table

Exercise: Apply and perform Function Analysis on system

• Step #1: Component Analysis
– Identify Components of System & Supersystem
• Step #2: Interaction Analysis
– Draw Components and their interactions
Top
• Step #3: Function Model
– Indicate Function Types

Table top screw (loosely tightened)

Frame screw (correctly tightened) Leg

Frame
© Inno Planet

Exercise – Step #1 Component Analysis

1 Product

Book

2 System Components 3 Supersystem Components

Table top Legs Floor Air

Table top
screw Frame Lights Dust

Frame screw Humidity

© Inno Planet

33
 Exercise – Step #2 Interaction Analysis

Book

hold
Table top
hold
Table top screw
Legs
Floor

Humidity Frame

Frame screw

© Inno Planet

Exercise – Step #3 Function Model

Book

hold
Table top
hold
Table top screw
Legs
Floor

Humidity Frame

Frame screw

© Inno Planet

34
 Structured Problem Solving

Content
• What is Structured Problem Solving?
• Understanding Step-by-Step Process
• Know the advantage of TRIZ to complement
Structured Problem Solving process

© Inno Planet

What is Structured Problem Solving?

Step by Step Process
1 Define Problem

2 Current Situation

3 Identify Causes

4 Develop Solutions

5 Implement Solutions

6 Standardize Solutions

7 Next Steps

© Inno Planet

35
 Step 1 – Define Problem
1 Define Problem Purpose
• Identify the problem and the
2 Current Situation importance of working on it

3 Identify Causes Output

• Establish a team
4 Develop Solutions • Develop Problem Statement

5 Implement Solutions Key questions

• Nature of problem?
6 Standardize Solutions • Symptoms quantified?
• Resources committed?
7 Next Steps

© Inno Planet

Step 2 - Current Situation

1 Define Problem
Purpose
2 Current Situation • Clarify the problem areas as
the situation exists today
3 Identify Causes
Output
4 Develop Solutions • Create a problem description

5 Implement Solutions

6 Standardize Solutions

7 Next Steps

© Inno Planet

36
 Step 3 - Identify Causes
1 Define Problem
Purpose
• Identify and verify the root causes of
2 Current Situation
the problem

3 Identify Causes Output

• Isolate and verify the root cause of
4 Develop Solutions the problem

5 Implement Solutions

6 Standardize Solutions

7 Next Steps

© Inno Planet

Step 4 - Develop Solutions

1 Define Problem
Purpose
2 Current Situation • Develop and test solutions to
eliminate the root cause
3 Identify Causes
Output
• Fix the problem at the root cause
4 Develop Solutions
level
• Generate no additional problems
5 Implement Solutions

6 Standardize Solutions

7 Next Steps

© Inno Planet

37
 Step 5 - Implement Solutions
1 Define Problem
Purpose
2 Current Situation • Implement and validate
corrective actions
3 Identify Causes
Output
4 Develop Solutions
• Implementation plan, risks and
barriers identified
5 Implement Solutions
• Validate that corrective action is
working
6 Standardize Solutions

7 Next Steps

© Inno Planet

Step 6 - Standardize Solutions

1 Define Problem
Purpose
2 Current Situation • Ensure that improvements are
sustained over time
3 Identify Causes
Output:
4 Develop Solutions • Solutions proliferated to similar
equipment and processes
5 Implement Solutions

6 Standardize Solutions

7 Next Steps

© Inno Planet

38
 Step 7 - Next Steps
1 Define Problem
2 Current Situation
3 Identify Causes
4 Develop Solutions
5 Implement Solutions
6 Standardize Solutions
7 Next Steps
© Inno Planet
Structured Problem Solving Process & TRIZ
SPS
1 Define Problem
2 Current Situation
3 Identify Causes
4 Develop Solutions
5 Implement Solutions
6 Standardize Solutions
7 Next Steps
© Inno Planet
Purpose
• Evaluate accomplishments and
lessons learned
Output:
• Document post-mortem
• Update documentation
• Publish report and findings
TRIZ
• Function Analysis of product or process
• Ideality
• Cause and Effect Chain Analysis
• Problem Commonality Analysis
• Scientific Effects
•
•
Cause & Effect Chain Analysis
Engineering Contradiction, Physical Contradiction
• Substance-Field Modeling, 76 Standard Inventive Solutions
• 40 Inventive Principles
• Trends of Engineering System Evolution
• ARIZ (Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving)
TRIZ complements
Structured Problem Solving
TRIZ is a “power” tool to add to
an innovator’s toolbox
39
 The Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle and ‘The Real World’

ACT PLAN FIRE-

FIGHT PLAN

? DO
CHECK DO

The Ideal The Actuality

Facts:
• Average human brain is much happier in "solve" mode than it is in "define" mode
• Typical scenario involves obligatory 10 min thinking about problem, followed by
1 hour of enjoyable creative "solving", followed by a race to implement the
solution to see how good we were at solving it. Basically racing to the right
answer to the wrong problem
• TRIZ encourages us to stay in "define" mode as long as possible through both
explicit and subtle means. Follow the process!
© Inno Planet

TRIZ Tool : Problem Commonality Analysis

Content
• What is Problem Commonality Analysis?
• How to use Problem Commonality Analysis?

Exercise
• Problem Commonality Analysis Case Study

© Inno Planet

40
 TRIZ Tool: Problem Commonality Analysis

• Problem Commonality Analysis is used to

identify potential problem sources in order to
narrow down for root cause analysis
• This is an essential step by comparing
against similar suppliers, product, equipment,
workers, etc.

© Inno Planet

Problem Commonality Analysis

Problem - present Problem - absent
What
(e.g. product, equipment)
Where
(e.g. location)
When
(e.g. calendar date,
processing time)
Who
(e.g. individual, shift)
(e.g. supplier, customer)

© Inno Planet

41
 Problem Commonality Analysis - Example

Problem - present Problem - absent

Product type 876xx Others

Equipment (tester) AM234, AM235 AM236, AM237, AM238

Customer feedback N/A

Workers All shifts

When problem seen > July 201X < July 201X

© Inno Planet

TRIZ Tool : Cause & Effect Chain Analysis

Content
• What is Cause & Effect Chain Analysis?
• How to use Cause & Effect Chain Analysis?

Exercise
• Cause & Effect Chain Analysis Case Study

© Inno Planet

42
 What is Cause & Effect Chain Analysis?
• A Cause & Effect Chain Analysis generates hypotheses
about possible causes(reasons) and effects(results) of
problems
• A Cause & Effect Chain (CEC) Analysis diagram is a
structured way of expressing hypothesis about the
causes of a problem or about why something is not
happening as desired
• It helps to focus attention on the process where a
problem is occurring and to allow for constructive use of
facts to narrow down on the actual causes
• It cannot replace empirical testing of these hypotheses, it
does not tell which is the root cause, but rather the
possibilities

© Inno Planet

How to use Cause & Effect Chain Analysis?

Step Process
Step 1 Agree on the problem and write it in the effect box
Brainstorm about likely causes and then sort them into major
Step 2 categories or branches depending on the method chosen

Continue to brainstorm and generate a list of causes and fill

Step 3 them in the appropriate categories or branches

Keep asking "Why?" for each cause until a potential root cause
Step 4 has been identified

Use team’s best collective judgment to choose several areas they

Step 5 feel are most likely causes and eliminate the unlikely causes

Use the reduced list of likely causes to develop respective

Step 6 hypothesis to prove the group’s theory

Validate hypothesis to confirm the likely root cause, and proceed to

Step 7 implement the solution
Go back and choose other causes for testing if the initial selection is incorrect

© Inno Planet

43
 Cause & Effect Chain Analysis
Normal wear
Filament
wear out Why?
Filament Manufacturing
Power is Out Why?
broken issue
Mechanical
Why?
Why? Shock
Poor current
Light bulb no Socket
longer works cracked protection in
There is no circuit
light when Current Spike
switch is Switch is
turned on Power spike
broken from grid

= tested this possibility, not a

cause

• Continue until the “why” cannot be answered. You will reach the cause
that is a fundamental law of sciences or technology limit
• The end of the chain is a potential root cause

© Inno Planet

TRIZ Tool : Trimming

Content
• What is Trimming?
• Understand Trimming Rules
• How to use Trimming?

Exercise
• Trimming Case Study

© Inno Planet

44
 What is Trimming?
• Trimming is a method of eliminating Components
from a System to reduce or eliminate the
disadvantages of those trimmed Components
• Trimming is used to increase the efficiency and
reduce the cost of the System

© Inno Planet

Trimming Rules
RULE A
The Function is not
needed any more
because the Object of the
Function no longer exists

RULE B
The Object being worked
by the Function performs
the Function itself

RULE C
The Function is transferred
to another Component in
the System or Supersystem

© Inno Planet

45
 Trimming Factor – Product Diagnostic Analysis
Function2
Trimming factor (T) =
(Problem + Cost)
Function
Rank
High Functionality High Functionality
Low Problems and Costs High Problems and Costs

Low Functionality Low Functionality

Low Problems and Costs High Problems and Costs

Problem + Cost Rank

A more ideal system is one that is less costly
and has fewer components
© Inno Planet

Exercise - Trimming Case Study #1

1 What is the main useful function of a toothbrush?

2 Perform Function Analysis of a toothbrush?

Step 1: Do a component analysis
Step 2: Understand the interactions
Step 3: Build a function model

3 Which trimming rules did you apply?

Rule A: You don’t need the function anymore
Rule B: The object performs the function itself
Rule C: Some other components does the function

4 What does it look like?

© Inno Planet

46
 Exercise - Trimming Case Study #1
1 What is the main useful function of a toothbrush?

2 Perform Function Analysis of a toothbrush?

3 Which trimming rules did you apply?

4 What does it look like?

© Inno Planet

Exercise - Trimming Case Study #2

1 What is the main useful function of a skipping rope?

2 Perform Function Analysis of a skipping rope?

Step 1: Do a component analysis
Step 2: Understand the interactions
Step 3: Build a function model

3 Which trimming rules did you apply?

Rule A: You don’t need the function anymore
Rule B: The object performs the function itself
Rule C: Some other components does the function

4 What does it look like?

© Inno Planet

47
 Exercise - Trimming Case Study #2
1 What is the main useful function of a skipping rope?

2 Perform Function Analysis of a skipping rope?

3 Which trimming rules did you apply?

4 What does it look like?

© Inno Planet

TRIZ Tool : S-Curve Analysis

Content
• What does it take to grow a business?
• What is Main Parameter of Value (MPV)
• What is S-curve?
• Understand stages of S-curve

© Inno Planet

48
 What Does It Take to Grow a Business?
Key Findings
• Commit to Superior Customer Value
– Quality & Price
– Innovation — Products & Services

• Focus on Five Sources of Revenue Growth

– Base Retention
– Market Share Gain
– Market Position
– Adjacent Markets
– New Lines of Business

Extract from Sergei's presentation from Fourth TRIZ Symposium in Japan, 2008
© Inno Planet

Focus on Five Sources of Revenue Growth

Base Retain/keep your current customers. Incremental innovation
Retention

Share Take business away from competitors. Radical innovation

Gain

Half of success is showing up where growth is going to happen

Market
Positioning Find the new growth segments before anyone else. Main
Parameter of Value (MPV)

Adjacent Proliferate to neighboring markets, potentially to totally different

Markets markets

New Lines of Acquire in unrelated markets

Business

© Inno Planet

49
 Main Parameters of Value (MPV)
• Main Parameters of Value (MPV) are the Product
attributes which define Customer behavior in the
market
• These MPV are objective technical (physical,
geometrical, chemical,...) parameters
• Traditional parameters (e.g. safety, cost,
performance,..) are too general and not instrumental
for innovation
• Only 1-3 parameters are important to customers
• MPVs may differ with different market segments

© Inno Planet

S-Curve Analysis
The S-Curve is both descriptive and predictive

Descriptive
• Ability to identify S-Curve stage
• Determine best Principle of Operation for achieving
goals

Prediction
• Formulate most promising strategies for future
development. This includes: fine tune, revamp,
dump, find new technology, rethink entire process

© Inno Planet

50
 S-Curve Evolution
• Systems do not develop randomly. They develop according to
objective evolutionary trends
• These evolutionary trends are similar to the Natural Selection Law
from biology during the 19th century where bacteriologists were able
to identify the growth pattern of a colony of bacteria
• Systems compete for different types of resources (money, energy)

3rd stage (Maturity)

Main
Parameter
4th stage
of Value
(Decline)
2nd stage
(Growth)

1st stage
(Birth)

© Inno Planet
Time

S-Curve: Bicycles
Distance

Time
© Inno Planet

51
 1st Stage Analysis
• Overview
– The System is born where the Principle of Operation
is first applied to deliver its main function
– The System design and components are not refined
– Face intense competition with emerging and leading
technologies
• Indicators
– The System is new and has a champion MPV, but
has not yet entered the market
• Examples
– Stem cell research, software beta version, BIOME car
• Recommendations
– Major changes to System including its Principle of
Operation are allowed
– Must launch into the market as quickly as possible
– Focus on market where the champion MPV is most
important
© Inno Planet

2nd Stage Analysis

• Overview
– Main Parameter of Value improves rapidly
– Production volume growth
– Expand to new applications
• Indicators
– The System moves into mass production
– Differentiation between System application
increases
– The System gains functions that are closely
connected to the main function
• Examples
– GPS, tablet computer, smart phones
• Recommendations
– Optimization is the principal method of improving
the System
– Adapt the System to new fields or applications
– Adding components to gain more functions

© Inno Planet

52
 3rd Stage Analysis
• Overview
– The System development slows enormously, despite
increasing efforts
– Production volume become stable
– One or more contradictions increase exponentially,
hindering further growth of the function/cost ratio
• Indicators
– The System consumes highly specialized resources
– Supersystem components are designed to
accommodate the System
– Variations differ from one another mainly by design
– The System acquires additional functions that are of
little relevance to the main function
• Examples
– Computers, cars, mirrors
• Recommendations
– Reduce costs, develop service components, improve
aesthetic design
– Deep trimming, integration of alternative System or
transition to Supersystem
– Look for a Main Parameter of Value that is in an earlier
stage to develop
© Inno Planet

4th Stage Analysis

• Overview
– The System functionality and revenue decline
– Production volume drops considerably
– More effective Systems have reached their 2nd stage
and are beginning to force the System out
• Indicators
– Main function of the System loses its utility become
non-utilitarian such as toy, souvenir, decoration or sport
equipment, entertainment, etc
– The system continues to function only in highly
specialized fields
– The System continues to function within a Supersystem
• Examples
– Typewriters, film camera, ink blotter
• Recommendations
– Look for the market where the System would be
competitive
– Further reduce costs, develop service component,
improve design
– Deep trimming and transition to Supersystem

© Inno Planet

53
 Trends of Increasing Value and S-Curve Evolution

F const

C 
MPV

F 
 C 
3rd stage
F 
C const
4th stage

 F  F 
C  2nd stage
C 
F 
C 
1st stage

Time

© Inno Planet

The Overriding Importance of Evolutionary S-Curves

MPV

target

Fundamental Limit of Capability

Two Options
1) Change the target
2) Change the System

Current System

Time

© Inno Planet

54
 The Overriding Importance of Evolutionary S-Curves

MPV

target

Getting to the target requires a

Fundamental Limit of Capability change to the System :
• Solve a contradiction
• Use another means
• Evolve to other trend stages
Altered System

Current System

Time

© Inno Planet

Predictable Trends of Evolution

Ideality
MPV X

Final Generation

2nd Generation

1st Generation

Time
© Inno Planet

55
 System Evolution Paths
4) Engineering Contradiction
5) Ideality

Ideality = Σ Functionality
X Σ Costs + Σ Harm

X X Ideality
X
X

System
Today 1) Function Analysis
2) Trimming
3) Inventive Principles

© Inno Planet

Problem solving - Define problem TRIZ Tools & Applications

& root cause identification:
Problem solving - Solution generation:
• Product Analysis
• Inventive Principles
• Process Analysis
• Standard Inventive Solutions
• Cause & Effect Chain Analysis
• Scientific Effects
• Engineering Contradiction
• Ideality, Ideal Final Result
• Physical Contradiction
• Trends of Engineering System Evolution
• Substance-Field Analysis
• Feature Transfer
• Failure Anticipation Analysis
• Function Oriented Search
• Flow Analysis
• ARIZ
• Trimming
• 9-Windows
People: • Clone Problem Application
• Function Analysis • Benchmarking
• Perception Mapping TRIZ
• Engineering Contradiction New Products/Apps, Market Analysis:
• Inventive Principles • Main Parameter of Value (MPV)
• S-Curve
• Trends of Engineering System Evolution
• Feature Transfer
Solution robustness: • Function Oriented Search
• Failure Anticipation Analysis • Benchmarking
• Secondary problem solving • Trimming
• Function Oriented Search • 9-Windows
• Super-Effect Analysis • Inverse Analysis
© Inno Planet • Patent strategies

56
 Structure of TRIZ tools
Original problem to resolve
Toolbox which
Legend
Function Analysis contains root
Identification of Problem cause analysis,
Cause & Effect Chain Analysis
Model of Problem modeling of
Trends of Eng. System Evolution
Solution Generation Tool problem and
Model of Solution solution
Trimming Feature Transfer
generation tools
Key problem to resolve

Engineering Contradiction Physical Contradiction Function Model Substance-Field Model Algorithm

Separation, Satisfaction,
Contradiction Matrix
Bypass
of Inventive
Problem Solving
(ARIZ)
System of Standard
Scientific Effects
Inventive Solutions

Specific Inventive Specific Inventive Specific Scientific Specific Standard (Not exhaustive list)
Principle Principle Effect Inventive Solution

Key solution to implement

© Inno Planet

Setting the stage

Model of problem Tool Model of solution
8x7 Multiplication 56
chart
HCl + NaOH Laws of chemistry NaCl + H20
TRIZ: Engineering Contradiction Inventive Principles
Contradiction matrix
TRIZ: Physical Separation Inventive Principles
Contradiction Satisfaction
Bypass
TRIZ: Substance-Field System of Standard Inventive
model Standard Inventive Solutions
Solutions

© Inno Planet

57
 TRIZ Tool : Engineering Contradiction

Content
• What is Engineering Contradiction?
• What are System Parameters?
• What are Inventive Principles?
• How to use Contradiction Matrix?

Exercise
• Case Study

© Inno Planet

What is a Contradiction?
An improvement in one characteristic of a system
results in the degradation of another characteristic

“As one characteristic gets better another characteristic gets

worse”

• If I make the gas stove burn hotter, then the kettle of water boils
faster, but gas consumption is higher
• If I make the lift larger, then it is can carry more loads, but it
becomes heavier
• If I increase speed of the car, then I can reach destination in
shorter time, but fuel consumption is higher

Traditionally the problem is addressed by

compromise, sacrifice or trade-off
© Inno Planet

58
 What is an Engineering Contradiction?
• An Engineering Contradiction is a situation in which an
attempt to improve one parameter of a system leads to
the worsening (impairment) of another parameter
• It can be reflected in a positive and negative interaction
between two or more components

Action 1
Action 3

Subject Action 4 Object

Action 2
Action 5

Component

© Inno Planet

Resolving Engineering Contradictions

• Identifying, understanding and resolving Engineering Contradictions
within a system is a powerful way to improve the system
• It is possible to eliminate the Engineering Contradictions rather than
looking for trade offs
• Use "If ... (manipulative variable changes) ... then ... (responding
variable #1 improves) ..., but ... (responding variable #2 worsens) ..."

If table legs are changed from plastic to metal, then the strength
of the table improves, but the weight of the table worsens

Improving parameter Strength of Table

Contradiction
Worsening parameter Weight of Table
Diameter of
table legs
Improving parameter Weight of Table
Contradiction
Worsening parameter Strength of Table

© Inno Planet

59
 Hypothesis Development
• Contradictions: Use "If ... (manipulative variable changes) ... then
... (responding variable #1 improves) ..., but ... (responding
variable #2 worsens) ..."
If we increase the diameter of the table legs, then the strength
of the table improves, but the weight of the table worsens

• Hypothesis:
• Use "If ... (manipulative variable changes) ... then ...
(responding variable #1 improves)
If we increase the diameter of the table legs, then the
strength of the table improves

• OR "If ... (manipulative variable changes) ... then ...

(responding variable #2 worsens)"
If we reduce the diameter of the table legs, then the
strength of the table worsens
• Validate that the hypothesis is true to identify actual root cause
© Inno Planet

Contradiction Matrix
• The Inventive Principles are simple ways to resolve Engineering
Contradictions – the application of the principles does not require any
special knowledge. Adults as well as children can use them easily
• There are two methods to apply the Inventive Principles
Method 1 Method 2
Utilize the Contradiction Matrix in order to get a Familiarize with all 40 Inventive
set of recommended Inventive Principles to solve Principles and apply each or a
the Engineering Contradiction. If no good combination to solve the Engineering
solution, look at remaining 40 Inventive Principles Contradiction

• The Contradiction Matrix was designed to formalize and facilitate the

usage of the Inventive Principles – it was one of the first outcomes of
the work of Altshuller and his colleagues
• He abstracted and classified the Inventive Principles and also
identified System Parameters that can describe all the different solved
contradictions
• The System Parameters laid out in 39 x 39 matrix where the x-axis is
the parameter that worsens, while the y-axis is the parameter that
improves in the contradiction
© Inno Planet

60
 Contradiction Matrix
39 Worsening Parameters

39 Improving Parameters

© Inno Planet

What is parameter?
• Parameter is defined as any Yes, I’m from
factor that defines a system Egypt … how did
you guess?
and determines (or limits) its
performance

• Parameter typically describes

the characteristics of a
system

• A parameter is a “property or
attribute” given to describe a
system

© Inno Planet

61
 39 System Parameters

1. Weight of Moving Object 21. Power

2. Weight of Stationary Object 22. Loss of Energy
3. Length (or Angle) of Moving Object 23. Loss of Substance
4. Length (or Angle) of Stationary Object 24. Loss of Information
5. Area of Moving Object 25. Loss of Time
6. Area of Stationary Object 26. Quantity of Substance
7. Volume of Moving Object 27. Reliability (Robustness)
8. Volume of Stationary Object 28. Measurement Accuracy
9. Speed 29. Manufacturing Precision (Consistency)
10. Force 30. Object Affected Harmful Factors
11. Pressure or Stress 31. Object Generated Harmful Factors
12. Shape 32. Ease of Manufacture (Manufacturability)
13. Stability of the Object’s Composition 33. Ease of Operation
14. Strength 34. Ease of Repair (Repairability)
15. Duration of Action of Moving Object 35. Adaptability or Versatility
16. Duration of Action of Stationary Object 36. Device Complexity
17. Temperature 37. Difficulty of Detecting and Measuring
18. Illumination Intensity 38. Extent of Automation
19. Use of Energy by Moving Object 39. Productivity
20. Use of Energy by Stationary Object

© Inno Planet

What is an inventive principle?

• Is a basic generalized rule that is accepted as facts,
works in exactly the same way consistently and
usually followed as a basis of reasoning or
explanation of the invention

Telephone Television Car

Altshuller screened 200,000 patents in order to find out what kind of

contradictions were resolved by each invention and the way it was
achieved. He synthesized down to 40,000 innovative patents (i.e.
patents which had contradictions) and from this, he developed a set of
40 Inventive Principles. Let’s review the 40 Inventive Principles …

© Inno Planet

62
 40 Inventive Principles
1. Segmentation 21. Skipping
2. Taking out 22. Blessing in disguise
3. Local quality 23. Feedback
4. Asymmetry 24. Intermediary
5. Merging 25. Self-service
6. Universality 26. Copying
7. Nested doll 27. Cheap short -living objects
8. Anti-weight 28. Mechanics substitution
9. Preliminary anti-action 29. Pneumatics and hydraulics
10. Preliminary action 30. Flexible shells and thin films
11. Beforehand cushioning 31. Porous materials
12. Equipotentiality 32. Colour change
13. The other way around 33. Homogeneity
14. Curvature 34. Discarding and recovering
15. Dynamization 35. Parameter changes
16. Partial or excessive actions 36. Phase transition
17. Another dimension 37. Thermal expansion
18. Mechanical vibration 38. Strong oxidants
19. Periodic action 39. Inert atmosphere
20. Continuity of useful action 40. Composite materials

© Inno Planet

Principle 1: Segmentation
a) Divide an object into independent parts
b) Make an object easy to disassemble
c) Increase the degree of fragmentation or segmentation
d) Transition to micro-level
Examples
• Concept of modular furniture where the components of the furniture are disassembled
at the point of purchase and during transport
• Break into small teams. Virtual office. Modular office. Divide a difficult problem into
smaller segments for better focus. Market segmentation
• Distributed computing e.g. client server computing (BitTorrent peer-to-peer model),
front-end (UI) back-end (data)
• Segment large files into small data packets (e.g. IP packets in internet)

Principle 2: Taking out (Extraction)

a) Separate an interfering part or property from an object, or single out the
only necessary part (or property) of an object
Examples
• Move a person to an area where the person’s strengths can be fully utilized. Identify
the extreme behaviors in the group. Just-in-Time inventory management
• The air conditioning compressor which is noisy and hot, is moved to outside of building
• Remove all access for absolute security. Remove connection ports, lock computer
• Remove unwanted emails files, software to recover storage space
• Offline browsing of website contents
© Inno Planet

63
 Principle 3: Local quality
a) Change an object's structure from uniform to non-uniform, change an
external environment (or external influence) from uniform to non-uniform
b) Make each part of an object function in conditions most suitable for its
operation
c) Make each part of an object fulfil a different and useful function
Examples
• Vacuum cleaner which has a part which sucks up the dust, another part which
filters the dust, and another part which stores the dust
• Create recreational rooms, pantry area in the office. Skill/personality matching in
project teams. Flexi work hours. Kid's area in restaurant. Quiet work area
• Different quality of printing (draft, normal, presentation) depending on need
• Add special effects (sound, graphics, multimedia) to make GUI attractive & user
friendly

Principle 4: Asymmetry
a) Change the shape of an object from symmetrical to asymmetrical
b) If an object is already asymmetrical, increase its degree of symmetry
Examples
• Assemble a team with skewed competencies depending on problem to solve.
Create a diverse team consisting of men/women, young/old, conservative/
aggressive character to create different ideas
• On-line, web-cam shopping

© Inno Planet

Principle 5: Merging
a) Bring closer together (or merge) identical or similar objects, assemble identical or
similar parts to perform parallel operations
b) Make operations contiguous or parallel; bring them together in time
Examples
• Combine team members with similar competencies to solve a chronic problem.
Multi-screen cinemas. Shopping mall
• Millions of transistors fabricated together to form a microprocessor
• Many rowers in a boat work together to move the boat faster and further
• Mail merge – same content but names/addresses are different
• Merge multiple gif files to create an animated gif

Principle 6: Universality (Multi-functionality)

a) Make a part or object perform multiple functions; eliminate the need for other parts
b) Use standardized features
Examples
• Camper van which consists of bed, kitchen, sofa
• Child's car safety seat converts to a stroller or a large carry-on basket
• Smartphone with features of GPS, WiFi, camera
• One-stop shop which is able to provide all the necessary support infrastructure and
capabilities. Set industry standard
• Multipurpose editor to edit text, binary, Hex, graphics, spreadsheet, web-page
• Portable Document Format (pdf) allows graphics/fonts to be printed from any computer and
from any platform (Mac, Windows, Unix)
© Inno Planet

64
 Principle 7: Nested doll
a) Place one object inside another; place each object, in turn, inside the other
b) Make one part pass through a cavity in the other
Examples
• Antenna of a car which can be retracted or extended
• Tripod stand for camera which can be retracted or extended
• Containers with identical shapes but different sizes, placed into each other
• Store-in-store. Profit centers inside an organization. ATM work for multiple banks
• Create PowerPoint presentation from Word
• Cascading menu with main menu having submenus which have further submenus

Principle 8: Anti-weight
a) To compensate for the weight of an object, merge it with other objects that
provide lift
b) To compensate for the weight of an object, make it interact with the
environment (e.g. use aerodynamic, hydrodynamic, buoyancy
and other forces)
Examples
• When one team/group/sub-team is too busy or has shortage, another can help out. Have
engineers and supervisors together to balance technical & management
• Automate tasks to help user e.g. auto filling. Braille keyboards, large special keys. Provide
user manuals, tutorials, demos when introducing new software

© Inno Planet

Principle 9: Preliminary anti-action

a) If it will be necessary to do an action with both harmful and useful effects,
this action should be replaced with anti-actions to control harmful effects
b) Create beforehand stresses in an object that will oppose known
undesirable working stresses later on
Examples
• Perform risk assessment to determine risk level and corrective action. Hold team building before
actual project starts. Assigned to sales team before allowed to work in product development
• Enable screen saver to protect user when away. Maintain audit trail on who has accessed the
system. Write protect directories by making read only and hidden

Principle 10: Preliminary action

a) Perform the required change of an object (either fully or partially) before it is needed
b) Pre-arrange objects such that they can come into action from the
most convenient place and without losing time for their delivery
Examples
• Marinate food for barbeque party
• Provide training for those who need it to help them in the job. Project pre-planning (Map Day).
Give guidelines upfront. Milestones/Gantt charts/ process flows/ questionnaires. Publish an
agenda before a meeting. Move personnel to areas which match their skill, knowledge,
competency. Create excitement by leaking news. Just-in-time factory. Benetton (clothing knitted
before dyed)
• Compressed backup i.e. compress data before backup

© Inno Planet

65
 Inventive Principles – Exercise #1
Instructions:
Draw a line to match the pictures and the principles adopted

Segmentation
Taking out
Local quality
Asymmetry
Merging
Universality
Nested doll
Anti weight
Preliminary anti-action
Preliminary action

© Inno Planet

Principle 11: Beforehand cushioning

a) Prepare emergency means beforehand to compensate for
the relatively low reliability of an object
Examples
• Back-up parachute is used to compensate for the low reliability of the
main parachute
• Backup computer data. Contingency planning. Undo feature to undo
any mistake

Principle 12: Equipotentiality

a) In a potential field, limit position changes (e.g. change
operating conditions to eliminate the need to raise or lower
objects in a gravity field)
Examples
• Equal technical & management skill levels
• Use high speed memory for high speed processor, use high
resolution graphics accelerator for high resolution monitor

© Inno Planet

66
 Principle 13: The other way around
a) Invert the action(s) used to solve the problem (e.g. instead of cooling an
object, heat it)
b) Make movable parts (or the external environment) fixed, and fixed parts
movable
c) Turn the object (or process) 'upside down'
Examples
• Escalator or moving sidewalk with standing people
• Leverage on each person’s strength and capitalize on them. Constructive confrontation.
Home shopping. Mobile library. Unlearning. Expand during recession
• Reverse email lookup i.e. find email address from a person’s personal details
• Change size of window according to content instead of adjusting contents inside window
e.g. video players resize windows automatically to suit video size

Principle 14: Curvature

a) Instead of using rectilinear parts, surfaces, or forms, use curvilinear ones;
move from flat surfaces to spherical ones; from parts shaped as a cube
(parallelepiped) to ball-shaped structures
b) Use rollers, balls, spirals, domes
c) Go from linear to rotary motion, use centrifugal forces
Examples
• Manage people differently e.g. Situational Leadership. Instead of giving directions in an
‘autocratic’ way, give more reasons and empowerment to more senior personnel
• Rotate leadership of a team
• IBM patent for drop down menu which are laterally arranged in the shape of an arc for
better wrist movement during selection
© Inno Planet

Principle 15: Dynamization (movable, flexible)

a) Allow (or design) the characteristics of an object, external environment, or
process to change to be optimal or to find an optimal operating condition
b) Divide an object into parts capable of movement relative to each other
c) If an object (or process) is rigid or inflexible, make it movable or adaptive
Examples
• Table with movable sections which can expand to accommodate from 4 chairs to 8
chairs
• Adjustable steering wheel for different heights
• Movies and animation compared to static images
• Animated buttons which show animation when mouse is moved over it
• Banners that run across a web page

Principle 16: Partial or excessive action

a) If 100 percent of an object is hard to achieve using a given solution method
then, by using 'slightly less' or 'slightly more' of the same method, the problem
may be considerably easier to solve
Examples
• In screen printing, excessive ink is applied on stencil and a squeegee is
used to wipe off the excess ink
• Utilize current resources and develop them extensively.
Over communicate roles/responsibilities, scope. Stretched goals
• If system takes long time to reboot, choose hibernate. Take high resolution picture, then
reduce if necessary. Best to have more disk space then minimum to run an app more
efficiently

© Inno Planet

67
 Principle 17: Another dimension
a) Move an object in two- or three-dimensional space
b) Use a multi-storey arrangement of objects instead of a single storey
arrangement
c) Tilt or re-orient the object, lay it on its
Examples
• CD changer cassette with many stacked CD's
• 360 degree feedback. Cross functional team. Extensive two way communication
• Change shift or swap headcount to balance the team's strength. Change work pattern e.g.
more at the work station instead of at the desk
• Continuous appraisal. Lease instead of selling products
• Size of worksheet is increased by scrolling in different angles (horizontal, vertical, diagonal
scrolling, rotating). 2D to 3D games and animations. Toolbar – drop down buttons

Principle 18: Mechanical vibration/oscillation

a) Cause an object to oscillate or vibrate
b) Increase its frequency (even up to the ultrasonic)
c) Use an object's resonant frequency
d) Use piezoelectric vibrators instead of mechanical ones
e) Use combined ultrasonic and electromagnetic field oscillations Break
gallstones
Examples into smaller
pieces
• Break gallstones into smaller pieces using ultrasonic resonance
• Immediate feedback to manager. Throw out assumptions every 3 weeks for startup company
• Cursor control with tactile (vibrate, shake) feedback. Vibrate image/icon to indicate that a particular
operation is active

© Inno Planet

Principle 19: Periodic action

a) Instead of continuous action, use periodic or pulsating actions
b) If an action is already periodic, change the periodic magnitude or
c) frequency
d) Use pauses between impulses to perform a different action
Examples
• Pulsating water jet is used to break concrete
• Batch manufacture. Change the break time pattern. Schedule regular MPS or
dialogue sessions. Audit at irregular intervals. Weekly feedback instead of annual
review. Flexible savings scheme. Change team leadership periodically
• Periodic update of software upgrades. Check for new emails at certain intervals.
Periodic expiry of password. Disconnect users from server after expiry of timeout
period. Periodic expiry of cache

Principle 20: Continuity of useful action

a) Carryon work continuously; make all parts of an object work at full load,
all the time
b) Eliminate all idle or intermittent actions or work
Examples
• 24-hour car service (evening pickup, morning return)
• Repeat option in media players to repeat playing music/video. Batch process

© Inno Planet

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 Inventive Principles – Exercise #2
Instructions:
Draw a line to match the pictures and the principles adopted

Velodrome
Beforehand cushioning
Equipotentiality
Computer
The other way around keyboard

Curvature
Dynamization
Partial or excessive action
Another dimension
Mechanical vibration
Periodic action
Continuity of useful action
Food dispenser

© Inno Planet

Principle 21: Skipping

a) Conduct a process, or certain stages (e.g. destructible, harmful or
hazardous operations) at high speed
Examples
• To avoid heating gum tissues, use a high-speed dentist's drill
• Skip unwanted steps to speed up process e.g. fast delete, shortcut, hot keys.
Jump to error handler when encounter errors in program code

Principle 22: Blessing in disguise

a) Use harmful factors (particularly, harmful effects of the environment
or surroundings) to achieve a positive effect
b) Eliminate the primary harmful action by adding it to another harmful
action to resolve the problem
c) Amplify a harmful factor to such a degree that it is no longer harmful
Examples
• Keep traffic out of city through cheap 'park & ride' and expensive downtown
parking. Restrict supply of goods to create scarcity value
• Use low-end systems to test software to determine minimum configuration,
troubleshoot, fix bugs. Free email accounts gain through advertising

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 Principle 23: Feedback
a) Introduce feedback (referring back, cross-checking) to improve a
process or action
b) If feedback is already used, change its magnitude or influence
Examples
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) to determine whether process is drifting out of
control
• Award/recognition. Survey or evaluation. 1/1. Periodical project review. Self
assessment. Skill assessment. Statistical Process Control. Customer
survey/seminars
• Request read receipt for email message. Ping to know availability of system in
remote place. Check parity bit after copying data to destination

Principle 24: Intermediary (Something in between)

a) Use an intermediary carrier article or intermediary process
b) Merge one object temporarily with another (which can be easily
removed)
Examples
• Counseling. Buddy for new hire. Facilitator. Use third party during difficult
negotiation. Coach, consultant. Subcon occasional services (e.g. cleaning,
transport). Travel agent
• GUI for easy to use visual interface
• Recycle bin keeping deleted files. Buffering to store video data temporarily before
displayed
© Inno Planet

Principle 25: Self service

a) Make an object serve itself by performing auxiliary helpful functions
b) Use waste resources, energy, or substances)
Examples
• Quality Circles. Self-help groups
• 'Cookies' on internet gather useful data for marketing while benefiting

Principle 26: Copying

a) A simplified and inexpensive copy should be used in place of a fragile
original or an object that is inconvenient to operate
b) Replace an object (or system of objects) with their optical image. The
image can be reduced or enlarged
Examples
• Listen to an audio CD instead of physically attending a conference
• Lead by example, Video-conferencing instead of physical travel, Use different
lecture-style, e.g. simulations, games, case studies
• Disk mirroring by maintaining fully redundant copy on another disk
• Electronic copy e.g. e-books, e-magazines, e-journals
• Screen capture e.g. screenshots in help documents and user manuals

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 Principle 27: Cheap short-living objects
a) Replace an expensive object with a multiple of inexpensive objects,
comprising certain qualities (such as service life, for instance)
Examples
• Disposable kitchen paper towel
• Plastic cups/spoons/forks
• Throw-away cameras. 2D cardboard policeman
• Disposable diapers and medical supplies (e.g. syringes, wipes)
• Computer Based Training. Computer games without human partner. Print preview
Temporary user id. Temporary password

Principle 28: Mechanics substitution

a) Replace a mechanical means with a sensory (optical, acoustic, taste or
smell) means
b) Use electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields to interact with the object
c) Change from static to movable fields, from unstructured fields to those
having structure
d) Use fields in conjunction with field-activated (e.g. ferromagnetic) particles
Examples
• Multi-media presentation. Budget motel but feels like Hilton. Supermarket pump bakery
odor to advertise bread products. Utilize touch, taste, smell, hearing
• Flexible headcount. Use 'trade secret' for proprietary knowledge. Single employee
customer service agent with necessary information available
• Voice recognition - convert voice to text. E-books, e-greetings, e-flowers. Text scanning.
OCR – convert graphics to text

© Inno Planet

Principle 29: Pneumatics and hydraulics

a) Use gas and liquid parts of an object instead of solid parts
(e.g. inflatable, filled with liquids, air cushion, hydrostatic, hydroreactive)
Examples
• Padding inside shoes which are filled with gel
• Flexi organizations. Competitors become collaborators to face common
problem e.g. airlines
• LCD display. Gel filled cables. Use liquid for cooling computer

Principle 30: Flexible shells and thin films

a) Use flexible shells and thin films instead of three dimensional
structures
b) Isolate the object from the external environment using flexible shells
and thin films
Examples
• Laminated safety glass for car windshields consists of a sandwich of a thin layer
of flexible clear plastic film between two or more pieces of glass. The plastic film
holds the glass in place when the glass breaks, helping to lessen injuries from
flying glass shards
• Plastic bags, plastic wraps
• File compression to reduce disk space. Compress data packets before sending
through a slow communication media. Email filters that organizes emails and
controls Spam. Advertisement filters

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 Inventive Principles – Exercise #3
Instructions:
Draw a line to match the pictures and the principles adopted

Nail gun Mouse trap

Skipping
Blessing in disguise
Feedback
Intermediary
Self service
Copying
Cheap short-living objects
Mechanics substitution Waterproofing
Pneumatics & Hydraulics
Flexible shells & thin films

© Inno Planet

Principle 31: Porous materials

a) Make an object porous, or use supplementary porous element (inserts, covers)
b) If an object is already porous, fill pores in advance with some substance
Examples
• Since a solid brick is heavy, introduce holes (pores) in the brick to reduce
its weight while still maintaining its strength
• Improve internal company communications through intranet. Allow easy access
from worker to CEO. Leak controversial issues to public to gauge reaction
• Use margins and spaces in page format. Use line/paragraph/word spacing to improve
document readability

Principle 32: Colour change

a) Change the colour of an object or its external environment
b) Change the transparency of an object or its external environment
c) In order to improve observability of things that are difficult to see,
use coloured additives or luminescent elements
Examples
• In order to ensure that Zip Lock bags are properly sealed, have one side in blue colour and another in
yellow colour. When the bags are zipped properly, it is indicated by green colour.
• Give clear and concise direction and consequences if instructions not followed
• Change business process for more transparency (e.g. salaries, policies, procedures,...). Change color of
the smock to identify different jobs. Different color coding for skill level i.e. basic, intermediate, advanced.
Corporate colors for brand image
• Change text and background colour for aesthetic look. Words with syntax problem are marked in different
colour. Change colour of hyperlinks after viewing linked web page

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 Principle 33: Homogeneity
a) Make objects interact with a given object of the same material
(or material with identical properties)
Examples
• Make a diamond cutting tool out of diamond
• Use sand blasting to create an imprint on glass since both materials are made of
silicon.
• Use common language which is understood by different communities. Hold meeting
with entire staff/group instead of just by individual. Get collective inputs/feedback.
Establish one team, one goal concept. Co-located project teams
• Cross platform compatibility e.g. Windows on Mac. Graphic/color compatibility
across platforms. Plug and play devices compatible with OS specs

Principle 34: Discarding and recovering

a) Make portions of an object that have fulfilled their functions go away
(discard by dissolving, evaporating, etc.) or modify these directly during
operation
b) Conversely, restore consumable parts of an object directly in operation
Examples
• Dissolving capsule for medicine
• Capacity balance using contract labour. Flexible, variable sized project teams.
Periodically re-energise continuous improvement initiatives
• Auto deletion of temporary files created during installation. Automatically restore
previous settings. Restore disk space in recycle bin by auto deletion of older files

© Inno Planet

Principle 35: Parameter changes

a) Change an object's physical state (e.g. to a gas, liquid, or solid)
b) Change the concentration or consistency
c) Change the degree of flexibility
d) Change the temperature
e) Change the pressure
Examples
• Pressurize nitrogen gas into liquid for reduced volume while stored and transported in tanks.
• Virtual shopping. e-business. Special offers/promotions. Introduce intelligence into on-line
catalogues. Made to order clothing. Change job expectations/scope if there are transitions.
Telephone banking
• Change graphics format: gif, jpeg, png, tiff for different usages
• Change search parameters in search engines to customize search

Principle 36: Phase transition

a) Use phenomena occurring during phase transitions (e.g. volume
changes, loss or absorption of heat)
Examples
• Refrigeration system uses concept of heat of vaporization and condensation
• Convert pdf to HTML format for faster display in browser. Migration from
wired to wireless devices, apps, protocols. Upgrade versions

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 Principle 37: Thermal expansion
a) Use thermal expansion (or contraction) of materials
b) If thermal expansion is being used, use multiple materials with
different coefficients of thermal expansion
Examples
• Combine high risk and high stability investment strategies during market turbulence
• Longer password for extra security. Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) greatly increases
number of available IP addresses over IPv4. Expand memory. Zoom out

Principle 38: Strong oxidants

a) Replace common air with oxygen-enriched air, b) Replace enriched air
with pure oxygen, c) Expose air or oxygen to ionizing radiation,
d) Use ionized oxygen, e) Replace ozonized (or ionized) oxygen with ozone
Examples
• Reward buddy/trainee when complete certain task or demonstrate certain skill level.
Risk & revenue sharing partnership. Guest speaker at a seminar
• Add security features e.g. encryption. Enrich software features e.g. voice enable,
special effects

© Inno Planet

Principle 39: Inert atmosphere

a) Replace a normal environment with an inert one
b) Add neutral parts, or inert additives to an object
Examples
• Nitrogen gas is used to fill up airplane tires to prevent freezing at high altitudes. This is due to
the fact that nitrogen is an inert gas, so high temperature and pressure changes have less effect
• Add neutral parties to organization or situation. Time out during negotiation. Team building day.
Corporate retreats. Operation room. Quiet area. Rest area
• Freeze rows/columns in spreadsheet. Demo software with full features but without save option.
Run Windows in safe mode to correct configurations. Read only file

Principle 40: Composite materials

a) Change from uniform to composite (multiple) materials
Examples
• Most modern golf club shafts are made of either steel or a carbon-fiber and resin composite.
Carbon fiber which is a composite material has the advantage of being lighter than steel
• Leverage wide range of skills, work experience, age, technical and non technical personnel to
maximize results. Multi-disciplinary team. Do training with combination of lecture, simulation,
video. Combine high/low risk investment strategy
• GUI with toolbars, scroll bars, popup menus, dialog boxes, buttons. Email with attachments.
Office suites e.g. MS Office

© Inno Planet

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 Inventive Principles – Exercise #4
Instructions:
Draw a line to match the pictures and the principles adopted

Porous materials
Colour changes
Homogeneity
Discarding & recovering
Parameter changes
Phase transitions
Thermal expansion
Strong oxidants
Inert atmosphere
Composite materials Bridge joint

© Inno Planet

40 Inventive Principles
1. Segmentation 21. Skipping
2. Taking out 22. Blessing in disguise
3. Local quality 23. Feedback
4. Asymmetry 24. Intermediary
5. Merging 25. Self-service
6. Universality 26. Copying
7. Nested doll 27. Cheap short -living objects
8. Anti-weight 28. Mechanics substitution
9. Preliminary anti-action 29. Pneumatics and hydraulics
10. Preliminary action 30. Flexible shells and thin films
11. Beforehand cushioning 31. Porous materials
12. Equipotentiality 32. Colour change
13. The other way around 33. Homogeneity
14. Curvature 34. Discarding and recovering
15. Dynamization 35. Parameter changes
16. Partial or excessive actions 36. Phase transition
17. Another dimension 37. Thermal expansion
18. Mechanical vibration 38. Strong oxidants
19. Periodic action 39. Inert atmosphere
20. Continuity of useful action 40. Composite materials

© Inno Planet

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 Importance of Combining Inventive Principles
4 Principles (2%) Average Number of
Inventive Principles
3 Principles Used In Invention
(18%) 2.3

2
1.7
1 Principle
(37%) 1.2
1

2 Principles
(43%) 1 2 3 Level of
Invention
(Data From TRIZ Journal, February 2002) (Data From CREAX Patent Research)

Levels of Invention
 Level 1 (32%) - Invention that has no contradictions
 Level 2 (45%) - Invention that has a contradiction but is not difficult to solve
 Level 3 (19%) - Invention that has a contradiction and is difficult to solve
 Level 4 (<4%) - Invention that has a contradiction and is difficult to solve.
Solution is not within domain
 Level 5 (<0.3%) - Pioneering invention

© Inno Planet

Steps for solving Engineering Contradictions

• Define the improving and worsening parameters of the System.
You will need to fit the problem parameters to the 39 System
Parameters
• Identify the appropriate or recommended Inventive Principles in
the Contradiction Matrix. Generate solutions. If more solutions
needed, review through the remaining 40 Inventive Principles.
• Apply Inventive Principles to solve contradiction. When an
offered principle is acceptable but generates a secondary
problem do not automatically reject it – find ways to solve the
secondary problem

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 Exercise: Toilet water reduction

• How can we reduce water usage in a toilet and still

remove waste effectively?
– Manipulative variable
– Responding variable
– Engineering Contradiction

• Determine
– Improving Parameter
– Worsening Parameter
– Inventive Principles

© Inno Planet

Exercise: Toilet water reduction

• Manipulative variable

• Responding variable

• Engineering Contradiction

© Inno Planet

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 Exercise: Toilet water reduction
 Improving Parameter

 Worsening Parameter

 Inventive Principles:

© Inno Planet

TRIZ Tool : Trends of Engineering

System Evolution
Content
• Examples of Trends of Engineering System
Evolution (TESE)

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 General Structure of the TESE
Trend of S-curve Evolution

Trend of
Increasing Ideality

Trend of Increasing
Trend of Trend of
Completeness of Trend of Increasing
Transition to the Optimization
System Degree of Trimming
Supersystem of Flows
Components

Trend of Trend of Uneven

Trend of Increasing
Elimination of Development of
Coordination
Human System Components
Involvement
Trend of Increasing
Controllability

Trend of Increasing
Dynamicity

© Inno Planet

Trend of Increasing Dynamicity

Increase system controllability by making it more
flexible and easily changeable

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 Evolution of toothbrush handles
(Trend of Increasing Dynamicity)

© Inno Planet

MyTRIZ Pathway
Practitioner pathway Instructor pathway
Zero TRIZ Level 1 Level 1 TRIZ
knowledge on Practitioner
(2 days class)
TRIZ

TRIZ Level 1 TRIZ Level 1 TRIZ Level 1 instructor

TRIZ Level 2 Level 2 TRIZ
Practitioner Practitioner
Instructor
(2 days class)
(2 days class)

TRIZ Level 2 Level 3 TRIZ TRIZ Level 2 TRIZ Level 2 instructor

TRIZ Level 3
Practitioner Practitioner Instructor
(10 days class)
(2 days class)

TRIZ Level 3 TRIZ Level 4 TRIZ Level 3 TRIZ Level 3 instructor

Level 4 TRIZ
Practitioner - Application of Expert Instructor
TRIZ tools (2 days class)

TRIZ Level 4 TRIZ Level 5 Level 5 TRIZ

Expert - Research in Master MATRIZ = International TRIZ
TRIZ
MyTRIZ = Malaysia TRIZ Innovation Association
© Inno Planet

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 TRIZ Tools
Level 1 Level 3
1. Function Analysis 1. Function Oriented Search
2. Cause & Effect Chain 2. Trends of Engineering System
Analysis Evolution
3. Trimming 3. Feature Transfer
4. Engineering 4. Benchmarking
Contradiction 5. 9-Windows
5. Contradiction Matrix 6. ARIZ
6. 40 Inventive Principles 7. Clone Problem Application
8. Super-Effects Analysis
Level 2 9. Failure Anticipation Analysis
1. Physical Contradiction 10.Inverse Analysis
2. Substance-Field 11.Process Analysis
Analysis 12.Process Trimming
3. 76 Standard Inventive 13.Flow Analysis
Solutions
14.Forecasting
4. S-Curve Analysis
15.Perception Mapping
© Inno Planet

Summary, Wrap up
• Reviewed TRIZ philosophy, methodology, and tools. TRIZ has
~25 tools which are able to be customized based on needs
(e.g. patent circumnavigation, forecast future trends, solve old
& chronic problems)
• Effective in identification of problem and generation of
innovative solutions
– Structured brainstorming of ideas. Complements other innovation
process/methods e.g. Blue Ocean Strategy , Lean, DeBono's Six
Thinking Hats, word/picture association, brain writing, ...
• Remember "Rule of 72"
• Follow the process flow, no shortcuts

"You can wait a hundred years for enlightenment,

or you can solve the problem in 15 minutes with these principles"
--- Genrich Altshuller, TRIZ
© Inno Planet

81
Level Training Manual
Malaysia TRIZ Innovation Association in partnership with Inno Planet Sdn Bhd
Website: www.mytriz.com.my Email: info@mytriz.com.my