Having just recently returned from the Fourth TRIZ Symposium in Japan, I find the result of our latest innovation poll very interesting. Over 40% of us rate TRIZ as very effective and highly important. Yet, almost one out of four of us have never even heard of TRIZ. So, what is TRIZ, and how is it that so many haven’t heard of this innovation method that so many believe is so important?
TRIZ (pronounced treez) is a problem solving methodology. The name, TRIZ, is an acronym from the original Russian name roughly meaning the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving. Developed by Genrich Altshuller, TRIZ provides a framework for exploring the nature of a problem and finding an inventive solution. By studying patent literature as a model of how inventors looked at problems, Altshuller identified a number of tools that can be applied by the innovation practitioner.
Over the years, I have seen many stunning cases of great innovative solutions that have been found through the application of TRIZ. Practitioners who have experienced this success often credit the richness of the TRIZ tool set and its built in out of the box thinking models. With mysterious names such as nine screens, ARIZ, ideality, inventive principles just to name a few, the skilled TRIZ practitioner has many ways to reshape a problem into new paradigms of expression that opens doors to new paths of solution creation. TRIZ also draws heavily of the concept that most inventive solutions are already known, you only need identify them. As a result, the methodology can be greatly complemented through technology. (This was the topic of my talk at the TRIZ Symposium.)
So if TRIZ is such a useful tool for innovators, why are so many unaware of it? Sadly while many innovation workers view themselves as change agents, most people don’t actually want to change. This paradox prevents many from exploring TRIZ. TRIZ demands that the practitioner think differently; it demands that you follow new paths to find the truly creative idea that will provide the inventive, differentiated solution you seek. This can be an uncomfortable road to follow for many.
However, as our survey indicates, many of us have travelled the TRIZ road with strong results. It is estimate that roughly 1% of the world’s engineers have been exposed to TRIZ. If you are among those who haven’t heard of it, perhaps you should look into it; if you are among those who find it occasionally useful, perhaps you should ask what others are doing to achieve their broader success.
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