Creative Problem Solving for Technical People : Using TRIZ Techniques (TM185-120-0)

SynopsisThe innovation process is laden with a myriad of problems that need to be resolved at every step for the new project to take form and make it to the market. Trial and error or other conventional approaches to problem solving simply do not work. Creative problem solving in product design, manufacturing, sourcing, marketing and distribution of the new product is an imperative for competitive leverage. The creators of TRIZ analyzed thousands of successful innovations and discovered the principles for creative problem solutions. TRIZ is the outcome of 2,000 person-years of research into the fundamentals of the creative process. It is the only method and toolkit capable of generating breakthrough solutions to problems both at system/enterprise level as well as the product level.

TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) can provide a company the essential competitive edge by:

• Timely and efficiently resolving design and production problems
• Reducing product and process development cycles
• Enabling you to be one step ahead of the competition

Participants are encouraged to bring their unsolved problems to class to be used as case studies.

This two-day workshop will teach participants the fundamentals of TRIZ- possibly the most powerful methodology for developing innovative solutions to problems. Participants will learn TRIZ methods and tools and receive hands-on experience in solving various real-life complex product and process development problems taken from various engineering disciplines.


What previous participants say about this course
Answers to the question 'what did you like most about the course'

• "Brain storming tools-how to use/apply conditions matrix on finding a suitable or idea solutions"- 14 Jan 09
• "It introduces a concept that is very new to me that is very interesting and potentially useful"- 14 Jan 09
• "Stimulate creative thinking. Good examples/workshops"- 14 Jan 09
• "Example given (not only/purely theory)"- 14 Jan 09
• "Direct application of TRIZ to existing problem"- 6 Apr 09
• "New method of problem solving using contradiction matrix"- 6 Apr 09
• "Providing a different perspective of problem solving"- 6 Apr 09
• "Depth of information"- 6 Apr 09

What You Will Learn

• Correctly define complex problems
• Replace trade-offs with innovative solutions satisfying all conflicting requirements
• Reduces time and money required to solve technical problems
• Generates simple, elegant and creative breakthrough solutions
• Overcome psychological barriers
• Develop a bank of intellectual property that can be strategically leveraged
• Create a comprehensive vision of future possibilities
• Make the right decisions more effectively, quickly and easily
• Define strategic directions for investment
• Predict competitors - developments
• Simplify a system
• Provide objective evaluation of technical alternatives
• Organize, improve and greatly expedite the process of conceptual design

Who Should AttendDesigners, Engineers, Scientists, Researchers Managers and Directors involved with new product, new process or technology development:

• Project managers
• Engineering consultants
• Patent lawyers
• knowledge managers
• Operations Managers
• Solution architect
• Process experts

PrerequisiteInterest in R&D knowledge and desire to acquire better conceptual understanding in this area. Technical background in engineering or physics at degree or higher level would be desirable.

Course MethodologyPresentation / Team exercises for knowledge dissemination case studies & group discussion for exposure to real life issues demonstrating actual use of tools will be used.

Course Duration2 day, 9am-5pm

Course StructureDay 1
Defining The Situation From perceived problem to problem definition

• Big Picture Overview - TRIZ Foundations
• Psychological Inertia
• Function Analysis - identifying interactions of the system
• Space-Time Interface - Identifying the system environment
• Ideal Final Result - Identifying the ideal outcome
• Contradiction Elimination - the 40 known strategies for breakthrough solutions Team exercises and case studies

Day 2
Breakthrough Solutions TRIZ solution generation tools

• Contradiction Elimination (Cont) - Physical contradictions
• Trends of Evolution - the trends of business and technical system evolution
• Resources - identifying and exploiting the untapped resources in any system
• Perceptions and False Givens. Things that get us into trouble
• Putting It all together - a complete start-to-finish innovation process Team exercises and case studies