What is TRIZ

Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of TRIZ:

1. Patterns of Invention

Altshuller analyzed thousands of patents and found that innovations followed certain patterns or principles, regardless of industry or domain. He discovered that inventions often solve problems by eliminating contradictions in systems. TRIZ identifies 40 inventive principles that guide these solutions.

2. Contradictions

At the heart of TRIZ is the idea of resolving contradictions. A contradiction occurs when improving one part of a system leads to the degradation of another. TRIZ provides tools to address these conflicts creatively, such as by finding ways to improve both parts or bypass the contradiction entirely.

There are two types of contradictions:

• Technical contradictions: Conflicts that arise when improving one feature of a system degrades another. For example, making a product stronger might make it heavier.
• Physical contradictions: When an object or system must have mutually exclusive properties, such as needing to be both hot and cold at the same time.

3. Inventive Principles

TRIZ provides 40 inventive principles that can be used to resolve contradictions. Some examples include:

• Segmentation: Divide an object into independent parts.
• Taking out: Separate an interfering part from the system.
• Asymmetry: Change the object’s shape from symmetrical to asymmetrical.
• Local quality: Make different parts of an object perform different functions.

4. The 9 Windows (System Operator)

TRIZ encourages thinkers to look at problems from multiple perspectives. The 9 Windows approach helps you analyze a system over time and scale by examining the problem on different levels (subsystem, system, supersystem) and at different points in time (past, present, future).

5. Ideal Final Result (IFR)

The Ideal Final Result is a key concept in TRIZ that helps teams envision the perfect solution, where the problem is solved without any downsides or costs. TRIZ encourages thinking beyond typical limitations and constraints.

6. TRIZ Tools

• Contradiction Matrix: A matrix that helps identify which of the 40 inventive principles should be applied to resolve a specific contradiction.
• Substance-Field Analysis: A tool to analyze and improve the interactions between components of a system.
• S-Curve Analysis: Helps identify where a system is in its lifecycle (early development, maturity, or decline) to guide the innovation strategy.

Benefits of TRIZ:

• Structured approach to creativity: It gives teams a systematic way to innovate instead of relying solely on brainstorming.
• Cross-industry applicability: The principles of TRIZ can be applied in any field of engineering or technology.
• Proven success: Since it is based on the analysis of successful inventions, it provides strategies that have worked in the past.

TRIZ is widely used in industries such as engineering, manufacturing, and product design to solve complex problems and enhance innovation.