An Eco‐innovation Case Study of Domestic Dishwashing through the Application of TRIZ Tools

The benefits of applying a structured method such as TRIZ (Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadatch: the Russian theory of inventive problem solving) to Eco‐innovation are examined through use of two problem‐solving tools from TRIZ in an Eco‐innovation case study. A novel problem hierarchy model has been integrated to help identify the systems and sub‐systems level innovations required for Eco‐innovation. The benefits and shortcomings of the TRIZ tools, and the potential contribution of the problem hierarchy model in the innovation process are discussed.     

Teaching Thinking and Problem Solving at University: A Course on TRIZ

Thinking and problem solving skills are considered to be of significant importance in many professions. Surveys indicate that university education fails in appropriately enhancing these skills. This paper presents a concept of teaching thinking and problem solving as a separate course, based on the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). Student surveys showed that students' perception of their abilities in problem solving changed vastly as a consequence of the course. Students reflected that they would never have expected themselves to come up with the ideas they eventually thought of and suggested while conducting their final project, had they not been formally taught about the tools of problem solving. It was also found that this course on TRIZ thinking tools impacted students' problem solving abilities much more than discipline‐based courses, supporting the superiority of the ‘enrichment’ over the ‘infusion’ approach.     

What is TRIZ? From Conceptual Basics to a Framework for Research

This paper introduces six aspects of the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ), from conceptual basics to a framework for interdisciplinary research, and explains some of the specific terminology, such as inventive principles, standard solutions, substance‐field‐systems or contradictions. The conceptual approach of TRIZ comprises the way from a concrete problem over an abstract problem to an abstract solution and from there to a concrete solution. This is supported by a toolkit, which helps the problem‐solver analysing and solving problems in different perspectives. The ‘power supply for notebook computers’ example demonstrates a problem‐solving process with TRIZ using contradiction thinking, the contradiction matrix and the inventive principles as tools. The TRIZ tools may be combined within a comprehensive process model such as ARIS or WOIS, which are briefly discussed. A framework for further research suggests five fields: the tools and their combination as the core, inspiration by new knowledge domains, adaptation to new fields of usage, psycho‐ and sociological contingency and integration with other creativity tools. The paper concludes with an overview of cornerstones in the history of TRIZ and suggests some introductory books and informative websites.     

TRIZ: Inventive Creativity Based On The Laws of Systems Development

Different problem solving methodologies drawing on various philosophical and practical approaches are in use all over the world. This paper gives details of the TRIZ method, created by G. A. Altshuller in the former Soviet Union in 1946. TRIZ uses systems thinking concepts to structure problem solving and encourages the user to discover the objective laws of evolution and development in the field of inventive creativity. Examples of the use of the system and reflections on its impact are given by the author.     

Development and evaluation of multimedia whiteboard system for improving mathematical problem solving

This study developed a web-based multimedia whiteboard system to help students learning with mathematical problem solving. The purpose is to promote a new online mathematical learning model that students not only use electronic whiteboard to write down their mathematical problem solving solutions but also use voice recording tool to give oral explanations about their thinking behind the solutions. To cultivate students’ critical thinking capability and encourage collaborative peer learning, the new learning model also requests students to criticize others’ solutions and reply to others’ arguments. With the multimedia supporting tools, students can communicate easily with each other about what they think and how they solve mathematical problems. We have conducted an experiment with sixth grade primary school students for evaluation. After the experiment, a questionnaire about students’ attitude toward the multimedia whiteboard system for math learning was then held. The results show that students were satisfied with the use of the multimedia whiteboard system for helping them with learning fractional division. Most students were interested in studying mathematics with the multimedia whiteboard system and thought this tool is particularly useful for doing collaborative learning. After analyzing the recorded solving processes and discussions content of students, we found that the performance of female students was superior to male students in communications and mathematical problem solving. Additionally, students with higher final exam grades had better mathematical abilities for doing critiques, arguments and communications.     

六西格玛在软件过程度量中应用研究综述

现有软件过程度量的标准模型一般只提出如何进行软件过程管理以及应该达到什么样的标准,但没有对客户怎样做,使用哪些方法可以达到这些标准进行具体的阐述。而六西格玛改进提供了一套持续改进现有过程的流程、方法和工具;六西格玛设计是控制产品设计质量突破“五西格玛墙”的有力工具,它更接近于企业的底层经营流程。因而,针对软件企业的自身特点,结合六西格玛,解决软件质量的控制问题,生产出高质量的产品,获得竞争优势,具有十分重要的意义。为此进行了相关文献的综述研究。     

Six cognitive gaps by using TRIZ and tools for service system design

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework of service system design. When reviewing the past literatures in the field of TRIZ solving processes, it was found that there were several drawbacks in the TRIZ solving processes which were: (i) the TRIZ depended on the researchers’ subjective viewpoints; (ii) the TRIZ lacked a customized contradictory matrix and innovative principles; (iii) and the innovative principle of TRIZ could not provide comprehensive solutions to apply to all service fields. In attempting to understand the reason for the additional above drawbacks, much of the literature was organized to find six cognitive gaps, which might support TRIZ implementation during the TRIZ solving processes for service system design (SSD). The six cognitive gaps which are: (i) identifying the opportunity by mapping the specific features and characteristics; (ii) the ideal contradiction matrix; (iii) evaluating the results especially by checking the KM-based profession-oriented tools; (iv) checking the KM-based context; (v) human factors and teamwork; (vi) innovative supplemental technologies. Finally, the six cognitive gaps were integrated into a conceptual framework of SSD development, which will provide an improved guide for further researchers.     

六西格玛方法在过程改造中的应用简介

介绍了六西格玛(6σ)的概念、基本评价指标及其开发的DMAIC流程的含义与主要分析工具,并介绍了六西格玛法在过程优化中的应用。该过程是一生产己内酰胺的连续过程,6σ利用统计学工具如量规分析、方差分析对过程的各个生产单元进行分析,找出各个生产单元的关键输入变量和输出变量及其关系,确定影响产品产量的瓶颈,包括操作条件和低效或陈旧的仪表与设备,并用实验设计验证以上分析结果,最后消除瓶颈,达到提高产量的目的。     

基于关联规则的创新矛盾矩阵的研究

随着市场竞争不断加剧,企业创新成为现代企业生存的重要一环。首先,将用于解决技术性发明创造而建立的TRIZ理论引入到企业创新研究之中;通过计算机知识发现和数据挖掘技术与TRIZ理论中的矛盾思想相结合,并根据德国弗朗克协会提出的企业创新九个领域,将其细分为相应若干指标器;在此基础上,提出使用指标器间关联规则替代TRIZ创新原理。最后,使用这些关联性与九个创新领域,得到了一种适合描述企业创新的矛盾矩阵构成方法,为解决企业创新提供了分析依据。     

MorphoTRIZ – Solving Technical Problems with a Demand for Multi‐Smart Solutions

Using two approved creativity techniques, technical problem solving can be supported in a systematic and analytical way: morphological and contradiction‐oriented problem solving (the latter as part of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving [Russian acronym: TRIZ]). In these techniques different anchor points for creativity are used: morphological‐oriented problem solving is characterized by structuring a system into independent partial systems and finding answers by combining the different solutions of these subsystems; contradiction‐oriented problem solving is focused on finding fundamental contradictions within a system, representing the core problems, and solving them by applying the accumulated experiential knowledge of previous inventors. In this paper a combination of both techniques is developed and deployed, using network‐oriented function analysis as a connecting concept. We refer to this combination as MorphoTRIZ. It is particularly helpful in technical problem solving, when there is a demand for a multitude of smart solutions, which has become quite common with regard to design‐oriented products and individualized mass production as well as various other purposes. Seen from the conceptional perspective of creative problem solving, MorphoTRIZ combines process elements: (i) for producing a multitude of ideas, (ii) for producing many categories of ideas, and (iii) for producing highly original ideas. It provides connections to further creativity techniques, to open innovation and also to the field of management research as application area.     

New and Emerging Contradiction Elimination Tools

The paper discusses a systematic programme of patent and science‐based research that has culminated in the production of a range of new matrices for the TRIZ toolkit, in particular, the creation of new generic matrices aimed at technical, business and software applications. The new technical matrix tool updates both the form and content of the original matrix, expanding the list of parameters it contains, increasing the inventive principle recommendations for each contradiction, and also making it easier for users to connect their specific problem to the generic framework. The paper also discusses the creation of a number of company and industry‐specific matrix tools based on the mass of research data collected, and discusses the likely future evolution of the contradiction elimination toolkit.     

Comparative analysis of Palm and wearable computers for Participatory Simulations

Abstract Recent educational computer‐based technologies have offered promising lines of research that promote social constructivist learning goals, develop skills required to operate in a knowledge‐based economy ( Roschelle et al. 2000 ), and enable more authentic science‐like problem‐solving. In our research programme, we have been interested in combining these aims for curricular reform in school science by developing innovative and progressive hand‐held and wearable computational learning tools. This paper reports on one such line of research in which the learning outcomes of two distinct technological platforms (wearable computers and Palm hand‐helds) are compared using the same pedagogical strategy of Participatory Simulations. Participatory Simulations use small wearable or hand‐held computers to engage participants in simulations that enable inquiry and experimentation ( Colella 2000 ) allowing students to act out the simulation themselves. The study showed that the newer and more easily distributable version of Participatory Simulations on Palms was equally as capable as the original Tag‐based simulations in engaging students collaboratively in a complex problem‐solving task. We feel that this robust and inexpensive technology holds great promise for promoting collaborative learning as teachers struggle to find authentic ways to integrate technology into the classroom in addition to engaging and motivating students to learn science.     

The TRIZ Resource Analysis Tool for Solving Management Tasks: Previous Classifications and their Modification

This paper illustrates different approaches of classifying resources inside the field of TRIZ and in the strategic management with focus on the Resource‐based View. The Resource‐based View is introduced in order to discuss resources under management aspects. The goal is to integrate the most promising approaches for increasing the effectiveness of the TRIZ‐based resource analysis. The TRIZ‐based comprehension of resources will be broadened such that the specifications of management problems are sufficiently considered. Based on the proposed classification, a three‐step process to analyse resources in well‐structured form based on TRIZ is recommended. In that way, the problem‐solver can identify resources that might not normally be viewed as such. Furthermore, the proposed classification includes different categories of resources, with examples in the field of management that can be used as a database.     

Linking Contradictions and Laws of Engineering System Evolution within the TRIZ Framework

Tools and methods developed during the era of quality and optimization have shown their limitations and become inappropriate in the context of the requirements of innovation. Nowadays the need to rebuild design practices in enterprises is strongly felt both in terms of human skills and methodological expertise. In part, a way to face the innovation era's difficulties has been provided through the theory of inventive problem solving. This theory represents a significant breakthrough in driving problem statement and solving in a direction that is expressed through the idea that technical systems are driven by objective laws. A second postulate concerns the notion of contradiction, but so far only few contributions have addressed the relations between laws and contradictions. This paper, through a qualitative approach, presents a solution to this limitation and proposes a possible use of laws within the choice of the appropriate conflicting pair, prior to the use of any TRIZ solving techniques. Tests to observe the impact of the proposed approach were conducted in a French engineering ‘grande école’ during three semesters with 180 engineers. The contribution of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, there is a theoretical contribution to the theory of inventive problem solving. In addition, the proposed method offers especially TRIZ practitioners new ways for problem understanding and problem formulation.     

Six sigma as a business process management method in services: analysis of the key application problems

Apart from being applied in production, Six Sigma has grown considerably in importance as a business process management (BPM) method in services. The transfer of the method from production to service applications does, however, pose problems which affect the success of implementing Six Sigma as a BPM method in services. For a successful application of the Six Sigma method in services it is helpful to know these possible problems in order to be able to avoid them and to achieve the goals of Six Sigma improvement projects. In addition from a theoretical view knowing the problems is a first step for further development of the Six Sigma method. Therefore, the present article deals with the following questions: which key problems regarding the application of Six Sigma in services are mentioned in the literature and which phases of the Six Sigma cycle can they be assigned to? The existing literature on this subject is reviewed and a qualitative content analysis of its contents is presented. Additionally, a survey based on the problems found in the literature is conducted to compare theory and practice. The evaluation of the results shows, on the one hand, that to date the problems of the application of Six Sigma in services have little been dealt with. On the other hand the evaluation provides a survey of the problems structured in accordance to the phases of the Six Sigma cycle. Thus, the present paper offers new findings as regards the state-of-the-art of the Six Sigma method.     

基于应用视角的缓冲区溢出检测技术与工具

缓冲区溢出漏洞是危害最为广泛和严重的安全漏洞之一,彻底消除缓冲区溢出漏洞相当困难.学术界、工业界提出了众多缓冲区溢出漏洞检测技术与工具.面对众多的工具,使用者如何结合自身需求有效地选择工具,进而应用到漏洞的检测与修复、预防与保护、度量与评估等方面,是具体而实际的问题.解决这一问题,需要在各异的用户需求与多样的缓冲区溢出检测技术与工具之间建立一张条理清晰、便于用户理解和使用的映射图谱.站在使用者的立场,在概述缓冲区溢出漏洞类型与特征的基础上,从软件生命周期阶段的检测与修复、缓冲区溢出攻击阶段的预防与保护、基于认识与理解途径的度量与评估这3个应用视角,对缓冲区溢出漏洞检测技术与工具进行梳理,一定程度上在用户需求、检测技术与工具之间建立了一张映射图谱.     

Adapting Creative Problem Solving to an Organizational Context: A Study of its Effectiveness with a Student Population

Owing to company time restrictions and concentration on project development, we began to reduce the duration of creative problem solving (CPS) sessions, and to give more emphasis to the action planning stage. Several changes in our CPS protocol, as well as in its duration, begged the question as to whether these changes were jeopardizing efficacy. To examine this question, six groups of ten university students, working under two different CPS protocols (a five‐step method and a four‐step method), and three control groups (using no CPS method), were given the same objective and similar conditions. This exploratory experiment compared group performance by change in team commitment, divergent thinking preferences, productivity and the participants' evaluation of the different methods. Results show that the CPS methods were both effective in changing participants' perspectives regarding divergent thinking and team commitment. In the control groups, however, there were no changes as a consequence of the sessions. Results also suggest that the same problem‐solving effectiveness can be attained in a shorter time than that traditionally used, and without prior training in CPS. These findings open the door to developing new problem‐solving techniques and team work processes, and to more efficient organizational creativity and innovation methodologies.     

Training individuals for distributed teams: problem solving assessment for distributed mission research

In this paper we describe an effort investigating the feasibility and utility of cognitively diagnostic assessment of problem solving when training for distributed team tasks. We utilized computer-based knowledge elicitation methods to assess both relational problem solving, requiring the semantic integration of concepts, and dynamic problem solving, requiring the ability to integrate and apply these concepts. Additionally, we addressed how metacognitive processes interact with learning outcomes when training for complex synthetic task environments. We find first, that multiple methods of assessing problem solving performance are diagnostic of knowledge acquisition for a complex synthetic team task, and second, that general metacomprehension predisposition is related to metacomprehension accuracy in synthetic task environments.     

Tools and methods used by industrial designers for product dimensioning

Industrial designers often take part in dimensioning activities that require anthropometric data. However, little is known about the data, tools and processes used. Hence, this study focused on documenting process. Telephone interviews were conducted with 82 industrial designers involved in the dimensioning of 4 types of objects (vehicles, furniture, tools, and sports equipment). Questions focused on data, tools employed, existing dimensioning activities and difficulties encountered. Results indicate that designers give preference to dated documentation and simple tools. The tools that integrate anthropometric data and recommendations related to the use of the product seem to be appreciated. Considered too costly and complex, Digital Human Models are seldom used. The formats of human representations varied according to the class of the product to be developed. Various artefacts are produced throughout the dimensioning process. The designers regularly take measurements of their own, on themselves or others. Potential areas for improvement are presented.     

Effectively utilizing project,product and process knowledge

Improving project management, product development and engineering processes is for many companies crucial to survive in a fast changing environment. However, these activities are rarely integrated well due to the diversity of stakeholders with individual knowledge about projects, products and processes. This case study shows how Alcatel-Lucent over time achieved effective interaction of engineering processes, tools and people on the basis of a knowledge-centric product life-cycle management (PLM). Starting from identifying project, product and process knowledge, we show how they can be effectively integrated for best possible usage across the enterprise. The case study provides insight into how to best embark on PLM and how to effectively integrate product development with supportive tools. It describes how the concepts can be transferred to software engineering teams and IT departments in other companies. Concrete results from several product lines, such as efficiency improvement and better global development underline the business value.