TRIZ Models & Tools :

TRIZ Tool : Structured Problem Solving

What is Structured Problem Solving?

Structured problem solving provides a systematic approach to advance from the identification of a problem to the solution.

Step-by-Step Process

1.    Define Problem :

Purpose

•       Identify the problem and the importance of working on it

Output

•       Establish a team

•       Develop Problem Statement

2.    Current Solution :

Purpose

•       Clarify the problem areas as the situation exists today

Output

•       Create a problem description

3.    Identify Causes :

Purpose

•       Identify and verify the root causes of the problem

Output

•       Isolate and verify the root cause of the problem

4.    Develop Solution :

Purpose

•       Develop and test solutions to eliminate the root cause

Output

•       Fix the problem at the root cause level

•       Generate no additional problems

5.    Implement Solution :

Purpose

•       Implement and validate corrective actions

Output

•       Implementation plan, risks and barriers identified

•       Validate that corrective action is working

6.    Standardize Solution :

Purpose

•       Ensure that improvements are sustained over time

Output

•       Solutions proliferated to similar equipment and processes

7.    Next Steps :

Purpose

•       Evaluate accomplishments and lessons learned

Output

•       Document post-mortem

•       Update documentation

•       Publish report and findings

What is a Contradiction?

Contradiction is the opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas

                        The Contradiction Matrix

•     Also known as Altshuller’s Matrix.

•     Used to generate potential Inventive Principles based on the improving and worsening parameters from the Engineering Contradiction.

•     As for Physical Contradictions, there is an algorithm in terms of a set of questions to guide the user to determine which option to use.

•     Once option chosen, a list of inventive Principles can be referenced as 

    potential solutions.

                        Physical Contradiction

•     Physical Contradiction is applied when we are dealing with contradiction s with a single parameter or manipulative variable, which creates a contradiction at two different values.

Examples:

•     Airplane wing needs to have large surface for easy takeoff and small surface for fast speeds.

•     Airplane landing gear needs to be present during landing but does not need to be present during flight to reduce wind resistance.

•     Login form for user access web system need to be present but does not need once user’s already logged to account.

The physical contradictions can be solved through the following methods:

   i.   Separation in Space, Time, Relation System Level

 ii.   Satisfaction

iii.   Bypass