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.

The basic model for problem solving in TRIZ

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

Full Model (Overview)

Number of Solutions / Time

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

Visual Problem Solving

+ 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!

OpenAgile Process Overview

Work Cycle

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

S-curves

CreativeLeap

Time

Ideality

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:

josher19@gmail.com

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 josher19@gmail.com