TRIZ

Competency Group: Business

Type: Process

Description: TRIZ is "a problem-solving, analysis and forecasting tool derived from the study of patterns of invention in the global patent literature". An important part of the theory has been devoted to revealing patterns of evolution and one of the objectives which has been pursued by leading practitioners of TRIZ has been the development of an algorithmic approach to the invention of new systems, and the refinement of existing ones. TRIZ presents a systematic approach for analyzing the kind of challenging problems where inventiveness is needed and provides a range of strategies and tools for finding inventive solutions. One of the earliest findings of the massive research on which the theory is based is that the vast majority of problems that require inventive solutions typically reflect a need to overcome a dilemma or a trade-off between two contradictory elements. The central purpose of TRIZ-based analysis is to systematically apply the strategies and tools to find superior solutions that overcome the need for a compromise or trade-off between the two elements.

Citation for Description: TRIZ. (2012). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=TRIZ&oldid=469936501

Advantages: Marked increase in creative productivity. Rapid acceleration in the search for inventive and innovative solutions. Scientifically founded approach to the forecasting of the evolution of technological systems, products and processes.

Limitations: This approach is better suited to team innovation based activities.

Target Audience: Top management, Marketing, R&D

Relevant to Universal Design: Yes

Stages and Steps: 2.2, 4.3, 4.12, 4.13

Free Resource: Salamatov, Y. (1999). TRIZ: The right solution at the right time: A guide to innovative problem solving. Retrieved from http://www.xtriz.com/publications/Chapter2SalamatovBook.pdf.

Free Resource: CTQ Media. (2012). The TRIZ journal: Part of the real innovation network. Retrieved from http://www.triz-journal.com/.