TRIZ and Related Software: How to maximize their impact on your organization

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Luke Pierce
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1 TRIZ and Related Software: How to maximize their impact on your organization Stevens Institute of Technology November 29, 2001 Victor Fey The TRIZ Group, LLC The TRIZ Group, LLC 1

2 Related Background 24 years of TRIZ research, teaching, and application. Worked with TechOptimizer, IWB, and other like products. Trained resellers of some of these products in TRIZ. Dealt with numerous users of these products in the U.S. and overseas. Have no commercial ties with the software vendors The TRIZ Group, LLC 2

3 Typical Inquiries We ve decided to implement TRIZ in our organization. Which software TechOptimizer or IBW should we acquire? Manager, New Technologies, Management Consulting Company, Norway We look for the best way to train our leading technologists in TRIZ. Which software could be of most help? Director, Strategic Systems, Telecommunication Equipment Producer, Canada I want to train my engineers in TRIZ. The goal is to institutionalize this methodology. What software product would you recommend? Director, Product Development, Power Supplies Manufacturer, USA 2001 The TRIZ Group, LLC 3

4 Premises Innovation comes from creative individuals. TRIZ is a very powerful enhancer of one s analytical skills and creative imagination. TRIZ thought processes are key to effective use of this methodology. TRIZ-based software may be very helpful if it is used to support these thought processes, not to replace them The TRIZ Group, LLC 4

5 Common Laments and Remedy Obviously, TRIZ is very powerful, but it d take long to be an adept in it. Attendee of a one-day TRIZ seminar [TRIZ] is often difficult to use despite its potential power. From the invitation letter to this symposium TRIZ-based software is intended to dramatically slash the time needed to master the methodology The TRIZ Group, LLC 5

6 Is This Situation Unique? If calculus were invented today, none of our corporations could learn it. We d send everyone off to the three-day course. We d then give them three months to try it out and see if it worked. After it had failed, we d conclude that it was of little value and move on to something else. From The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge 2001 The TRIZ Group, LLC 6

7 Can TRIZ Software Alone Succeed? Commanding a vast vocabulary doesn t make one a novelist. Knowledge of all formulae of mathematics doesn t make one a mathematician. Having all information on TRIZ handy isn t enough to make one a TRIZ practitioner. To use TRIZ tools effectively, one should possess of a TRIZ thought process The TRIZ Group, LLC 7

8 TRIZ as a Thought Process TRIZ is usually perceived as a most powerful problem-solving methodology. However, one of the most important impacts of TRIZ is in changing mentality of its adopters. It is often underestimated that TRIZ is also mindset, not just a collection of powerful solution techniques The TRIZ Group, LLC 8

9 TRIZ Helps Us Think Creatively Creative imagination Ribot, 1906 Altshuller, c Influence of TRIZ Age, in years 2001 The TRIZ Group, LLC 9

10 What TRIZ Students Say... Great process of thinking! I feel like I have an advantage over conventional thinkers in the workplace now! New way of thinking forces one to not get caught up in typical thinking of experts. It is the first course on how to think, which is tremendous tool to have. Very interesting course, very challenging due to its different mental methodology. Simplification of thought process, challenging of conventional engineering approach The TRIZ Group, LLC 10

11 TRIZ Thinking Main dividends from the TRIZ training: Development of a structured, systemic thinking Ability to control one s thought process Ability to easily break psychological inertia Ability to perform unusual mental operations By and large, these qualities provide for effective analysis and solving of complex technological problems The TRIZ Group, LLC 11

12 Never The Twain Shall Meet Two main vehicles for deploying TRIZ in corporations: Training in TRIZ-based software Training in TRIZ fundamentals and analytical methods (i.e., setting up a mindset) Usually these vehicles are used separately, which reduces effectiveness of both of them The TRIZ Group, LLC 12

13 What Makes TRIZ Software Good? Fast access to a vast collection of TRIZ concepts, techniques and examples. Very vast and structured database of physical effects and their potential technological applications. Problem modeling means. Convenient to use in a team environment. Report generation means The TRIZ Group, LLC 13

14 What Makes TRIZ Software Limited? These products do not necessarily support the TRIZ thought processes 2001 The TRIZ Group, LLC 14

15 Introducing TRIZ Via Software Beginning... Firm learns about TRIZ A software product is bought and training, primarily in this product, ensues Instructor helps trainees solve the firm s old technological problem. Everybody s excited! 2001 The TRIZ Group, LLC 15

16 Introducing TRIZ Via Software Middle of the Road... The software vendor helps the firm solve a few more vexing technological problems. Excitement grows! The firm is confident in both TRIZ and the software product and lets the vendor go. Former trainees try to solve problems on their own. More flops than feats. Confusion develops The TRIZ Group, LLC 16

17 Introducing TRIZ Via Software Finale... TRIZ!!! TRIZ!!! TRIZ!!! Well, perhaps it s time to learn TRIZ beyond software The management gradually stops supporting further TRIZ deployment... Few enthusiasts still strive to rekindle the interest in TRIZ, but meet either indifference or resistance... Well, perhaps TRIZ is good, but it didn t work out in our company 2001 The TRIZ Group, LLC 17

18 Introducing TRIZ in a Corporation A better way TRIZ related Projects Training in TRIZ fundamentals Pilot TRIZ Project Training in TRIZ Software Advanced TRIZ Training Forming a User Group 2001 The TRIZ Group, LLC 18

19 Conclusions TRIZ software products provide viable support for the breakthrough technology development. These products are most effective if the users have a solid background in TRIZ analytical methods (thought processes). Developing TRIZ softpower should be accompanied by growth of TRIZ brainpower The TRIZ Group, LLC 19

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