How to solve non-standard work tasks with the help of TRIZ

What is TRIZ

The theory of inventive problem solving, or TRIZ, developed Heinrich Altshuller is a Soviet inventor and science fiction writer. It was created in order to solve technical and technological problems. But its principles can be applied in any area where the usual patterns of action do not work.

So, it is suitable for solving the problems of planning, marketing, management, and even for everyday issues. We can say that TRIZ is a working algorithm that starts the process of creativity.

Sometimes we intuitively use the principles that formed the basis of TRIZ, and do not even assume that our decisions are connected with any theory. But it is better to do it consciously - then the chances of getting the desired result will increase.

So you have taskand you don't know how to solve it. To find an answer that suits you, you need to take several steps:

1. Formulate the problem accurately.
2. Identify the contradiction that underlies the problem. That is, to find out what is preventing you from achieving the desired result.
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3. Determine what the ideal final solution, or IFR, will be.
4. Examine all available resources that will help resolve or circumvent the contradiction and move closer to the IFR. Brainstorming is very helpful at this stage.
5. Choose solutionwhich seems to be optimal.
6. Analyze results.

There are 40 basic techniques for finding solutions in TRIZ. To learn more about each of them and see how real problems were solved with their help, it is worth reading book Altshuller "Find an idea". There are many technical and inventive cases. There are other interesting tasks - even detective ones.

We will pay attention to the first three points of the algorithm: the exact formulation of the problem and the ideal final solution, as well as the identification of contradictions. We will not delve into theory and turn to simple practical examples.

How to solve problems using TRIZ

Consider a few examples - both ordinary household and related to work and business.

1. How to act if the necessary tools are not enough

Here is a simple real life example. We need to cut breadbut no knife. What to do? We will act according to the algorithm.

The task has already been formulated. So, let's determine what will be the ideal final solution for us. At this stage, it is important that the wording is as accurate as possible.

In our problem, there can be two options for IFR:

1. Instead of a whole loaf, you should get portioned pieces of bread that are convenient to take with your hands.
2. We need thin, even slices to make sandwiches out of them.

In the first case, we may decide that portioned slices of bread are not necessarily beautiful slices. Then we do not need a knife or other cutting objects at all. You can simply break the bread with your hands and carefully place the pieces on a large dish. It can turn out to be an interesting and unexpected variant of table setting, and it will be convenient for everyone to take bread. The problem is solved, and nothing had to be cut.

If we definitely need even slices, we will look for another way. We will need to study all the items that are at hand. In order to cut bread, for example, a spool of thin silk or nylon thread may be suitable.

In this example, we see that changing the wording of the IFR has a strong effect on the decision. This should be taken into account when solving any problem when there are not enough resources.

For example, a small democratic cafe opens. An advertising campaign on several Internet resources is timed to coincide with this event. But on the eve of the launch, it turns out that there is no illustration for the banner, which should depict a visitor to the new cafe, who is sitting at a table. The illustrator fell ill and did not have time to finish the work on time.

Let's formulate an IFR: future visitors should pay attention to the advertisement of a new cafe, not to miss it among many other banners.

One of the solutions: in the place where there should be a beautiful picture, place a large and noticeable question mark. Draw and brightly color it by hand to catch the eye. And write in the text competition is announced illustrations on which a typical cafe visitor will be drawn. The winners will receive the publication of their work in social networks, prizes and a coffee subscription for a month.

Problem solved: we have found a way to draw the attention of the target audience to the banner. A week later, when the ordered illustration is ready, you can replace the picture. Well, the resulting work will be useful for posts in social networks and new campaigns.

2. What to do if you made a mistake and it cannot be corrected

The example with IKEA became a textbook. In January 2021, buyers noticedthat the company's stores in Singapore and Malaysia sell bags with incorrectly printed information. There was an error in the domain address: instead of ikea.com, the bags were written ikea.co.ma and ikea.co.sg.

Large quantities of goods have already been delivered to stores. It was possible to recall them and release new ones, but these are additional costs and a blow to the image. What to do?

It is easy to single out the main contradiction in this problem. It is necessary to sell all the issued bags, but at the same time they cannot be sold, because they are defective. The ideal final solution can be formulated as follows: all bags are sold, and the company is in the black.

To resolve the contradiction, it is necessary to determine whether the defect is so terrible. An error in the print does not affect the quality of the bag in any way - you can put the same load in it. But a typo can damage the company's image. So, it is necessary to work with the consequences for him. IKEA specialists went exactly this way and turned the minus into a plus.

IKEA said: for us, mistakes are normal. Everyone can make mistakes, and it's not scary.

Yes, the company admitted, we issued bags with the wrong address. But since they are reusable, we will not recall them. We consider this batch to be a limited collection - buy it while it's on sale. The solution turned out to be excellent: all bags were sold, and this case was written about not only in Singapore and Malaysia, but also in other countries.

The same approach can be used for any mistakes at work or business. For example, you sent another letter from the mailing list to subscribers. Typically, your company addresses each subscriber by name. But there was a failure, and the header of each letter turned out to be the same. For example, this one: “Hello, Innokenty Poluektovich. We have good news."

After such an error, some recipients may unsubscribe. The rest will stay, but their mood will deteriorate even a little bit. Some will even write a return letter and swear. Well, or just point out that this is not possible.

Letters cannot be returned, and the error cannot be corrected. Pretending that nothing happened is not a good idea. But you can increase the loyalty of subscribers by sending them an extraordinary letter, apologize and speculate that we all make mistakes sometimes. And add that in the near future for those who receive the newsletter, there is a promotional code for a discount - "Innokenty Poluektovich".

3. How to resolve technical inconsistencies

Here is an example that is often given as a variant of solving a problem with the help of TRIZ. In order for passengers not to accumulate at stops, large and roomy buses are needed. But large vehicles can get stuck in narrow and winding streets. Therefore, buses must be small in order to maintain maneuverability. And before us is a clear contradiction: buses must be both large and small.

Let's formulate the ideal final solution: it is necessary that all passengers can quickly and comfortably move from point A to point B.

Please note: the IFR shows that it is not necessary to transport them on buses. Goals can be achieved in different ways:

• Provide many small and maneuverable machines. But this is very expensive. Yes and traffic jams on the streets will interfere with all road users and greatly reduce the speed of movement.
• Think about whether it is possible to deliver passengers to the desired point not on the surface, but underground. And design another subway line.
• Try to move passengers above the ground. So far, this is from the realm of fantasy, but urban air transport will surely appear someday.
• Try to improve the maneuverability of long buses. It turned out to be possible - accordion buses appeared on the streets of cities.
• Try to increase the capacity of short buses. And this solution turned out to be working - double-decker buses appeared.

You can also act if the product you are going to launch on the market must have two contradictory properties at the same time.

So, we repeat: the main thing in TRIZ is the correct formulation of the conditions of the problem, IFR and the main contradiction. And also - the understanding that there is no single right solution, and it is worth exploring all possible options.