History and nature of TRIZ

Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) is a methodology for innovative solutions, in which the creative process is controllable and not chaotic. This approach allows us to solve creative problems by using special laws, practices, policies, and tools.

Application of TRIZ helps to develop creative (inventive) thinking and creative personality qualities, making it possible to look at objects and phenomena in a new way. TRIZ is able to find non-trivial, fundamentally new high level solutions that increase the efficiency of creative work. TRIZ was developed by a Soviet scientist and inventor named Genrich Altshuller. He was also a science fiction writer under the pen name of Henry Altov. Altshuller first realized the need to create a technique that enables us to abandon the "trial and error" method and guides us towards seeking a solution.

History and nature of TRIZ

G. S. Altshuller analyzed tens of thousands of patents and formulated the basic TRIZ postulates:

1. Technology develops naturally. The laws of technical system evolutionare used in solving problems and developing systems

2. Any inventive problem can be classified by the type of problem along with selection of type of solution

3. In order to solve complex inventive problems, it is necessary to identify and resolve the contradiction that is embedded in the problem

TRIZ postulates that there is a fundamental difference between routine thinking and inventive thinking.

While routine thinking is finding a compromise i.e. improvement in some parameters at the expense of others; the inventive thinking reveals the contradiction that is embedded in the problem. The root causes that give rise to this contradiction is determined by aggravating and intensifying the contradiction. We get the results without the disadvantages by resolving the contradiction.