TRIZ

TRIZ (ˈtriːz; теория решения изобретательских задач, ALA, literally theory of inventive problem solving) is an approach that combines an organized and systematic method for problem solving with analysis and forecasting techniques derived from the study of patterns of invention in the global patent literature. The development and improvement of products and technologies in accordance with TRIZ are guided by the objective laws of technical systems evolution, forming the basis for TRIZ problem solving tools and methods. It was developed by Genrich Altshuller, a Soviet inventor, and science-fiction author, along with his colleagues, starting in 1946. In English the name is typically rendered as the theory of inventive problem solving, and occasionally goes by the English acronym TIPS. Following Altshuller's insight, the theory developed on a foundation of extensive research covering hundreds of thousands of inventions across many different fields to produce an approach that defines generalizable patterns like inventive solutions and the distinguishing characteristics of the problems these inventions have overcome. The research has produced three primary findings: Problems and solutions are repeated across industries and sciences Patterns of technical evolution are also replicated across industries and sciences The innovations used scientific effects outside the field in which they were developed TRIZ practitioners apply all these findings to create and improve products, services, and systems. TRIZ in its classical form, was developed by the Soviet inventor and science fiction writer Genrich Altshuller and his associates. He started developing TRIZ in 1946 while working in the "Inventions Inspection" department of the Caspian Sea flotilla of the Soviet Navy. His job was to help with the initiation of invention proposals, to rectify and document them, and to prepare applications to the patent office. During this time, he realized that a problem requires an inventive solution if there is an unresolved contradiction in the sense that improving one parameter negatively impacts another.