Systematic Innovation
TRIZ, Southbeach, and OpenAgile:Tools and Theories
for Inventive Problem Solving
By Joshua S. Weinstein
Qingdao Business Leaders (QBL)September 2010
Innovation and Problem Solving
Necessity is the mother of invention, and inventive problem solving is the source of many radical innovations.
“TRIZ” incorporates several theories for Inventive Problem Solving that came from studying 40,000 “inventive” patents for common patterns and themes.
It has been used extensively by consultants and companies in Russia, Europe, the USA, and Korea (Samsung & LG since 1996)
TRIZ provides ...
For creative problem solving,TRIZ helps us: understand the problem as a system, imagine the ideal solution first, and solve contradictions.
Form Ideal Vision
Now let’s systematically brainstorm some innovations! Grab your pencil & paper.
What is your favorite multimedia products or service?
• What are the most useful features?• What are harmful or wasteful features
that should be eliminated?• How could we reduce the size, mass, or
energy required by the product?
Example Answers
Including liked and disliked features:• The iPod shuffle:
small, portable, and easy to usebut can be expensive.
• Video on Demand or Bittorrent:can conveniently download movies
• Big-screen TV's:large viewing area but not portable
Use TRIZ to eliminate Contradictions
Now combine these features into a product description and begin eliminating contradictions as they arise.
Example contradiction: large viewing area and portability.
Solution: Create a patent on a thin, bendable HDTV
Alternatives
Is there a quicker, more visual way to come up with some of those solutions and innovatively solve problems?
YES: Southbeach Notation can be used. It is less technical and more visual and incorporates many of the core ideas from TRIZ.
Southbeach Notation
• Southbeach is a visual presentation of the effects & usefulness of components on each other.
SWOT
Problem Solving Template
Ideally ... (goal) but the problem is ...We believe the problem is caused by ...Therefore we are using this countermeasure
to offset the causes & problems.As a result we get (benefit).
From studies of how Toyota solves problems
Ideally ... (goal) but the problem is ...We believe the problem is caused by ...Therefore we are using this countermeasure
to offset the causes & problems.As a result we get (benefit).
Useful vs. HarmfulProduces: , Counteracts:
Problem Solving Template
Applied to Toyota today
Ideally Toyota has good PR and strong salesbut the problem is brake system failures
causing recalls and bad PRWe believe the problem is caused by ...
electronic accelerator pedals quality issuesTherefore we are ____________________
to offset the causes & problems.As a result we have higher quality + reliability
+ Useful features- Harmful features
• How can we DECREASE OR ELIMINATE the Possible Causes?
• How can we have the Possible Causes CREATE LESS Problems?
• How can we have the Countermeasures CREATE MORE Benefits?
• How can we have the Benefits PRODUCE MORE QUICKLY the Ideal Goal?
Applied to Toyota
• How can we DECREASE OR ELIMINATE the brake system failures?
• How can we have the pedal quality issues CREATE LESS brake system failures?
• How can we have the Countermeasures CREATE MORE quality & reliability?
• How can we have the higher quality + reliability PRODUCE MORE QUICKLY the better PR and strong sales?
Learning Mode RequiredProblem solving and innovation require:• Planning• Good teamwork• Good communication across departments• Frank reflection on successes and failures• An active learning environmentIs there a business process which addresses
those needs? Yes: OpenAgile!
Increased Productivity + Efficiency, Lower CostsLearningRemoving Obstacles
Respond to Change, More ControlShort CyclesOrganic Growth
Better Team SpiritKeeping CommitmentsAlways Learning
OpenAgile Process Overview
Benefits of OpenAgile
✔
SCRUM (predecessor to OpenAgile) has been used by:
• Microsoft• Yahoo• Google• Electronic Arts• Lockheed Martin• Philips• Siemens• Nokia• IBM• Capital One• BBC
• Intuit• Nielsen Media• First American Real
Estate• BMC Software• John Deere• Lexis Nexis• Sabre• Salesforce.com• Time Warner• Turner Broadcasting
M o u n ta in G o a t S o f tw a r e , L L C
Industries using one TRIZ groupAerospace & Defense: Raytheon, SAABAutomotive: Autoliv, Bosch, Chrysler, Delphi, Detroit Diesel,
Eaton, Ford, International Truck & Engine, Magna, Siemens Automotive, Takata, TRW, Yazaki North America
Chemicals: Borden Chemical Computer Software: EDS, Intuit Consumer Products: Clorox, Kodak, Whirlpool Food: Mars Industrial Manufacturing: ABB, ITT Industries, JI Case,
Ryobi, United Technologies Telecommunications: Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia Tire & Rubber: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Academia: USA (MIT), Sweden, Japan, Israel, UK, Italy, …
TRIZ is ...
• Technology oriented• Identifies trends in evolution of technical
systems (ideality)• A hierarchical search system
from target functions to technical means• Outlines 40 “Principles of Invention”• Provides a Methodology for problem
solving
TRIZ S-Curve in Korea
http://www.osaka-gu.ac.jp/php/nakagawa/TRIZ/eTRIZ/epapers/e2010Papers/eKWLeeTRIZSymp2009/E15eS-Lee(Korea)-090831-TN091212.pdf
Analysis: SONY Walkman
• Minimize Cost• Reliability• Efficiency• Intensification• Stabilization• Realize
Primary Function
Technological Evolution Patterns 1. Stages of Evolution (product lifecycle: birth → decline) 2. Evolution toward Increased Ideality (Σ useful ÷ Σ harmful)
3. Non-Uniform Development of System Elements (Contradictions): eliminate "bottleneck" sub-systems
4. Evolution toward Increased Dynamism and Controllability
5. Increased Complexity Then Simplification 6. Evolution with Matching and Mismatching Elements 7. Evolution toward Micro-level and Increased Use of
Fields (Resources) 8. Evolution toward Decreased Human Involvement
Systematic Innovation
TRIZ, Southbeach, and OpenAgile:Tools and Theories
for Inventive Problem Solving
Please email me if you would like to redistribute this file:
About Joshua S. Weinstein Most of the Companies I've worked
for have been between 6 months and 6 years old.
Worked in Silicon Valley 1996-2002 doing programming, product marketing, and consulting
Taught “High Tech” Style Design Patterns, Java and Extreme Programming in Xi'an
ERP and Software Consulting for Maple Tree Business Solutions as Director of Technology Development
Currently Director of Support Services at Grease Monkey China
If you have any questions or comments, contact me at [email protected]