INTRODUCTION
TRIZ is a theory created to systematize processes and procedures related to innovation and creativity in the solution of problems. TRIZ is a Russian acronym which can be expressed in English as ‘Theory for the Solution of Inventive Problems’ and consists of a theory, operating procedures and a range of tools created by Genrich Saulovich Altshuller (1926-1998) from 1946, with the objective of capturing the creative process in technical and technological contexts, codifying it and making it repeatable and applicable, in short a proper theory of invention.
The capability of inventing is usually deemed to be a natural quality and not a process which may be systematized with a scientific approach. Altshuller did not agree with the idea and started from the study of patented ideas to come up with the deduction of the general principles governing the evolution of technical systems underpinning the theory of invention he formulated.
TRIZ allows the analysis, the structuring of models and, finally, the solution of problems with a systematic approach based upon a series of subsequent stages and operating tools. Up to this day, the TRIZ methodology has proved to be the most efficient to solve inventive problems and one which may be learnt and used without any need for an innate individual creativity.
Supporting the validity of the methodology is the diffusion in companies both in small and medium enterprises, as well as in several giants at a worldwide level, among which it is worth citing 3M, BAE Systems, Boeing Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Dow Chemical, Ford, GM, HP, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, LG Electronics, Motorola, Kodak, NASA, Nestlé, OTIS Elevators, Panasonic, Procter & Gamble, Samsung, Siemens, Toyota, UNISYS, Xerox, Whirlpool, Saipem and BTicino.
METHODOLOGY
Classroom workshop