Let me start out by saying this is a fantastic forum and wish I had run across it years ago.

My apologies if this has already been debated, as I haven't been to all the nooks and crannies of the Elsmar Cove...yet.

I have had the opportunity in my manufacturing career to use several different problem solving techniques (6Sigma, Red-X, 8D, VA/VE, PDCA, RCA, C&E, etc.) and recently I began to wonder if there really is a difference between them. Of course, everyone has their favorite few and some work better and seem more natural in certain situations, but doesn't every problem present its solution if structured attention is paid to it? So, has Problem Solving truely evloved over the years or are we all using a slightly different twist of the Scientific Method?

On the similar topic of evolution...I have just begun learning TRIZ. As an engineer I find the idea of Logical Creativity to be very intriguing. It is a fantastic tool that I can see myself using regularly for the rest of my life. However, the idea of 40 Principles and 39 Contradictions seems a little incomplete/ugly to me. Haven't we been taught that science is elegant when the true solution presents itself? Will we see a more graceful version of TRIZ in the future?

Hi Swanee,
Triz? what's Triz? It sounds intriguing.

Short answer: It is realizing that all systems evlove to ideality. This happens when we come up with a new way of solving a contradition in the system. TRIZ helps point us toward creative ways around problems.

For a longer answer: http://www.triz-journal.com/

Rosie A

Please find attached herewith an article on TRIZ. Please note that source of this article is also mentioned at the end.

Hi Swanee,
Triz? what's Triz? It sounds intriguing.
Rosie A,

I should've also told you what it stands for.

TRIZ = Teorija Rezhija Izobretael'skich Zadach
I don't have a clue how to pronounce it. The English speaking world calls it, "Theory of Inventive Problem Solving".

Rosie A

Please find attached herewith an article on TRIZ. Please note that source of this article is also mentioned at the end.

Hi Manoj Mathur,
Thanks for your helpful information, but the website linkage as mentioned at the end of your article is not available for me, what's wrong with it? :confused:

Jaco

Swanee,
A warm welcome to the Cove, you shall find like minded folk here for sure.
TRIZ was the vehicle that introduced me to Mind mapping and other creative improvement tools.
Expand on your initial post and we'll go from there.
The correlation between the models you mentioned, are clear when the user defines the manner, format and outcome of the tools used.
If you have used the mentioned models, I would be interested in your definitions and experiences of using them.
Wallace. :bigwave:

TRIZ


Problem solving is an information-based search activity. It is concerned with finding ways of getting from where you are to where you want to be.
"Where you are" is known as the problem state, commonly referred to as what is. "Where you want to be" is known as the solved state, or as what should be.
The path that leads from the problem state to the solved state is known as the solution path. The term "solution path" is also used at times to refer to the sequence of events whereby a solution is arrived at (Newell & Simon, 1972).
There are two groups of problems people face: those with generally known solutions and those with unknown solutions. Those with known solutions can usually be solved by information found in books, technical journals, or with subject matter experts.
The other type of problem is one with no known solution. It is called an inventive problem and may contain contradictory requirements. As long ago as the 4th century, an Egyptian scientist named Papp suggested there should be a science called heuristics to solve inventive problems. In modern times, inventive problem solving has fallen into the field of psychology where the links between the brain and insight and innovation are studied. Methods such as brainstorming and trial-and-error are commonly suggested. Depending on the complexity of the problem, the number of trials will vary (http://www.mazur.net/triz/)

TRIZ goal is developing the "science" of creativity as started in 1946 Altshuller.
Altshuller’s central questions were http://www.mv.com/ipusers/rm/TRIZ.htm):
-How can the time required to invent be reduced?
-How can a process be structured to enhance breakthrough thinking?

TRIZ is the Russian acronym for the Cyrillic words translated as Theory of Inventive Problem Solving.
"The solving a problem lies in finding the solvers" – (Van Herpen's Law), and from manufacturing point of view we face here with different cultures at different levels: workers, coordinators, supervisors, managers, directors, GD, vice-presidents, presidents. Im looking to find sollutions if TRIZ ca be used also in manufacturing environement, as a highest level problem solving "tool".

Useful information ca be found also at http://www.trizminsk.org/eng/book.htm

Vio

Hi Manoj Mathur,
Thanks for your helpful information, but the website linkage as mentioned at the end of your article is not available for me, what's wrong with it? :confused:

JacoApparently, the link *** DEAD LINK WAS personal.engin.umich.edu/~gmazur/triz/ *** was one of many set up at the University of Michigan website for students and others associated with the University and the named individual no longer maintains an individual webpage on the University's server. (I checked the University's index and no Mazur is currently listed.)

Apparently, the link ***DEAD LINK*** was one of many set up at the University of Michigan website for students and others associated with the University and the named individual no longer maintains an individual webpage on the University's server. (I checked the University's index and no Mazur is currently listed.)
Before being sent to Japan I was in the middle of getting a master's degree at U of M. I still have a student account there, so I looked up Dr. Mazur. Apparently, the University switched servers in February and he has not updated the link. I found this one on his personal bio page.

http://www.mazur.net/triz/

Swanee

Overview of Creative Methods

An interesting report having the objective “to research the availability of various methods dealing with creativity, innovation and problem solving, for the purpose of understanding the market”.

http://www.ideationtriz.com/paper_Overview_of_Creative_Methods.asp

Vio