Heuristic Redefinition

Michael S. Slocum

Before a problem should be solved it is important that it be decomposed into sub-systems. That way each sub-system can be analyzed and the problem can be solved one part at a time. This is an important aspect … Read More

Welcome to the January 2008 Issue of The TRIZ Journal!

Happy New Year! It was one year ago that we re-designed The TRIZ Journal. Do not forget to check back frequently throughout the month for new commentaries, discussion forum posts, new events and job listings.Read More

Student Corner: Dialectic Logic

Logic allows for different viewpoints and, thus, can help lead to more solutions for inventive problems. In dialectic logic, objects or processes can exist in two contradictory states, exhibiting different properties in different times or spaces.Read More

Physico-mathematical Search of Resources

A search of physical properties of an X-element is the important problem in ARIZ. This article represents an attempt to transition from mathematics to physics. Decoding Bartini’s method is one such way.Read More

Supply Chain Improvement for a Forklift Distributor

This paper describes a new model of logistics integration based on the utilization of the contradiction matrix and collaborative planning forecast and replenishment (CPFR).Read More

Global Innovation – Part I

Praveen Gupta

Last month I had an opportunity to speak on innovation at the IIT Chicago’s Bangalore campus. It is amazing to see talk and walk going on in this area there. Then I visited Prakash Kappoth, Senior Manager – Knowledge … Read More

The Long Nose of Innovation

James Todhunter

A very insightful article appears in BusinessWeek online titled “The Long Nose of Innovation.”  Written by Bill Buxton of Microsoft, the article discuss the fact that great innovations don’t just happen, but rather they are the consequence of many … Read More

Competitive Excellence

Michael S. Slocum

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” – Sun Tzu –

A great idea is never enough. Excellent execution is not enough. In today’s complex business environment, … Read More

It’s The End of the Year – Do You Know Where Your Innovation Process Is?

Cass PursellDo a Google search on Innovation in 2007 and see what you return. Lists of cool inventions, next-generation product ideas. A conference or two. No mention, however, of ideas on improving innovation processes. To my mind, this is an … Read More

Balanced Innovation

Bob Carter

In order to understand the relationship between Innovation and growth, it is necessary to first understand why some new product development (NPD) projects are successful while others fail. Funding the right NPD projects is a key leadership challenge that … Read More

Hey, You Got Your Innovative Ideas In My Process Expertise!

Cass PursellPrematurely born innovations generally do not fare well when released too soon into the innovation pipeline. Further, we know from our experience with Lean Six Sigma that clogging the innovation pipeline with too many projects will cause the overall … Read More

VOC and Innovation, Friend or Foe?

Bob Carter

At the recent PDMA Voice of the Customer Conference in Scottsdale, I moderated a panel that discussed whether the Voice of the Customer and Innovation are friends or foes.  Certain industry and thought leaders believe that Innovation gets derailed … Read More

Tens of Innovation

Praveen Gupta

Learning innovation is critical for me in order to teach innovation. I read about other people’s work, and try to expand my understanding of innovation. Recent trend in offering recipes of innovations sound confounding to me. For example, some … Read More

What Did You Do This Year?

Jack Hipple

What Have You Done in the Past Year?

It’s nearing the end of 2007 and it’s been a turbulent year for many businesses and organizations. Everyone seems to recognize the critical role that innovation plays in the long term … Read More

Forbes on Key Business Questions

James Todhunter

I stumbled across an article on Forbes discussing “The 20 Most Important Questions In Business”.  The importance of innovation to a businesses strategy is underscored by this list of questions.  Here are some of the questions identified by Forbes … Read More

Crowd Innovation

James Todhunter

“Avoid the crowd.  Do your own thinking independently.  Be the chess player, not the chess piece.”— Ralph Charell

Crowdsourcing seems to be a popular topic these days.  But, I can’t help thinking that its popularity will be short lived.  … Read More

Innovative Companies – Most, Best, or Managed

Praveen Gupta

The list of Most Innovative companies in Business Week interests me a lot. I do not know what to do with the list. What can one learn from the companies listed on the list? They all look good companies, … Read More

Patents – Innovation Killer or Innovation Accelerator

James Todhunter

It seems every time I scan the recent blog postings on innovation, I see at least one or two posts declaring patents are stifling innovation.  This certainly wasn’t the intent of the patent system.  To the contrary, the idea … Read More

Report on the 3rd Senior Conference on TRIZ Research

Sponsored by the mechanical design academy of the Chinese mechanical engineering society, the 3rd Senior Conference on TRIZ Researching in China was held at Hebei University of Technology on October 20, 2007.Read More

Complete Technical System Generates Problem Definitions

Introducing TRIZ into many corporate environments requires first resolving the contradiction of the desire for comprehensive understanding and sophisticated problem solving without spending any time learning either.Read More