TRIZ Technology for Innovative Engineering
(3-Day Workshop)

Learning Objectives:

This workshop will provide a practical method for enhancing engineering creativity. The method is based on the Theory or Inventive-Problem Solving (TRIZ in its Russian acronym), developed after thorough analysis of some 2.5 million inventions described in the world’s patent databases. TRIZ has been successfully applied to solve complex technological problems at Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Rockwell Automotive, UNISYS, Case Corporation, Ryobi, and many others.

This problem solving methodology will be taught through an interactive approach. Participants will get hands-on experience in solving various real-life problems and will receive a set of course notes describing TRIZ with numerous problems and their solutions. More than forty case studies from different fields of engineering will be analyzed in detail. Use of the Invention Machineä Labä software will be demonstrated.

Part of the time will be reserved for solving problems provided by the participants.

Who should attend?

Anyone who is involved with the development of new technology – engineering and R&D executives, project leaders, designers, researches, engineering consultants, inventors, patent lawyers – can benefit from learning this methodology.

What is TRIZ?

There are many techniques for solving routine engineering problems. Such systems as CAD, CAM and FEA substantially facilitate project development of r existing systems, but do not help in searching for novel breakthrough concepts. In the environment of fierce global competition, creative solutions are necessary for success.

Genrikh Altshuller developed TRIZ in the USSR. He discovered that different technological systems pass through the similar evolutionary stages and formulated the Laws of Technological System Evolution. These laws help to solve complex problems efficiently and economically.

Altshuller developed the Algorithm for Inventive-Problem Solving that allows one to better define problems and expeditiously find effective ways to resolve system conflicts causing the problems.

Application of TRIZ allows for breaking psychological inertia and, in many cases, results in breakthrough solutions to complex problems.

TRIZ also is extremely useful in developing next generation products (‘technological forecasting") as well as in patent fencing and in circumventing competitors’ patents.

Invention Machineä Labä software is a repository of many TRIZ techniques and 1,350 physical, chemical and geometric effects coupled with examples of their application. This software can effectively support the TRIZ concept development process.

What issues will be addressed?

• How to overcome psychological inertia and to direct the creative effort towards the most promising solutions
• How to define problems in the complex practical situation
• How to develop breakthrough concepts of solutions
• How to replace trade-off with real solutions satisfying all conflicting requirements
• How to maximize utilization of available resources
• How to visualize future evolution of your product or process
• How to build patent fences and circumvent competitors’ patents
• How to use TRIZ software packages
• How to implement TRIZ in your organization

Day One

8:00 a.m. – Noon

• Why we need a theory of invention. Demands of global competition. Importance of conceptual design. Conventional approaches – Trail-and-Error Method, Psychological Inertia.
• TRIZ – systematic, logical approach to solving complex engineering problems.
• Ideal Technological System, Ideal Solution.
• System Conflicts. Conflict Matrix. Application of Invention Machineä Labä software to resolving System Conflicts.
• Physical Contradictions. Methods for Resolving Physical Contradictions.
• Interactive solving of real-life problems by using basic concepts of TRIZ

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Interactive solving of real-life problems by using basic concepts of TRIZ (continuation).
• Substance-Filled Analysis – a means for modeling technological systems and their transformations.
• Standard Approaches to Inventive Problems (Standards) – a powerful set of tools for the most effective transformations of technological systems.
• Interactive training in using Standards for solving engineering problems
• Analysis of the problems brought by the participants.

Day Two

8:00 a.m. – Noon

• ARIZ – Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving, main analytical and solution tool of TRIZ
• Training in application of ARIZ to solving problems
• Combined application of ARIZ and Invention Machineä Labä software to solving problems.

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Continuation of interactive training in application of Standards to solving problems
• Interaction of the Standards and ARIZ
• Training in combined application of ARIZ and Standards to solving problems
• Solving of problems brought in by the participants.

Day Three

8:00 a.m. – Noon

• Knowledgebase of Engineering Application of Physical, Chemical, and Geometric Effects. Application of Invention Machineä Labä software to solving problems by using the Knowledgebase.
• Laws of Technological System Evolution
• Technological Forecasting
• Application of the Standards and the Laws of Technological System Evolution to conceptual development of next generation products and processes
• Application of the Laws of Technological Evolution to patent fencing and circumventing competitors’ patents

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Interactive application of ARIZ, Standards, and Invention Machineä Labä software to the participants’ problems
• Experience in implementation of TRIZ in the US industry. Optimal TRIZ deployment system for corporations and small businesses.
• Discussion