The Quality Edge
The Forgotten Methodology
Learn more about TRIZ, or the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving.
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Projects frequently reach a point where the analysis is completed, and the team is unclear what they need to do for a resolution. This applies not only to projects but to problem-solving activities. The project team must be creative to determine what to do next. TRIZ minimizes the chance of unpredictable and unrepeatable results that are associated with brainstorming or brainwriting.
TRIZ is based on the idea that many of the underlying “root” problems that engineers face today contain elements that have already been solved (approximately 90-95%), often in a completely different industry, for a totally unrelated situation, that uses an entirely different technology.
Genrich Atschuller (1926-1998), a Russian inventor and naval officer, developed TRIZ after WWII (1946). Stalin sent him to the Siberian gulag camp for thinking too much. He was released from prison after Stalin’s death. His theory is based on the study of 200,000 patients to develop universal principles of inventiveness and creativity. TRIZ is structured method that can be used to rapidly generate plausible concepts that solve problems in technical and non-technical domains.
TRIZ Methodology | |
|---|---|
Step |
Action |
|
1. Define the Problem |
Clearly articulate the problem or challenge to be solved |
|
2. Identify Contradictions |
Determine conflicting requirements or factors within the problem or challenge |
|
3. Utilize the TRIZ tools |
Apply tools such as the 40 Inventive Principles |
|
4. Identify and select solutions |
Brainstorm and evaluation potential solutions generated using TRIZ Principles |
|
5. Implement Solutions |
Refine and implement selected solutions |
|
6. Analyze Results |
Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution and make any necessary adjustments. |
The first Inventive Principle of the forty is Segmentation, this is illustrated by
- Divide an object or system into independent parts
- Break down a process into process activities (Process Map)
- Five steps of 5s method
- Make an object or system easy to disassemble
- Material Review Board
- Poka Yoke
- Increase the degree of fragmentation or segmentation
- Cause & Effect Diagram
- Affinity Diagram
- Pareto Diagram Categories
- Stratified Sampling Schemes
- FMEA
The 40 Inventive Principles can be utilized to solve problems but unfortunately, fixing one problem often results in creating another problem. An example is that Bandwidth increases are very beneficial but require more power, which can increase costs and challenge demand. These contradictions can be resolved by applying the Contradiction Principles in a Contradiction Matrix.
The Contradiction Matrix is a large table that link pairs of the engineering principles into 39 X 39 matrix. The core process is to drive a physical contradiction (using the matrix) and solve it with the Separation Principle. Once the physical contradiction is determined this solution technique is powerful enough to identify breakthrough (innovative) solutions.
Let’s look at an example, an apartment building maintenance employee needs to have a ladder to clean the gutters. The problem is that there is no place to store a 24-foot ladder. Applying the principle of segmentation the engineers invented a ladder that folds and can be stored in a closet but when unfolded there can be a ladder to reach the 24-feet to the gutters. Thus, effectively addressing the contradiction of length and limited space.
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