Exercise Summary and Creativity Methods

1. Fixation & Creativity Sum-Up
Thomas J Howard & Morten Friis Olivarius
https://sites.google.com/site/thomasjameshowardhomepage/
thow@mek.dtu.dk
Unless otherwise stated, this material is under a Creative
Commons 3.0 Attribution–Share-Alike licence and can be
freely modified, used and redistributed but only under the
same licence and if including the following statement:
“Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark”

2. Measuring Cup: Jansson & Smith’s Results
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Control Fixation
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• Number of designs per group 2.8 2.9
• Number of incrementally variable designs 57% 78%
• Number without overflow devices 17% 54%
• Number highly similar to example 7% 50%
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2 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

3. Spill-Proof Cup: Jansson & Smith’s Results
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Control Fixation
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• Number of designs per group 4.1 3.4
• Number designs that leak 30% 39%
• Number designs with a straw 1% 17%
• Number designs with a mouthpiece 10% 39%
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3 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

4. Bicycle Rack: Jansson & Smith’s Results
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Control Fixation
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• Number of designs per group 4.5 4.3
• Number top mounted designs 59% 71%
• Number with suction cups 6% 54%
• Number with tyre rails 15% 48%
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4 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

5. 5 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

6. Questions
?
Video
6 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

7. Creativity and problem solving
Thomas J. Howard
https://sites.google.com/site/thomasjameshowardhomepage/
thow@mek.dtu.dk
Unless otherwise stated, this material is under a Creative
Commons 3.0 Attribution–Share-Alike licence and can be
freely modified, used and redistributed but only under the
same licence and if including the following statement:
“Original material by Thomas J. Howard for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark”

8. The Double Diamond Process
breadth of perspective
Divergent phases are where
creativity is required the most to
generate and synthesise new ideas
time
8 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

9. Sources
TRIZ – Theory of Inventive Problem
Solving, Altshuler 90
Hands on Systematic Innovation –
Darrell Mann
9 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

10. Phase 1 Creativity
breadth of perspective
How to find the right
problem and project
time
10 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

11. Phase 1 Creativity
3 methods that help you to decide
which project to choose and which
problem to solve:
– S-Curve analysis
– 9 Windows operator
– Ideal final result
11 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

12. S-Curves: Maturity of the Technology
Darrell Mann
12 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

13. S-Curves: Road-mapping the future
Darrell Mann
13 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

14. 9 Windows: Which problems to solve
Darrell Mann
14 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

15. 9 Windows: Swimming pool lane dividers
Storage, Swimming Corrosion,
installation, pool, users, loosening,
tensioning water drying
Assemble Lane Disassembly
parts and dividers in and
customise operation maintenance
Manufacture Lane divider Re-
of float and use, re-
components cable cycle, disp
osal
Darrell Mann
15 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

16. Ideal Final Result
Current Increasing range of
solution options
space
Reuse of
washing water
Clean clothes
without water
Clean clothes
Re-usable without Clothes that
washing washing clean themselves
powder powder
Clean clothes
Etc… without washing
machine
Alternative
solution space Jamie O’Hare
16 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

17. Phase 2 Creativity
breadth of perspective
How to generate and
search for solutions
time
17 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

18. Phase 2 Creativity
3 methods that help guide the
designer towards solutions based
on historical innovation:
– Contradiction Matrix / Inventive Principles
– Sweeper
– Trends of evolution
18 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

19. Contradiction Matrix / Inventive Principles
TRIZ general TRIZ general
problem 2 solution
Abstract
1 3
Reality
Your specific Your specific
problem solution
19 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

20. Identify Contradictions
39 Parameters of contradiction matrix
TRIZ general
problem
1
Your specific
problem
20 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

21. Identify Solution Principles
TRIZ general TRIZ general
2
problem solution
Adaptability or versatility
Weight of moving object
Worsening
Difficulty of detecting
Extent of automation
Weight of stationary
Device complexity
Ease of operation
and measuring
Feature
Ease of repair
Productivity
object
Improving
Feature
1 2 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
35 3 2 27 29 5 26 30 28 29 26 35 35 3
1 Weight of moving object + All
2 24 28 11 15 8 36 34 26 32 18 19 24 37
6 13 2 27 19 15 1 10 25 28 2 26 1 28
2 Weight of stationary object All +
1 32 28 11 29 26 39 17 15 35 15 35
28 29 1 27 2 5 35 1 2 13 27 26 6 28 8 28 35 1
32 Ease of manufacture
15 16 36 13 13 16 11 9 15 1 11 1 1 10 28
25 2 6 13 12 26 15 34 32 26 1 34 15 1
33 Ease of operation + All
13 15 1 25 1 32 1 16 12 17 12 3 28
2 27 2 27 1 12 7 1 35 1 34 35 1 32
34 Ease of repair + All
35 11 35 11 26 15 16 4 13 11 7 13 10
1 6 19 15 15 34 1 16 15 29 1 27 34 35 28
35 Adaptability or versatility +
15 8 29 16 1 16 7 4 37 28 35 6 37
21 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

22. Apply solution principles to situation
Principle 1. Segmentation
Divide an object into independent parts.
TRIZ general
• Replace mainframe computer by personal computers.
solution
• Replace a large truck by a truck and trailer.
• Use a work breakdown structure for a large project.
3
Make an object easy to disassemble.
• Modular furniture
• Quick disconnect joints in plumbing
Your specific
solution
Increase the degree of fragmentation or segmentation.
• Replace solid shades with Venetian blinds.
• Use powdered welding metal instead of foil or rod to get
better penetration of the joint.
22 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

23. Apply solution principles to situation
Principle 35. Parameter changes
Change an object's physical state (e.g. to a gas, liquid, or solid)
TRIZ general
• Freeze the liquid centres of filled candies, then dip in melted solution
chocolate, instead of handling the messy, gooey, hot liquid.
• Transport oxygen or nitrogen or petroleum gas as a
liquid, instead of a gas, to reduce volume.
Change the concentration or consistency. 3
• Liquid hand soap is concentrated and more viscous than bar
soap at the point of use, making it easier to dispense in the
correct amount and more sanitary when shared by several
people. Your specific
Change the degree of flexibility. solution
• Use adjustable dampers to reduce the noise of parts falling
into a container by restricting the motion of the walls of the
container.
• Vulcanize rubber to change its flexibility and durability.
23 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

24. Sweeper: The approach
Previous Previous solution
specification 2
Abstract
1 3
Reality
New specification New solution
24 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

25. Sweeper: The software tool
Howard, Thomas J.; Culley, Steve J.; Dekoninck, Elies A. (2011): Reuse of ideas and concepts for creative stimuli
in engineering design Journal of Engineering Design , 22(8), 565-581 , doi:10.1080/09544821003598573
25 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

26. Trends of Evolution
35 trends of evolution have been identified
Steps:
General trend Next solution in
1. Browse the trends
of technology 2 trend
to identify where
technology exists on
trend.
1 3
2. Look at the following
technologies in the
trend
Your specific Your next solution
3. Apply new technology
technology to
current situation
26 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

27. Trends of Evolution
Monolithic
solid
Capillary /
porous
Multiple
hollows
Hollow
structure
Monolithic
solid
27 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

28. General Creativity Methods
3 methods that help you to remove
cognitive inertia and produce
solutions:
– SCAMPER
– Smart Little People
– 6 thinking hats
28 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

29. SCAMPER checklist
Substitute - components, materials, people
Combine - mix, combine with other assemblies or services, integrate
Adapt - alter, change function, use part of another element
Modify - increase or reduce scale, change shape, modify attributes (eg colour)
Put - to another use
Eliminate - remove elements, simplify, reduce to core functionality
Reverse - turn inside out or upside down, also use of reversal
29 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

30. Smart Little People
Imagine that the system
you are analysing consists
of many clever, ingenious
small objects or
people, that can make
decisions individually
and as a group.
30 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

31. DeBono’s 6 Thinking Hats
A group creativity method where everyone is assigned a thinking roll (and get to wear coloured hats!)
31 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

32. Summary
•The tools and methods are not essential
but may help you to overcome some
barriers and inspire new solutions
•Try to use the right tools at the right time
•Prepare for your sessions and have a goal
Thank you for participating today, your
feedback would be much appreciated:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dG9PYjVYQWFUR1VMUUhibXJZR0FnTmc6MQ#gid=0
32 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark

33. Questions
?
33 Material compiled for course 42629 – Innovation and Product Development Department of 2012
Mechanical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark