TRIZ does not produce a clear answer when and what method to use, the general recommendation is that the second method should be used when we want to predict how the design product will evolve in the future. On the other hand, many specific patterns of evolution are incorporated into TRIZ problem solving techniques. This situation might create confusion when a newcomer starts learning TRIZ and has no clear picture of TRIZ as a system of knowledge. Pointers to specific technologies which can have a broad range of applications. The pointers are probably the most easy to use tools in TRIZ, but they are not easy to create.
Effects are natural effects and phenomena known in physics, chemistry, and geometry.
In addition, pointers relate the generic technical functions and specific technologies. Although the pointers can be used directly to solve a problem, in most cases a thorough analysis of the problem is still required, in particular, when we deal with ill-defined problem formulation. Knowledge of what particular function is needed to solve the problem is not always available at the very beginning of the problem solving process. The view on TRIZ proposed helps to systematize TRIZ knowledge and brings more clarity into the issue of what TRIZ is and how to look at it. I also highlighted some problems, which require further research.