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The word systematic conjures up the image of sequential activities that can be
performed repeatedly to yield a desired result. Innovation has an
association with creativity, which frequently implies unpredictable and
erratic processes. Despite this, the term "systematic innovation" is not an
oxymoron. The pillar of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) is
the realization that contradictions can be methodically resolved through the
application of innovative solutions. This is one of three premises upon which
the theory is built: 1) the ideal design is a goal, 2) contradictions help solve
problems, and 3) the innovative process can be structured systematically.
The assumption that we cannot harness and control innovative processes is not only
limiting, but also incorrect. Inspiration need not be random. TRIZ
practitioners continually demonstrate that applying common solutions for
the resolution of contradictions, identified as effective when applied to
parallel problem in the world patent base, radically improves the design of
systems and products. Once a problem is structured as a contradiction,
methods exist for resolving that contradiction. These methods are evolving
rapidly and are more widely available. Key to understanding why
systematic innovation is possible is understanding the common solutions
among the innovative world patents.
Traditional processes for increasing creativity have a major flaw in that their
usefulness decreases as the complexity of the problem increases. At some
point, the trial and error method is used in every process, and the number
of necessary trials increases with the difficulty of the inventive problem.
Some solutions may even require more than one generation of problem
solvers. It was Altshullers quest to facilitate the resolution of difficult
inventive problems and pass the process for this facilitation on to other
people. His determination to improve the inventive process led to the
creation of TRIZ.
In 1946, Altshuller decided that he must create a new science for the theory of
invention. His achievements during this period were staggering. Within two
years he established a foundation for TRIZ by studying thousands of
authors certificates. These three-page documents consisted of a cover sheet,
a one-page sketch and a one-page description of the invention. This simple
format made it easy to identify underlying patterns of the inventive process.
Altshuller and his childhood friend, Ralph Shapiro, identified patterns frequently
used in the more innovative patents. They defined five levels of creativity
based upon: how remote the knowledge used for the solution concept was
from the inventors field, the theoretical number of trials to a solution, the
distance of the solution from the problem, and how substantial the change
was from the original design to the solution.
During the next decades, Altshullers results attracted professionals from many
disciplines who adopted, adapted and expanded his methodology.
Applications in the real world advanced and verified the theory. Methods
for solving problems improved. TRIZ methodology was applied to problems
in science, business, management and other areas. As TRIZ became a
vehicle for creative education, it also became the subject of newspaper and
magazine articles, books, and a regularly scheduled TV show for children.
Despite these difficulties, a strong and loyal following continued to grow. During the
1970s, translations of Altshullers books and articles circulated in Germany
and Poland, eventually reaching Japan, the USA, and other Western
countries. Development of TRIZ in the Soviet Union accelerated after
Gorbachevs Perestroika. Private companies were ready to use TRIZ for
solving complicated technical management issues and other problems
because they could see the advantage it gave them in a free-market
economy.
By 1985, Altshuller had written over 14 books. Only two of Altshullers books have
been translated into English. Altshullers key findings are explained in these
books, which reflect his study of over 200,000 patents, focusing on 40,000
identified as containing the most innovative solutions.
TRIZ practitioners estimate that over two million patents worldwide have now been
reviewed to identify patterns and regularities that contribute to the further
refinement of TRIZ. The tools developed under Altshuller's leadership are:
40 Principles 1946-1971
ARIZ 1959-1985
The different schools for TRIZ and individual practitioners have continued to
improve and add to the methodology.
Two philosophically different software packages exist today to reduce the time
needed to solve innovative problems successfully. One has been developed
by Valery Tsourikov of The Invention Machine in Boston, Massachusetts,
and the other by Zlotin and Zusman for Ideation International in
Southfield, Michigan. This text is software free; it will help you solve
design/inventive problems independent of any software, and it complements
either software package.
Degree of Inventiveness
Levels of Innovation
Between 1964 and 1974, patents under review were evaluated to determine relative
frequencies for the levels of innovation. Percentages given here are from
that period. More recent evaluations are not available to check these
numbers.
This evolution within the laser industry illustrates that a solutions level of
inventiveness is time-dependent. Altshuller focused his investigation on the
principles used in Level 2, 3 and 4 solutions. Level 1 solutions were ignored
because they need not be innovative. Because Level 5 solutions require
understanding a new natural phenomenon, there were no recognizable
parallels among these inventions. Altshuller believed he could help anyone
develop Level 2, 3 and 4 innovations. His desire to develop this system of
invention inspired the study of hundreds of thousands of patents. Through
this effort, Altshuller initially identified 40 principles used consistently to
resolve technical contradictions.
Inventions involving Levels 1, 2 and 3 are usually transferable from one discipline to
another. This means that 95% of the inventive problems in any particular
field have already been solved in some other field.
Researchers have their favorite directions for investigation, and these generally look
like a line vector located within or near their specialties. Since all
professionals have some knowledge in other disciplines, the line vector is
more accurately a cone that encompasses pieces of other disciplines in the
accepted search region. Psychological inertia influences researchers to move
in the same direction as they have on successful project searches in the past.
Brainstorming may improve the branching but not go in the direction of the
solution.
Psychological inertia also recalls the joke about a person looking for his or her car
keys under a street light. A stranger offers to help and asks where the keys
were lost. The cars owner responds, "They were dropped in the shadows
by the car, but the light is better here." If you look in the wrong place,
innovative concepts will not be found. Processes that encourage creativity
provide many branches radiating from one technological direction, but do
not access solutions that exist in another technology. Of course, this depends
upon team composition. The above demonstrates the futility of looking in
the wrong direction. No matter how sophisticated a process you use, it will
not find a concept outside the area of research.
While searching the patent fund, Altshuller recognized that the same fundamental
problem (contradiction) had been addressed by a number of inventions in
different areas of technology. This was more apparent if the problem was
presented in technology-free terminology. He also observed that the same
fundamental solutions were used over and over again, and that the
implementations were often separated by many years. If some means of
accessing the applications of these fundamental solutions were available to
inventors, the number of years between applications would decrease. Thus,
the innovation process becomes more efficient, the time between
improvements is reduced and the technology line separating different
disciplines is crossed more often. Let us explore several inventions that all
used the same principlea concept that was not initially considered by a
diamond manufacturer.
For more information check out Glenn Mazur's page on Algorithm for Inventive Problem
Solving (ARIZ)
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