Systematic Innovation: TRIZ, Southbeach, and OpenAgile - Tools and Theories for Inventive Problem Solving by Joshua S. Weinstein

1. Systematic Innovation
TRIZ, Southbeach, and OpenAgile:
Tools and Theories
for Inventive Problem Solving
By Joshua S. Weinstein
Qingdao Business Leaders (QBL)
September 2010

2. Innovation and Problem Solving
Necessity is the mother of invention, and
inventive problem solving is the source of
many radical innovations.
“TRIZ” incorporates several theories for
Inventive Problem Solving that came from
studying 40,000 “inventive” patents for
common patterns and themes.
It has been used extensively by consultants
and companies in Russia, Europe, the USA,
and Korea (Samsung & LG since 1996)

3. TRIZ provides ...
For creative problem solving,
TRIZ helps us:

understand the problem as a system,

imagine the ideal solution first, and

solve contradictions.

4. The basic model for problem
solving in TRIZ

5. Form Ideal Vision
Now let’s systematically brainstorm some
innovations! Grab your pencil & paper.
What is your favorite multimedia products or
service?
• What are the most useful features?
• What are harmful or wasteful features
that should be eliminated?
• How could we reduce the size, mass, or
energy required by the product?

6. Example Answers
Including liked and disliked features:
• The iPod shuffle:
small, portable, and easy to use
but can be expensive.
• Video on Demand or Bittorrent:
can conveniently download movies
• Big-screen TV's:
large viewing area
but not portable

7. Use TRIZ to eliminate
Contradictions
Now combine these features into a product
description and begin eliminating
contradictions as they arise.
Example contradiction: large viewing area
and portability.
Solution: Create a patent on a thin, bendable
HDTV

8. Full Model (Overview)

9. Number of Solutions / Time

10. Alternatives
Is there a quicker, more visual way to come
up with some of those solutions and
innovatively solve problems?
YES: Southbeach Notation can be used. It
is less technical and more visual and
incorporates many of the core ideas from
TRIZ.

11. Southbeach Notation
• Southbeach is a visual
presentation of the
effects & usefulness
of components on
each other.
SWOT

12. Problem Solving Template
Ideally ... (goal)
but the problem is ...
We believe the problem is caused by ...
Therefore we are using this countermeasure
to offset the causes & problems.
As a result we get (benefit).
From studies of how Toyota solves problems

13. Ideally ... (goal)
but the problem is ...
We believe the problem is caused by ...
Therefore we are using this countermeasure
to offset the causes & problems.
As a result we get (benefit).
Useful vs. Harmful
Produces: , Counteracts:
Problem Solving Template

14. Applied to Toyota today
Ideally Toyota has good PR and strong sales
but the problem is brake system failures
causing recalls and bad PR
We believe the problem is caused by ...
electronic accelerator pedals quality issues
Therefore we are ____________________
to offset the causes & problems.
As a result we have higher quality + reliability

15. Visual Problem Solving

16. + Useful features
- Harmful features
• How can we DECREASE OR ELIMINATE
the Possible Causes?
• How can we have the Possible Causes
CREATE LESS Problems?
• How can we have the Countermeasures
CREATE MORE Benefits?
• How can we have the Benefits PRODUCE
MORE QUICKLY the Ideal Goal?

17. Applied to Toyota
• How can we DECREASE OR ELIMINATE
the brake system failures?
• How can we have the pedal quality issues
CREATE LESS brake system failures?
• How can we have the Countermeasures
CREATE MORE quality & reliability?
• How can we have the higher quality +
reliability PRODUCE MORE QUICKLY the
better PR and strong sales?

18. Learning Mode Required
Problem solving and innovation require:
• Planning
• Good teamwork
• Good communication across departments
• Frank reflection on successes and failures
• An active learning environment
Is there a business process which addresses
those needs?
Yes: OpenAgile!

19. OpenAgile Process Overview
Work Cycle

20. Increased Productivity + Efficiency, Lower Costs
Learning
Removing Obstacles
Respond to Change, More Control
Short Cycles
Organic Growth
Better Team Spirit
Keeping Commitments
Always Learning
OpenAgile Process Overview
Benefits of OpenAgile
✔

21. SCRUM (predecessor to OpenAgile)
has been used by:
• Microsoft
• Yahoo
• Google
• Electronic Arts
• Lockheed Martin
• Philips
• Siemens
• Nokia
• IBM
• Capital One
• BBC
• Intuit
• Nielsen Media
• First American Real
Estate
• BMC Software
• John Deere
• Lexis Nexis
• Sabre
• Salesforce.com
• Time Warner
• Turner Broadcasting
M o u n ta in G o a t S o ftw a re ,
L L C

22. Industries using one TRIZ group
Aerospace & Defense: Raytheon, SAAB
Automotive: Autoliv, Bosch, Chrysler, Delphi, Detroit Diesel,
Eaton, Ford, International Truck & Engine, Magna,
Siemens Automotive, Takata, TRW, Yazaki North America
Chemicals: Borden Chemical
Computer Software: EDS, Intuit
Consumer Products: Clorox, Kodak, Whirlpool
Food: Mars
Industrial Manufacturing: ABB, ITT Industries, JI Case,
Ryobi, United Technologies
Telecommunications: Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia
Tire & Rubber: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Academia: USA (MIT), Sweden, Japan, Israel, UK, Italy, …

23. TRIZ is ...
• Technology oriented
• Identifies trends in evolution of technical
systems (ideality)
• A hierarchical search system
from target functions to technical means
• Outlines 40 “Principles of Invention”
• Provides a Methodology for problem
solving

24. TRIZ S-Curve in Korea
http://www.osaka-gu.ac.jp/php/nakagawa/TRIZ/eTRIZ/epapers/e2010Papers/eKWLeeTRIZSymp2009/E15eS-Lee(Korea)-

25. Analysis: SONY Walkman
• Minimize Cost
• Reliability
• Efficiency
• Intensification
• Stabilization
• Realize
Primary
Function

26. S-curves
Creative
Leap
Time
Ideality

27. Technological Evolution Patterns

1. Stages of Evolution (product lifecycle: birth → decline)

2. Evolution toward Increased Ideality (Σ useful ÷ Σ harmful)

3. Non-Uniform Development of System Elements
(Contradictions): eliminate "bottleneck" sub-systems

4. Evolution toward Increased Dynamism and
Controllability

5. Increased Complexity Then Simplification

6. Evolution with Matching and Mismatching Elements

7. Evolution toward Micro-level and Increased Use of
Fields (Resources)

8. Evolution toward Decreased Human Involvement

28. Systematic Innovation
TRIZ, Southbeach, and OpenAgile:
Tools and Theories
for Inventive Problem Solving
Please email me if you would like to
redistribute this file:
josher19@gmail.com

29. About Joshua S. Weinstein

Most of the Companies I've worked
for have been between 6 months
and 6 years old.

Worked in Silicon Valley 1996-2002
doing programming, product
marketing, and consulting

Taught “High Tech” Style Design
Patterns, Java and Extreme
Programming in Xi'an

ERP and Software Consulting for
Maple Tree Business Solutions as
Director of Technology
Development

Currently Director of Support
Services at Grease Monkey China

If you have any questions or
comments, contact me at
josher19@gmail.com