TRIZ Model

The theory developed on a foundation of extensive research covering hundreds of thousands of inventions across many different fields to produce a theory which defines generalisable patterns in the nature of inventive solutions and the distinguishing characteristics of the problems that these inventions have overcome

Starts by 1946, His work on what later resulted in TRIZ was interrupted in 1950 by his arrest and sentencing to 25 years.

Altshuller and Shapiro were freed during the Khrushchev Thaw following Stalin's death in 1953 [7] and returned to Baku.

By 1969, Altshuller had reviewed about 40,000 patent abstracts in order to find out in what way the innovation had taken place and developed the concept of technical contradictions, the concept of ideality of a system, contradiction matrix, and 40 principles of invention.

From 1986 Altshuller switched his attention away from technical TRIZ, and started investigating the development of individual creativity. He also developed a version of TRIZ for children, which was trialled in various schools.[11] In 1989 the TRIZ Association was formed, with Altshuller chosen as President.

Following the end of the Cold War, the waves of emigrants from the former Soviet Union brought TRIZ to other countries and drew attention to it overseas.[12] In 1995 the Altshuller Institute for TRIZ Studies was established in Boston, USA.

In 1998, Oxford Creativity was launched by Karen Gadd, using a new teaching and learning style designed to make TRIZ tools and principles more accessible for everyone known as Oxford TRIZ, which was trademarked in 2013.

3. TRIZ hypothesis?

-Ideal solution is the final target result

-Contradictions play the key role in problem solving

-Innovation is a systematic process

So when you have a problem, you have at least one contradiction, and when you try to resolve it, you may have a negative results in different areas, and then, you should look for ideality equation.

4. Who applies TRIZ?

Most of international brands in different sectors has applied the TRIZ in their research and innovation process.

As the following image can summarize:

Automotive
Medical
Oil and Gas
Technology
Optics
Electronics

And on the other hand, We can't see that approach on the middle east, specially arab nations, that suffer the low budget of research and innovation mindset

5. TRIZ Principle

Now TRIZ has 40 principles of invention, generated accumelatively.

Summary of the 40 Principals:

1. Segmentation

2. Extraction (Extracting, Retrieving, Removing)

3. Local Quality

4. Asymmetry

5. Consolidation

6. Universality

7. Nesting (Matrioshka)

8. Counterweight

9. Prior Counteraction

10. Prior Action

11. Cushon in Advance

12. Equipotentiality

13. Do It in Reverse

14. Spheroidality

15. Dynamicity

16. Partial or Excessive Action

17. Transition Into a New Dimension

18. Mechanical Vibration

19. Periodic Action

20. Continuity of Useful Action

21. Rushing Through

22. Convert Harm Into Benefit

23. Feedback

24. Mediator

25. Self-service

26. Copying

27. Dispose

28. Replacement of Mechanical System

29. Pneumatic or Hydraulic Constructions

30. Flexible Membranes or Thin Films

31. Porous Material

32. Changing the Color

33. Homogeneity

34. Rejecting and Regenerating Parts

35. Transformation of Properties

36. Phase Transition

37. Thermal Expansion

38. Accelerated Oxidation

39. Inert Environment

40. Composite Materials

Application of TRIZ in software engineering

Innovation is an abstracted theory, independant than its practices, so it can be applied on all domains, even relegions, in the areas that mental operations can be applied.

As a conclusiin, we can't apply all of the principles, as some of rhem depends on the use of matetial and conditions, which not related to our type of engineering.

All decisions alternatives should be measured using the ideality.

Ideality is the key measures that can be used to measure innovation index, and compare alternaties againest.

So what is the ideality equation?

IDEALITY = (Benefits)/(COSTS+HARMS)

As it has a generic rules/tools, We can apply them as an engine for ideas generation, evaluated by the ideality equation.

Also, It's not the bible that We can't change, We can innovate, and update the model, according to the new ERA of digital transformation, and the new available tools and sciences that can support the innovation.

In addition, We can merge it with different innovation frameworks, in order to maximize the ideality.

Principle 1: Segmentation

The solution is not atomic, it can be segmented.

Means you can plug and play all the parts, while each one can work separately.

In software engineering, it's strongly related to integration between modules, solutions, that enable communication with different parties.

This integration should be abstracted, a you can't know at development phase the other solution/Module you will integrate with.

Examples:

1. Create finance integration module for receiving data from different running solutions in the organization, with facility to map data to transactions according to predefined metadata in the integration module.

2. Create configurable all in one solution, that enable selecting active modules per each client as a customization facility.

3. Migration to microservices architecture in order to prevent monolithic issues

Principle 2: Separation/Extraction

You can separate disturbing parts from an object, when bad things is mandatory in the solution.

As an example: the air conditioner, We put the noisy unit outside the place, in order to increase the ideality.

Examples:

1. Enable the system to run slow tasks separately, or in different threads/TAP, in order to remove the disadvantages of the process and enhance the response time.

2. Separate the binary content(fils) from the database, and move it to different storage, in order to enhance the response time.

Principle 3: Local quality

Different parts of an object should carry out different functions.

Examples:

1. Make your solution independent of content type, so it can handle educational content, training content, and all analytics is upon dynamic content type.

2. Use e-learning platforms as a communication channel, news channel, and e-commerce for educational materials

Principle 4: Asymmetry

• Replace symmetrical forms with asymmetrical forms in order to innovate

• If an object is already asymmetrical, increase its degree of asymmetry.

Example:

1. UX design should have different themes according to transactions types, that makes users annoyed.

2. LMS: Education content types shouldn't be balanced, it should be according to learning styles, which is not symmetrically distributed

Principle 5: Consolidation

• Consolidate in space homogeneous objects, or objects destined for contiguous operations.

• Consolidate in time homogeneous or contiguous operations.

Example:

1. Merge e-learning platform with communication tools between students and e-Exams solution in order to have all in one solution

2. Merge all communication types(notifications, sms, mail, whatsapp messages) in one configurable and resellable module

Principle 6: Universality

• An object can perform several different functions; therefore, other elements can be removed.

Example

1. Storing binary files within databases, so no need to save it in different storage

2. Mobile( calls, location, notification, photography), so all features are included, that can be utilized in designing IoT solutions, and location based business, like tracking.

Principle 7: Nesting

• One object is placed inside another. That object is placed inside a third one and so on.

• It improves space utilzatio

• An object passes through a cavity in another object.

• Exame: table sets

Principle 8 : Counterweight معادلة الوزن او التأثير

• Compensate for the weight of an object by combining it with another object that provides a lifting force.

• Compensate for the weight of an object with aerodynamic or hydrodynamic forces influenced by the outside environment.

Example:

1. Certificates to add weight to your CV

W. Add AI forecasting models to improve your solution and add weight to it

Principle 9: Prior Counteraction

• Preload countertension to an object to compensate excessive and undesirable stress.

• Plan should be designed, as we may have to use it in the future

Example:

1. Create database backups periodically in order to recover in the future upon accedent

Principle 10:Prior Action

• Perform required changes to an object completely or partially in advance.

• Place objects in advance so that they can go into action immediately from the most convenient location.

Sample:

1. Create worming up question for recaping subject

2. Load solution metadata in the application stratup in order make solution faster

Principle 11 : Cushon in Advance

• Compensate for the relatively low reliability of an object with emergency measures prepared in advance.

• Prepare alternative plan

Example:

1. When student lost the connection to submit the exam, create alternative plan to save answers locally and sync when connection backs.

Principle 12: Equipotentiality تقليل التباين

• Change the condition of the work in such a way that it will not require lifting or lowering an object.

• Example:

1. make UX similarity models in order to make users comfortable when interacting

2. Decrease number of data sources media type in order to have control ob your data access layer.

Principle 13: Do It in Reverse

• Instead of the direct action dictated by a problem, implement an opposite action (i.e., cooling instead of heating).

• Make the movable part of an object, or outside environment, stationary — and stationary part moveable.

• Turn an object upside-down.

Example

1. Distance learning

2. Exams before studying

3. Machine learning instead of forward engineering

Principle 14: Spheroidality التكوير والانحناء

• Replace linear parts with curved parts, flat surfaces with spherical surfaces, and cube shapes with ball shapes.

• Use rollers, balls, spirals.

• Replace linear motion with rotational motion; utilize centrifugal force.

Example:

1. Design curvey objects instead of sharped edges to save space

Principle 15: Dynamicity

• Characteristics of an object or outside environment, must be altered to provide optimal performance at each stage of an operation.

• If an object is immobile, make it mobile. Make it interchangeable.

• Divide an object into elements capable of changing their position relative to each other.

Example:

1. Configurable modules

2. Configurable UX

3. Integration module

Principle 16: Partial or Excessive Action

• If it is difficult to obtain 100% of a desired effect, achieve more or less of the desired effect.

Principle 17 : Transition Into a New Dimension

• Transition one-dimensional movement, or placement, of objects into two-dimensional; two-dimensional to three-dimensional, etc.

• Utilize multi-level composition of objects.

• Incline an object, or place it on its side.

• Utilize the opposite side of a given surface.

• Project optical lines onto neighboring areas, or onto the reverse side, of an object.

Principle 18: Mechanical Vibration

• Utilize oscillation.

• If oscillation exists, increase its frequency to ultrasonic.

• Use the frequency of resonance.

• Replace mechanical vibrations with piezovibrations.

• Use ultrasonic vibrations in conjunction with an electromagnetic field.

Sample:

1. Use vibration as notification

2. Use vibration for tracing accuracy in roads or character recognition for blinds

3.Massage chairs

• Periodic Action

Principle 19: Replace a continuous action with a periodic one (impulse).

• If the action is already periodic, change its frequency.

• Use pauses between impulses to provide additional action.

Principle 20: Continuity of Useful Action

• Carry out an action without a break. All parts of the object should constantly operate at full capacity.

• Remove idle and intermediate motion.

• Replace “back-and-forth” motion with a rotating one.

Principle 21: Rushing Through

• Perform harmful and hazardous operations at a very high speed.

Example:

1. Surgeries

2. Speed up the car to save it

Principle 22: Convert Harm Into Benefit

• Utilize harmful factors — especially environmental — to obtain a positive effect.

• Remove one harmful factor by combining it with another harmful factor.

• Increase the degree of harmful action to such an extent that it ceases to be harmful.

Example:

1. Recycle

2. Diving suits with breath feedback to increase body temprature

3. Use existing bad desktop ux to market for web and mobile new vision and ux enhancements

Principle 23: Feedback

• Introduce feedback.

• If feedback already exists, change it.

• Mediator

• Use an intermediary object to transfer or carry out an action.

• Temporarily connect the original object to one that is easily removed.

Principle 25: Self-service

• An object must service itself and carry out supplementary and repair operations.

• Make use of waste material and energy.

Samples:

1. ATM

2. Self regulated systems

3. Machine learning

4. Robotics

Principle 26: Copying

• A simplified and inexpensive copy should be used in place of a fragile original or an object that is inconvenient to operate.

• If a visible optical copy is used, replace it with an infrared or ultraviolet copies.

• Replace an object (or system of objects) with their optical image. The image can then be reduced or enlarged.

Example:

1. Use digital copy of books instead of original

2. Use digital copy of games.

Principle 27: Dispose

• Replace an expensive object with a cheap one, compromising other properties (i.e., longevity).

Example

1. Using olen source components and languages

2. Using free datatypes like text files instead of DB

3. Cheap stationary, spawns, and cups

4. Use cloud (IAAS,PAAS,SAAS) for short term purpose instead of investing in HW and SW

Principle 28 : Replacement of Mechanical System

• Replace a mechanical system with an optical, acoustical, thermal or olfactory system.

• Use an electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field to interact with an object.

Example:

• Stationary with mobile

• Fixed with changing in time

• Finger print and geofencing for attendance

• Ecommerce

• Use fields in conjunction with ferromagnetic

• Pneumatic or Hydraulic Constructions

• Replace solid parts of an object with a gas or liquid. These parts can now use air or water for inflation, or use pneumatic or hydrostatic cushions.

• Flexible Membranes or Thin Films

• Replace customary constructions with flexible membranes or thin film.

• Isolate an object from its outside environment with flexible membranes or thin films.

• Porous Material

• Make an object porous, or use supplementary porous elements (inserts, covers, etc.).

• If an object is already porous, fill pores in advance with some substance.

Principle 32: cHANGE THE COLOR

Change the color of an object or its environment.

• Change the degree of translucency of an object or its environment.

• Use color additives to observe an object, or process which is difficult to see.

• If such additives are already used, employ luminescent traces or trace atoms.

Example:

1. Uniform

2. Using color map for attributres ( mandatory, optional, locked, alwayslocked, alarm)

3. Sports team uniform

• Homogeneity

• Objects interacting with the main object should be made out of the same material (or material with similar properties) as the main object.

• Rejecting and Regenerating Parts

• After completing its function, or becoming useless, an element of an object is rejected (discarded, dissolved, evaporated, etc.) or modified during its work process.

• Used-up parts of an object should be restored during its work.

• Transformation of Properties

• Change the physical state of the system.

• Change the concentration or density.

• Change the degree of flexibility.

• Change the temperature or volume.

• Phase Transition

• Using the phenomena of phase change (i.e., a change in volume, the liberation or absorption of heat, etc.).

• Thermal Expansion

• Use expansion or contraction of material by changing its temperature.

• Use various materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion.

Principle 38: Accelerated Oxidation

• Make transition from one level of oxidation to the next higher level:

• Ambient air to oxygenated

• Oxygenated to oxygen

• Oxygen to ionized oxygen

• Ionized oxygen to ozoned oxygen

• Ozoned oxygen to ozone

• Ozone to singlet oxygen

Principle 39 :Inert Environment

• Replace a normal environment with an inert one.

• Introduce a neutral substance or additives into an object.

• Carry out the process in a vacuum.

Principle 40 :Composite Materials

• Replace homogeneous materials with composite ones=

Dr. Ghoniem Lawaty

CTO@TechHuB Egypt

How to Use TRIZ

References

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