The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (Harrington, 2017; Altshuller, 1984, 2011; Gadd, 2011; Savransky, 2000; Altshuller et al., 1989) is a powerful tool for innovation and problem solving with practically limitless applications in the field of mechanical engineering. The abbreviated name, TRIZ, comes from a transliteration of the name in Russian, Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatel’skikh Zadach. The methodology is based on over 40 years of research into patterns and principles of creative thinking and problem solving, and has found successful application in numerous industries and fields. An extensive overview of TRIZ in science was conducted by Chechurin (2016), which gives quite comprehensive understanding of the field to date. One of the observations from the overview is that because of its complexity and versatility, TRIZ is often applied in its reduced version where only some parts are used (Chechurin, 2016, p. 161; Moehrle, 2005, p. 294). Even in its trimmed version, TRIZ acts as a strong instrument that helps finding numerous engineering solutions. Here, we provide rather surficial introduction to the approach. Next, we explore the definition and history of TRIZ, key principles of the methodology, and the main tools and techniques with a special attention paid to the introduction of the ARIZ.
Definition and history of Theory of Inventive Problem Solving
TRIZ is a systematic approach to innovation. The methodology was developed by the Soviet inventor and engineer Genrich Altshuller in the 1940s and 1950s. The approach is based on the idea that every (technical) problem can be solved by using a set of underlying principles, which Altshuller identified through an analysis of forty thousand patents and innovations. The result of the research is a set of tools and techniques that can be used to approach problems in a structured and systematic way, and to generate new ideas and solutions that are both innovative and practical. (Altshuller, 2011, pp. 126–127.)
As a systematic approach to systems, TRIZ builds on relations between the concepts about systems, its functions and ideality of a system. In TRIZ, a system is a number of interconnected elements with properties, which cannot be reduced to the properties of its parts (Altshuller et al., 1989, p. 18). As such, an “airplane” has the property of flying, yet none of its individual parts has it. Since a system is defined in terms of properties/functions, some of them are useful and some of the properties can unexpectedly turn to be harmful (Altshuller et al., 1989, p. 18). The goal is to reduce the harmful properties/functions while improving the useful functions. The degree to which the benefits exceed the costs and harmful effects determines the ideality of a system (Gadd, 2011, pp. 8–9, 429; Altshuller et al., 1989, p. 21).
Key concepts in TRIZ
At the core of TRIZ, there are three concepts that make this theory standout among other approaches to innovation: contradiction analysis, ideality search and pattern of evolution of systems (Ilevbare, Probert, & Phaal, 2013, pp. 31–32). First, TRIZ emphasizes the identification and elimination of contradictions within a system, which are the primary source of problems in a system. There are two types of contradictions in a mechanical system: the technical, which arise when an improvement of one attribute leads to decline of another, and the physical, when a system is required to perform under opposing physical states (Ilevbare, Probert, & Phaal, 2013, p. 31). The solutions can be found by exploiting the existing physical, chemical, or technological principles of a system often combining existing resources in new ways. Second, TRIZ builds around the principle of ideality, which is an abstract measure of how much a machine approaches the concept of an “ideal machine,” where its components perform at the maximum efficiency (Altshuller, 2011, p. 19). Maximization of ideality is achieved by maximization of desired effects and minimization of undesired ones by increasing useful outputs, reducing resource use, and/or minimizing waste (Ilevbare, Probert, & Phaal, 2013, p. 32). An ideal solution is, therefore, the one where the function is fulfilled with minimal or no system presence. Third, TRIZ considers the Trends of Engineering System Evolution (TESE), which suggest that systems tend to evolve from simpler, tangible forms to more complex employing various physical fields (e.g. electromagnetic field) and eventually to those that replace mechanics with fields (Ilevbare, Probert, & Phaal, 2013, p. 32). This evolutionary perspective encourages leveraging the system’s existing physical, chemical, and technological principles and creatively recombining existing ideas to uncover novel solutions.
One of the rules of thumb in TRIZ is that a positive result has to be achieved with minimal changes to the existing system (Altshuller, 2011, p. 52). Thus, the improvement requires minimal or preferably no changes to the upper-level of a system. Any solutions that lead to decrease in ideality or increase in complexity of a system disregarding the fit considerations can be acceptable, but undesirable.
Overview of the main tools and techniques
The key principles have their expression in the tools and techniques of TRIZ, which are quite many in number. Just as there are many principles, the number of main tools is also rather long. To help put these principles into practice, the developer of TRIZ allows the use of tools randomly if they lead to a result, yet the effectiveness is achieved when the tools are applied systematically.
Ilevbare and colleagues have gathered and summarized the tools and techniques of TRIZ as it is listed below (Ilevbare, Probert, & Phaal, 2013, p. 32; Altshuller et al., 1989, pp. 86–138):
- Patterns of evolution of technical systems. It is a tool for recognizing directions of technology development (Ghane, Ang, Cavallucci, Kadir, Ng, & Sorooshian, 2022, pp. 2–5; Altshuller, 1996, pp. 35–36; Altshuller et al., 1989, pp. 24–33, 59–60). This concept is instrumental in structuring the designer’s perspective in such way, that facilitates creative thinking based on the universal trends and laws of systems’ development.
- Nine windows framework is commonly referred to as “inventive system thinking or system operator or as to a multi-screen diagram of thinking” (Bukhman, 2021, pp. 11–15; Ilevbare, Probert, & Phaal, 2013, p. 32; Savransky, 2000, pp. 173–174). It helps to structure a problem or a technical system by examining its broader context within which it functions (environment) and the specific components within the system itself. Nine windows framework helps understanding the evolution of the problem’s context and internal details may evolve over time pointing to the potential solution.
- Ideal Final Result and ideality is an arbitrary perspective that aims at presenting the system and the parts of it performing at the ultimate possible capacity, at the edge of the ideal, which is expressed in a performed function with no system at place (Altshuller, 1996, pp. 70, 106).
- Contradiction matrix is a tool comprising of 39 technical parameters organized along both vertical and horizontal axis to represent their interactions (Savransky, 2000, pp. 230–232). Its primary purpose is to point to the applicable inventive principles for resolving appropriate technical contradictions (Altshuller, 1996, p. 15).
- 40 inventive principles are a selection of conceptual solutions to technical and physical contradictions (Savransky, 2000, pp. 204–221; Altshuller et al., 1989, pp. 285–292). These principles are used together with the contradiction matrix. (See more in Appendix 4 (Standard Inventive Principles)).
- 76 Standard solutions are used for finding system problems without identification of contradictions (Savransky, 2000, pp. 259–265, 365–367; Altshuller, 1996, pp. 162–167; Altshuller et al., 1989, pp. 294–296). These solutions are typically employed to resolve the undesirable interactions between the elements of a system.
- Effects database is a catalogue of approximately 2500 natural effects designated to problem solving with a proven record from which an engineer can draw a solution (see a short list example in Savransky, 2000, pp. 351–359). Being extracted from about 10 000 effects described in scientific literature, the effects from physics, chemistry, biology or geometry gathered in one place simplify the search for a solution (Savransky, 2000, p. 153).
- Separation heuristics serve as a method for analyzing and resolving point or physical contradictions by identifying solutions from the set from applicable inventive principles – 1) separation in time, 2) separation in space, 3) separation upon condition and 4) separation between the part and a whole (Savransky, 2000, pp. 243–249).
- Fitting or “Step-back from IFR” technique is a step-back from the conceptual and unattainable IFR to a realistic and robust ‘strong’ solution that aligns with the constraints of the required conditions (Altshuller, 1996, p. 71).
- Function analysis is a tool for mapping interactions between the system components and for identification of problems appearing as a result of such interactions (Savransky, 2000, pp. 45–49).
- S-Field analysis is similar to function analysis but with primary focus on the identification of interactions between the substances (matter) and various fields, helping in systematically mapping out the entire system and pinpointing problems at a fundamental level (Altshuller, 1996, pp. 40, 44; Altshuller et al., 1989, pp. 88–98).
- System resources analysis is a methodical search, analysis, and mapping of resources both inside and outside the system in a given problem situation enabling its successive use in a solution that closely approaches the IFR (Savransky, 2000, pp. 83–88; Altshuller et al., 1989, p. 49).
- Creativity tools are techniques designed to overcome psychological inertia, which is a product mental lateral rigidity and developed thinking habits, that hinders innovation and further progress (Altshuller, 1996, pp. 95, 100–102).
- Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving is a structured sequence of steps that organizes the application of some of the introduced above TRIZ tools to develop solutions and innovations. It is particularly effective for addressing complex and challenging problems, especially within the field of mechanical engineering. It is a complex tool that requires more detailed introduction, which one finds in the Appendix 3 (Steps of the Algorithm for Inventive Problem-Solving).
TRIZ is a tool and just as any tool it is at its best in a certain focused area of application. Such area of strength for TRIZ application is faster ideation for problem solving especially in those domains where a solution comes from fundamental sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology). On many occasions, the author of TRIZ admits and separates the practical application of TRIZ to primarily idea/solution generation as the most challenging step in any product design. Simultaneously, the actual implementation of the solution in a mechanical design is the next step, where designers and engineers shape the generated “ideal” solution in a form and function.