The 9th TRIZ Symposium in Japan
September 5 - 6, 2013

General Methodology for
Creative Problem Solving and Task Achieving－Its Plan－
Toru Nakagawa
Osaka Gakuin University, Professor Emeritus
September 6, 2013
Institute of Mathematical Statistics (Tachikawa, Tokyo)

Contents:
Part 1： Beyond TRIZ, A New Target at a higher level
How TRIZ can be learned and applied in real jobs in industries?
Where can we expect to apply TRIZ? What people want there?
==> A New Target: General methodology for creative problem solving

Part 2: Strategies for establishing the new target
Reviews of different approaches for creative problem solving
Basic strategies for establishing the new general methodology

Part 3: Conceptual plan of the general methodology
of creative problem solving
One for technological applications andAnother for non-technological applications

Part 1： Beyond TRIZ, A New Target at a higher level
Motivation: Why the creative problem solving method, TRIZ, does
not penetrate more smoothly among people?

I built up a number of models to consider this problem.
Model of a person to learn TRIZ
Model of an engineer and an industry to learn and accept TRIZ
Model of areas where the application of TRIZ is desired==>

People in the wide range of application areas of TRIZ
want not TRIZ itself but more general methodology
effective for creative problem solving(Nakagawa, Japan TRIZ Symposium 2012)

Model (a) of a person to learn and master a technique like TRIZ
Advanced
Science &technology

GeneralTechnological
Information
Industry
information
Society &CultureAdvanced
Technologicaldevelopment

A PersonPractice inindustries(creativeengineer)

Specialized/
Engineer
education(engineer)

University
education
Liberal arts
education(student)

Real tasksof development

Methods ofcreativeproblem
Methods
solving TRIZ
Knowledge of R&D
andandTechnique Industrial Consciousness
for creativity
inactivities
specialty
Necessary
Spirit as
field
to trainresearcher /engineer Creative thinking
Basics ofscience &Logical thinking
technology
Establishment of proactivenessHigh school
Examinationmiddle school
CommonStudy
Education
understanding
in theElementarysocietyschool
Education(Commonsense)
Familyeducation(high school
student)

Basic
Mathematics
and science(pupil)Interests innature andtechnology(young child)Intellectual
curiosity

Suppressed,
undeveloped
creativity
Creativity
in the childhood

Model (b) of activities for an engineer and a company
to learn and master TRIZ
External information

Personal study and growth

Activities in an industry

In-company Organizationalorganization TRIZ leaders
Passionfor TRIZ
andmind
Promotion
Patent cases,
promotion
Systematic andPatent DB
by theTRIZ
Organizational
practical mastering
TRIZ
managers
applications
activities
Scientific
Leaders
Systematic
TRIZ papers
In-company
journals
understanding Real Application
and reports
TRIZ
and promotion
In-company
application
Domestic andSymposium
TRIZ Practice
TRIZ
InternationalGroupexperiences
TRIZ
experiences
study group Successconferenceswith successSymposium
cases
Understanding to
TRIZ
Dealers,
development
TRIZ techniques
TRIZ
Application
practitioners
consultants. etc.
tasks
consulting
experience
External TRIZ
Basic knowledge
TRIZ
formyselfLectures,consultantsof TRIZ
TRIZ
seminars.
Trial
andseminars,.
Awareness of
In-company
Interest in TRIZ
trainings
practice
Trainings
the issues
Projects TRIZ Seminars
TRIZ
Knowledge andWeb sites
TRIZ
In-company
Methods of R&D,
Web sites
skills in
Pioneers
TRIZ
specialty field industrial activities
Newspapers,
TRIZ
Homepage
TRIZ
TVs, magazines Introductory
Basic knowledge ofBeginnersscience&technology
articlesSpecialized
software, etc.

TRIZ
Software tools

Textbooks,
books

TRIZ
Textbooks

TRIZ Leader
and promoter

Proactiveness, logical thinking,Spirit of a professional, creativity

Many engineersModel (d) of areas for TRIZ application  Our new general target
Task-achievementFrom
in national andPromotion of
intelligence
local issues
to creativity
Applying TRIZ innovations
Task achievement
Change into various
Promotion of
in agriculture,
Encouraging education
problems
Empowering
advanced
Vitalizing
forestry andpolicyoriginal
intellectual
research
industries
fishery industries
National andresearch
properties
local
policyTask
achievement
Enhancing Foundation of
Success
in manufacturing
Problem solving/
Engineering
technical
examplesIndustries industries
training
education Academia, task achievingof innovation
Problem
Task
Universities
methods
Creativesolvingachievementin
Practices
TheoryThinking
News releasecapability
service industriesof results
Solution
Reforming
Creativeand benefits
Results
high school
thinking
Mass Media,Introduction andeducation
From overweighing
Education
Benefits Publishing publication
Easy
intellectual education Educationof TRIZ
understandingof creativity
Spreading TRIZ
to emphasizing
TRIZ
to intellectual
creativity
spreadingpeopleTechnology Education ofSocietyHome
proactivenessactivities
education

TRIZ

Creativity education
to young children
Leaving thestudy forentrance exams.

Problem solving
capability andflexibility for adults

Achieving
various tasks
in the society

We put TRIZ in the center. But we need a more general method !

Conclusions for Part 1(1) Recognizing 'TRIZ is just one of many subjects for a person to study',
the contents of TRIZ should be either
well customized for the (narrow range of) target persons
or well generalized for the (wider range of) target persons.
(2) Individual persons can learn TRIZ from outside information and promotion,
but mainly from his/her personal learning and experiences.
(3) For an industry to accept TRIZ, personal growth of TRIZ practitioners/
leaders, application of TRIZ to real projects, and promotion by the
management need to go together.
(4) TRIZ is applicable in the technological as well as non-technological areas.
Thus TRIZ has a very wide range of application areas.
However, not TRIZ itself but a more general methodology is wanted.
Thus we have been guided to a new target at a higher level.

The models have guided us
to a new target at a higher level.

a new target at a higher level.
To establish a general methodology ofcreative problem-solving / task-achieving,to spread it widely, andto apply it
to problem-solving and task-achieving jobs
in various domains
in the whole country (and the world)".

Part 2:Strategies for establishing the new target
Reviews of different approaches
for creative problem solving
Basic strategies for establishing
the new general methodology
for creative problem solving

Conventional methods for Creative Problem Solving & Task
Achieving:(a) Basic approach in science & technology: Principles, theories, application & design
methods in each discipline.

(b) Approaches learning from cases: Building and using case bases and knowledge bases(c) Approaches to analyze the problems and tasks: Cause-effect, system, mechanism,etc.

(d) Approaches to support idea generation: generating as widely and as freely as possible,(e) Approaches to arrange environment and take care of mental aspects:
relaxed feeling, free atmosphere, thinking the ideals, etc.

(f) Approaches for realizing the idea: Selecting good ideas, designing & development,
implementation, etc.: technologies in the discipline.

(g) Approaches for thinking the future and suggesting the directions:(h) Approaches towards general methodologies for problem solving:Integrating all the approaches above to build a methodology useful and practical.
A system of methods suitable for each type/field of problems and tasks, and alsoa system of methods universally applicable to a wide range of types and fields.

Various methods for creative problem solving & task achieving
Approach

Examples in conventional methods

Examples in TRIZ/USIT

Basics in Science& Technology

Principles, theories & models in eachdiscipline; knowledge bases

Knowledge bases of physical effects

Learning fromcases

Analogical thinking, Collections of hints,
Equivalent transformation thinking

Active use of patent databases

Analyzingproblems/ tasks

Mind mapping, KJ method (Affinity
method), Quality function deployment(QFD), QC tools, Root cause analysis,
Value engineering (VE), Functional
analysis

Problem definition, Root cause analysis,
Function & attribute analysis,
Formulating contradictions, Substancefield modelingSupporting idea
generation

Brain storming, Brain writing, SCAMPER

40 Inventive Principles, 76 Inventive
standards, Contradiction matrix, USIT
operators

Taking care ofenvironment andmental aspects

Brain storming, Facilitation methods,
Cynectics, NM method, 'The 3rdalternatives'

Ｓｉｚｅ-Time-Cost (STC) operators, Smartlittle people (SLP) modeling, Particles
methodRealizing the ideas

Design methods in each discipline, Pugh's
method, CAD/CAE, Taguchi method

Technical knowledge bases

Foreseeing thefutureUsing various statistics, Delphi method,
Scenario writing

9 Windows method, Trends of technicalevolution, S-curve analysis, DE(Directed evolution)

Towards a general
methodology

Four -box scheme of abstraction,
analogical thinking, Equivalenttransformation thinking

Four-box scheme, ARIZ, Six-box
scheme of USIT

Clarifying the Target of Our New Methodology"A General Methodology for Creative Problem Solving &Task Achieving"• Help to solve problems (i.e., undesirables) andto achieve tasks (i.e., desirables).
• Capable to guide to new creative solutions and measures even forthe problems/tasks conventionally thought difficult/impossible.
• Applicable generally and universally to different fields/areas• Having integrated preceding different methods and different studies• Delivering a methodology (a system of methods) which integrates
various thinking methods, techniques, tools, etc.
• Easy to learn, easy to apply, and effective in actual jobs of application.

"A General Methodology for Creative Problem Solving &Task Achieving"

Principal strategies for establishing it:(A) As the paradigm (or basic scheme), we adopt the 'Six-Box Scheme'.
(<= Conventionally the 'Four-box scheme' in science & technology, and TRIZ)(B) We build one for technology and another for no-technology, in parallel.
(C) Based mainly on the data-flow representation. (<= flow-chart)
Clarifying the input, intermediate, and output information.
Specifying the concepts and methods for representing information.
(D) The ways and processes for acquiring/deriving information may havemultiple alternatives. (Allow different alternative processes.)(E) Take care of mental/psychological aspects of problem solvers andstakeholders.
(F) Establish first the methods in the Thinking World in the Six-box schemeand then the connections to the pre/post methods in the Real World.
(G) We first analyze and describe the methods in TRIZ/USIT under thesestrategies, and then various other conventional methods.

On Strategy (A)Basic scheme for Problem Solving(Conventional: "Four-Box Scheme)
Science & Technologies (Many models, specialized in areas)
Many models in the Knowledge Base

A selected Model
Model's
Generalized problem

Model's
Generalized solution

Concretize

Abstract
User'sSpecific problem

User'sSpecific solution

Contents in the boxes cannot be explained generally, depending on the models.
Mapping onto the model's problem, and use the model's solution as a hint.

Tools of TRIZ (Based on the Four-Box Scheme)（Generalized problem)(a)Target function
Aspect (parameter)in focus(b)

Knowledge base ofphysical effects
Knowledge base oftrends of evolution

Contradiction
Improving aspect vs.
Matrixworsening aspect(d)

Substance-fieldmodelling

User'sspecific problem

40 Inventive
principles

76 Inventive
standards

Concretization

Abstraction(c)(Generalize solution）

User'sspecific solution

Essence: Many tools and huge knowledge bases are applicable across technical fields.
But parallel structure of multiple tools = partialness in each method

Six-Box Scheme of USIT:

Toru Nakagawa (2005)

New Paradigm for Creative Problem Solving

Idea
generation

Ideas fora new system

Abstraction)

Solutionconstruction

Well-defined
specific problem
Problemdefinition

Conceptual
solutionsUser's specificproblemUser's specificsolution

2

1

4

5

(

(

Understanding of
3 the present system
andthe ideal system
ProblemanalysisConcretization)(generalized solution)(generalized problem)

Implementation
6

6-Box Scheme of Creative Problem Solving (USIT)(Abstraction)

Understanding of
the present system
andthe ideal system

Well-defined
specific problem
Problemdefinition
User's specificproblem

Use standard analysis tools in USIT,
for a wide variety of problems(generalized solution)

Idea
generation
Ideas fora new system

Problemanalysis(specific problem)

TRIZ Knowledge bases

Ideas comeout naturally.
andenhancedwith theoperators

Solutionconstruction(specific solution)

Subject-matterknowledge

Conceptual
solutions
Implementation(Concretization)(generalized problem)

USIT
Operators

User's specificsolution

Use technological background and specialty.
TRIZ Knowledge bases are also useful.

6-Box Scheme of Creative Problem Solving (USIT)
TRIZ Knowledge bases

Thinking
World
Methodology(Abstraction)

Real
World
Technology/
Business/
Society

Understanding of
the present systemand the ideal system
Problemanalysis(specific problem)

Well-defined
specific problem
Problemdefinition

User's specificproblem(generalized solution)
USIT
Ideas for
Operators
a new system
Idea
generation

Solutionconstruction(specific solution)
Conceptual
solutions

Implementation
User's specificsolution(Concretization)(generalized problem)

On Strategy (B)General Methodology of Creative Problem-Solving (Outline)

For technological problems For non-technological problems(0) Whole procedure(0) Whole procedure(1) Finding the problem(1) Finding the problem(2) Understanding the present
system(2) Understanding the present
system(3) Imaging the ideals(3) Imaging the ideals & visions(4) Generating ideas(4) Generating ideas(5) Constructing solutions(5) Constructing solutions

We should build these two in parallel.
Essential components of the two are very similar.

On Strategy (C)We use the data-flow representation mainly.
Data Flow
representation：
Flowchart
representation：

Information Process
1

start

Process
1

Information
2

Information
3

Sequence,
Logic
Process2

Data Flow describes the in/out and intermediary information
as requirements.
For describing information, it is important to specify the concepts
and the representation methods.
In Flowcharts, the information to be handled are implicit, not specified explicitly.

Data Flow representations are more basic and stable than the Flowcharts.

On Strategy (D)The ways and processes for acquiring/deriving information
may have multiple alternatives.
(Allow different alternative processes.)• This strategy concerns to some details of the component methods.
We will not get involved in the differences in details;
We will allow multiple alternative ways of processing.
• It will never work if we try to specify the ways of human thinking
process.
We should be free in the thinking process,especially in creative thinking.
• We should better appreciate many conventional methods, in their
merits.
We should know the positions of them in our general framework.

On Strategy (E)(E) Take care of mental/psychological aspects ofproblem solvers and stakeholders.
・ Important to have free & relaxed atmosphere.
• Need to break fixed thinking and psychological inertia.
• Group work and its facilitation are important.
• In the non-technological fields, principal difficulty lies in the
differences in the value/interests evaluation among thestakeholders (including the problem solvers) reflecting theirdifferent situational positions and senses of values.
• Attitudes and minds of the stakeholders are often the keys tothe success in problem solving.
• Necessary to include intentions and feelings in the descriptionof problem situations.

On Strategy (F)(F) Establish first the methods in the Thinking World in the Six-box schemeand then the connections to the pre/post methods in the Real World.
• The methods inside the Thinking World are relatively clear now.
There exist many methods for creative problem solving.
There remain a number of methods to be developed further
・ In the Real World (of the Six-box scheme), a lot to be developed:- In which situations/stages, should we use our general methodology?
- How can we catch the problems/tasks in the Real World andhow can we formulate them into the 'Well-defined specific problems'
to be handled in the Thinking World?
- What procedures should we take for implementing the conceptual
solutions (of the Thinking World) into the real solutions in the RealWorld?
• We should better build our general methodology first by separating
the issues of cooperating in the Real World.

On Strategy (G)(G) We first analyze and describe the methods in TRIZ/USIT underthese policies, and then various other conventional methods.
Outline of USIT
User'sspecific problem
Well-defined
specific problem
Understanding of
the present system +the ideal system
Ideas forthe new system

Problem situations
Group discussion
Problem (Undesired effect), Task
statement, Sketch, Plausible root
causes, Minimum set of objects
Function & attribute analysis,
Function & attribute analysis, Particles method
time & space characteristics,
mechanism of the present system,
Desirable behaviors and desirable
properties of the ideal system
USIT Operators
Ideas for the new systems,
A hierarchical system of ideas
Engineering capability

Conceptual solutions
Conceptual solutions (multiple)

User'sspecific solutions--

Part 3:
Conceptual plan of the general methodology
of creative problem-solving & task-achieving
One for technological applications andAnother for non-technological applications
in parallel

General method for creative problem-solving/task-achieving(for technology)
Whole procedure
Consistent
whole procedure

Imaging the ideals

Simple/specialized Thinking
processes
the imagesof the ideals

Finding the problem
Understanding the
problem systematically
Consider frombroad perspectives

Functions& attributes

Understanding
the mechanism of
the present system

space & time Clarifying
characteristics contradictions

Examine various
present solutions

Considerthe directionof evolution

Generating ideas
Consider thegoals and tasks Techniques ofCollection of
Resolveidea generation possible hints contradictions
Focusing
the problem
Generate ideas as
Identifying
widely as possible
excellent ideas

Understanding
the present system
understanding
difficulties androot causes

Desirable
behaviors &properties

Learn similar tasks
in different fields

Constructing solutions
Extendingthe ideas

Improving solutions
with the ideas

Designing
new solutions

Introducing good ideas
used in different fields

Solving secondary
problems

Identifying and evaluating
excellent solutions

General method for creative problem-solving/task-achieving
Requirements at the(for technology)
Requirements at thesucceeding stage

preceding stage
Applicable widely toscience & technology
Mechanical,
electrical/electronic,
chemical, etc.

Clear relationships
with methods fortechnology
development

biological,
medical, etc.

Using effectively thewhole information inscience & technology
Implementing the
S & T informationin the method.

Effectively using
patent information
Possible to use
concepts, theories,
and methods in thesubject-matter fields.

Able to find andunderstandthe problem
in the real world

Whole procedure

Able toconstruct solutions

Finding the problem
Understanding
the present system

Able to use designingtechniques in thesubject-matter field

Imaging the ideals

Able to implement
the solutions

Generating ideas
Constructing solutions

Introductoryarticles &Able to focus downmaterials
the problem andclarify the task.
Textbooks ofthe methods

Application
Able to refer toexamplesS & T information
wheneverSoftware tools &Use the method ofnecessaryknowledge bases
system analysis in thesubject-matter field.

Easy-tounderstandmethods.
Practical
application
methods
Chances
to learn
Chancesof training

Coordinated withmethods for
implementing solutions(CAD/CAE/CAM,
Taguchi method, etc...
Able to evaluate
the solutionsin the real world

Coordinated withindustrial and company
infrastructure, e.g.,
designing, manufacturing,and sales

General method for creative problem-solving/task-achieving(for non-technology fields) (e.g., humans, society, business)
Whole procedure
Consistent
whole procedure

Imaging ideals & visions

Simple/specialized
processes

Thinking theimages of ideals

Stating
the vision

Consider the directions& steps of evolution

Finding the problem
Understanding
the problem
systematically
From multiple
perspectives

Consider the goals,
tasks, and visions
Focus theproblem

Considerin steps

Understanding
the present system

understanding
difficulties androot causes
Functions &properties oforganizations& personsExamineprecedingcases

Understanding
the mechanism of
the present system

space & time Clarifying
charactercontraistics
dictions
Learn similar tasks
in different countries,
companies, and fields

Generating ideas
Techniques ofidea generation

Collection of
possible hints

List up the ideas
as widely as possible

Resolveconflicts &contradictions
Identifying
excellent ideas

Constructing solutions
Extendingthe ideas

Improving solutions
with the ideas

Designing
new solutions

Introducing good ideas indifferent countries and fields

Solving secondary
problems

Identifying and evaluating
excellent solutions

Concluding Remarks(1) 'General Methodology of Creative Problem-Solving / Task-Achieving' isan integration of many existing methods, including TRIZ,
with the basic paradigm of the 'Six-Box Scheme'.
(2) For the technological application,
its framework and components are under construction by TRIZ/USIT,
and we need to integrate them with various other existing methods.
The significance of this vision need to be understood widely,as the basis for technological innovation and creativity education.
(3) For the non-technological application,
the framework and basic components are similar to the technological ones.
However, real problems are often much larger, more complex and delicate.
Mental/psychological aspects play even larger roles than the tools.
We need to develop many and different methods further.
(4) By setting the new target at a higher level, we will be able to make better
choices in our activities of development, application, and promotion.

Thank you
for your attention
Toru Nakagawa(Osaka Gakuin University, Japan)
nakagawa@ogu.ac.jp"TRIZ Home Page in Japan"
http://www.osaka-gu.ac.jp/php/nakagawa/TRIZ/eTRIZ/ (English)