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Terms and definitions |
| 4-Level Fantasising Scheme. Development of any fantastic subject (space journeys, communications with extraterrestrial intelligence, etc.) features four markedly different categories of ideas: - One object giving a fantastic result; - Many objects collectively giving yet absolutely another result; - Same results, but achieved without an object; - Conditions, where need for results is eliminated. As if four levels of fantastic ideas are gradually built on each subject. The levels are qualitatively different from each other. |
| 76 Standards Solution for Solving Inventive Problems is the most commonly used and known system of 76 standards for solution of technical inventive problems prepared in 1985. This system includes 5 classes of standards: 1. Synthesis and decomposition of Su-field systems. 2. Evolution of Su-field systems. 3. Transition to supersystem and micro-level. 4. Standards on detection and measurement of systems. 5. Standards on application of standards. Refer to: System of Standards for Solving Inventive Problems and its editions, Standard for Inventive Problem Solving. |
| Additional Inventive Principle is an inventive principle not included to the list of 40 main inventive principles offered by G. Altshuller. 40 principles have a developed table of their application based on analysis of system properties conflicting with each other. There are total 10 known additional principles not included to the table of Altshuller. |
| Adequate Level of Function Performance is a term of TRIZ-FA (function analysis) showing correspondence of actual parameters of a system to required parameters. This means adequate function performance for given parameters. |
| Administrative Contradiction. Refer to: original problem situation, Administrative Contradiction. |
| Administrative Contradiction is a term introduced by G. Altshuller for description of an original problem situation in relation to technical systems. Expansion of TRIZ application areas resulted in use of a more general and more accurate term: 'original problem situation'. Refer to: original problem situation. |
| Algorithm of Standards Applying (AIST). Algorithm of standards applying (AIST) is an algorithm containing a branched sequence of questions, answers to which allow going from a problem statement (model) to one or another standard or set of recommended standards for inventive problem solving. AIST is applied using a Su-field (El-field) model of problem. There are known AIST-77 for 'Standards-76' and AIST-2010 for 'Standards-2010'. |
| Allow Unacceptable Method is a method for resolution of contradictions of demands, where one of restrictions in a set of system demands is disregarded in order to trace the chain of effects in the system and supersystem, which may result in automatic real elimination of the contradiction of demands or allows obtaining a resource necessary for resolution of this contradiction of demands. |
| Alternative Systems. Merging Alternative Systems. Alternative systems are systems, which perform the same function, but based on different principles of action or other significant differences, and they thereat have at least one pair of inverse advantages and disadvantages (an advantage of one system is a disadvantage of another system, and vice versa). Attribute analysis of alternative systems allows statement of a problem on synthesis of a new system merging positive attributes of the alternative systems, but without their disadvantages. Inverse properties of alternative systems can serve as a basis for formulation of an alternative technical contradiction. |
| Alternative Technical Contradiction is a contradiction of demands (CD) or a technical contradiction (TC), formulation of which uses a basic system to fulfil Demand 1 and an alternative system to fulfil Demand 2. An alternative technical contradiction is formulated as follows: 'If a system is implemented as (name of a basic system), then its advantage is (fulfilled Demand 1), but there is also a disadvantage (non-fulfilled Demand 2). If a system is implemented as (name of an alternative system), then its advantage is (fulfilled Demand 2), but there is also a disadvantage (non-fulfilled Demand 1)'. |
| Altshuller Genrikh Saulovich. Genrikh Altov, a founder of TRIZ, a science-fiction writer. He was born on October 15th, 1926 and died on September 24th, 1998. He lived in Baku, and then since 1990 in Petrozavodsk. He was an author of all main TRIZ-tools, theory of creative individual development, and creative imagination development course. He was an originator of the TRIZ social movement worldwide, the First President of the International TRIZ Association (Moscow). |
| Altshuller Matrix/Table (Contradiction Matrix) and its modifications is a tool for resolution of technical contradictions based on a table associating typical contradictions of demands with principles of contradiction resolving. A typical property to be improved is found in the leftmost vertical column of the table, while a typical property worsened by known methods is found in the topmost row. A cell at the row and column crossing defines numbers of inventive principles, which are recommended for resolution of contradictions. More than one pairs of typical properties contradicting to each other can be selected to search for recommended inventive principles. There are computer programs, which simplify use of the Altshuller table. There are known modifications of the Altshuller table adapted for business and IT-systems. |
| Analogies. Solutions and Ideas Transfer. Analogy is similarity/equivalence of relations, likeness of objects, events, processes, values, etc. in any attributes, as well as perception through comparison. Analogy of a system or a problem in TRIZ is established based on one or another model: a function, a contradiction, Su-fields, various attributes. During search for a solution of the stated problem, the method of analogies is used to find a similar situation with the already found and applied solution of the stated problem. If a new solution, unknown earlier, is found, the method of analogies helps in finding other objects and processes, where this solution can be applied as well. Analogous problems (clone problems) are problems with already known or yet unknown solutions, which are similar to each other by one or another attribute. The method of analogies is related to application of analogies for problem solving or systems evolution and it is used, for example, in the function-oriented search and feature transfer method. For types of analogies, refer to: Synectics. |
| Analogous Problem is a problem, which is similar by some attributes to the analysed problem. If there is a known solution for the analogous problem, then the analogous solution can be applied also for the analysed problem with solving secondary problems, if they occur during transfer of the solution. Analogous problems may form information funds, which allow solving problems by analogy with the known solutions. The card files of analogous problems became a basis for creation of the standards for inventive problem solving. The function-oriented search is based on search for analogues by the performed function. Bionic ideas are based on analogy of technical problems with the known solutions from biology. |
| Analysis of Problem Situation in TRIZ is focused on detection of directions for its solving through: a) finding a ready solution, b) specifying a set of demands, c) detecting a set of contradictions of demands. Analysis of problem situation may include estimation of information completeness in its description and drawing of a sequence (a road map) of TRIZ-tools application for statement of problems, detection and resolution of contradictions of demands. Need for specifying a set of demands may require forecasting evolution of the analysed systems. Refer to: Problem Situation. |
| Analysis of System Evolution Limits is a methodical tool aimed at detection of conceptually possible limits in achievement of some system parameters with the given principle of action and without conceptual changes in the external environment. Analysis of system evolution limits allows forecasting of future problems occurring during evolution of a system, correct formulation of demands to its evolution, and statement of problems on changing its principle of action. Analysis of system evolution limits also allows identification of correctness and prospects of solving the stated problems. Solution of problems related to approaching the system evolution limit generally requires heavy resource spending with a minimum useful effect. |
| Anti-Flow is a flow with inverse properties relative to another flow. Anti-flow can be inverse by direction, phase state, chemical properties (for example, acid - alkali), physical properties (for example, flows of substance - emptiness). Anti-flow can be used for improvement of a useful flow or neutralisation of a harmful flow. |
| Anti-Function is a function with inverse action relative to another function. Inversion of the function action is defined by inverse change of the function object parameter. If the function object parameter is increased in the function, then this parameter is decreased in the anti-function. If the function parameter is stabilised, then it is changed in the anti-function. If the parameter is measured, then it is hidden. Refer to: Function. |
| Anti-Principle is an inventive principle offering changes in a system inverse to another inventive principle. So, two principles form a pair: principle and anti-principle. For example, fragmentation and merging represent a pair of principle and anti-principle (pair principles). Pair principles are generally more effective than single ones, since their application assumes a whole chain of changes. For example, a system is fragmented first and then its parts are merged back, but in another way different from the former one. One change of a pair principle may result in fulfilment of one demand and the inverse change may result in fulfilment of another system demand. In addition to pair principles, more complicated combinations of principles and effects can be used: for example, fragmentation - inversion - merging. Refer to: Principles of Resolving Contradictions (Inventive Principles). |
| Anti-Process is an anti-function implementation process. Refer to: Process, Operation. |
| Anti-System is a system, where one or another parameter/function is changed to an inverse one. For formulation of an anti-system image, a function-parameter model of the system should be formed and its functions or parameters should be changed to inverse ones. Many anti-systems can be built for one system. |
| Areas of TRIZ Applications describe: 1) problem types solved using TRIZ, 2) areas of human activities, where TRIZ is applied, and 3) project types implemented using TRIZ. 1. Two problem types focused on systems evolution can be distinguished in TRIZ: a) detection, analysis, and resolution of contradictions of demands, b) synthesis of a system 'AS TO BE' from a system 'AS IS' using evolutionary tools of TRIZ (laws, lines of evolution, analogies, principles of system changes, etc.) 2. In addition to technical areas, TRIZ is applied for solution of problems and evolution of systems in business activities, management, medicine, science, social-cultural systems, art, chess, literature (for creation of plots), etc. 3. Various types of project activities specific for TRIZ can be distinguished, which can be interrelated and complementary for each other: consulting, verification, production, innovation, bypassing nuisance patents, forecasting, etc. Refer to: Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). Model of TRIZ. |
| ARIZ and its modifications. Algorithm of inventive problem solving (ARIZ) is a complex algorithmic program based on the laws of technical systems evolution and designed for analysis and solution of inventive problems. ARIZ is a complex method for analysis of systems with the tools of transition from system 'AS IS' to models of system 'AS IS', then from models of system 'AS IS' to models of system 'AS TO BE', and finally to system 'AS TO BE'. The ARIZ logic is reflected in the TRIZ model logic and it corresponds to the components of inventive thinking: analysis - synthesis - estimation. The ARIZ complex contains: system models and their changes, model transformation rules, methodical notes, references to information funds, tools for control of psychological inertia, tools for analysis and evolution of found solutions. Some ARIZ steps can be performed cyclically on multiple occasions. Since 1956, more than 20 ARIZ modifications were developed with a continuously increasing level of the inventive potential of this TRIZ tool set. An ARIZ modification code usually includes its year of development and version (a, b, c, etc.). At present, the ARIZ evolution continues and its new versions are developed. ARIZ can be implemented in form of computer programs, for example, in Compinno-TRIZ software package. At that, a machine-oriented ARIZ can be notably different from a human-oriented ARIZ, but its common operation logic is kept. Efforts to develop ARIZ-based software packages were taken since 1989. The algorithm of inventive problem solving (ARIZ) is a key TRIZ-tool. ARIZ was developed as a method of inventive problem solving as early as in the first publications of G. Altshuller and R. Shapiro in 1956. For a long time till 1977, the invention method was called ARIZ. The 'TRIZ' term appeared only with the laws of technical systems evolution and other developments, and ARIZ became just a part of this theory. ARIZ includes all main TRIZ-tools designed for problem analysis and solving. At that, the tools are organised to a defined system, which at each step allows specification of a problem essence, targets, resources, and possible solution ideas. |
| Aspect of System Consideration is a 'point of view', a part of an object under consideration. Almost any object can be considered from viewpoint of material and non-material aspects, as well as technical, economical, social, legal, political, etc. Aspect of consideration corresponds by hierarchy to consideration of interaction fields: physical, chemical, biological, social, social-technical, etc. Depending on aspect of consideration, the fields considered during analysis of the system are changed, and properties, functions, parameters, resources, problem formulations, systems evolution forecasts are also changed. |
| Attribute (Feature) (English - property) is development of certain system qualities during interaction of systems. Attributes are classified as substantial and insubstantial, generalised and specific, necessary and accidental, etc. Attributes of systems can serve as a basis for defining their similarities and differences from each other. Attributes can be measured using parameters (primary attributes) and properties (secondary attributes) of systems. Implementation of functions, processes, flows, and principles of action of functional-and-targeted systems as a whole depends on attributes of a system or its elements. |
| Auxiliary Function is a term of TRIZ-FA (function analysis of systems) meaning a useful function, which performs preparatory or supporting functions necessary for implementation of main functions of the system. |
| Auxiliary Systems are systems, association of which to the main system allows improving its properties or performing auxiliary functions for the main system. Auxiliary systems are different from complementary systems as follows: a) auxiliary systems do not provide complete performance of the principle of action and they only improve the system properties; b) auxiliary systems are not displaced in the evolution process and they can be developed and formed to independent systems. Refer to: Law of Forming and Development of Auxiliary, Competitive, and Alternative Systems. |
| Axes of System Operator are coordinates of a set of system operator screens showing location of one or another screen in a field of system relations of an initial system. If the central screen (system 'AS IS' now) is taken as a reference in the system operator, then several different axes can be 'laid' from this point: 1) time (past, present, future); 2) organisation level (subsystem, system, supersystem); 3) system parameter change axis in the screen (anti-system, system with shifted properties); 4) space. The space can be physical and abstract (a set of points). Stages of the system lifecycle or other important events in the system evolution can be plotted on the time axis in the system operator, rather than time units of measure (minutes, hours, years). Refer to: System Operator or Multi-Screen Talented Thinking Scheme, Stages of System Lifecycle. |
| Basic Parameters of Value. Basic parameters of value reflect fulfilled demands expressed by consumers. For example, potential customers of BMW series 5 apparently want to get superior steerability and a BMW series 5 car definitely fulfils this demand. Refer to: Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis. |
| Basic Technical System is a technical system, in relation to which alternative technical systems are searched and an alternative technical contradiction is formulated. Refer to: Alternative Technical Contradiction. |
| Benchmarking is qualitative comparison of two or more systems/concepts between each other by main properties (parameters). The properties selected for comparison should be objective at most and, if possible, measured quantitatively. Qualitative, rather than quantitative properties may be used for comparison in TRIZ. At that, the quantitative properties are used to get these qualitative estimations. At that, the necessary target range of values is defined for each selected parameter in certain benchmarking-based analysis. If one of the systems/concepts does not correspond to the necessary range even by one of parameters, it is rejected from consideration. Benchmarking may use alternative properties. For example, processing of details may be permitted either in batches or continuously. The benchmarking results may be used to select one or another concept and apply the feature transfer method. |
| Biological Effect is an effect inherent to biological objects (bacteria, flora, fauna) or their combinations, which can be used for inventive problem solving. Refer to: Effect. |
| Biological Field of Interaction is a field of interaction, which provides interaction and interrelation of biological properties of two and more elements. |
| Bi-System is a system merging two identical, modified, inverse, or different systems, thereat with occurrence of a new quality or new attributes of the new system, which do not come to the attributes and qualities of either of these two initial systems separately. |
| Bi-System with Identical Parameters is a bi-system merging two identical systems with identical properties. This is the simplest formation scenario of bi-systems, which yet can create new system attributes and qualities, for example: higher production capacity, higher reliability, shorter duration of continuous action, etc. |
| Bi-System with Inverse Parameters is a bi-system merging two initial systems with any properties, which are inverse relative to each other (parameters, functions, flows, processes, attributes). Such bi-systems generally allow a more diverse range of performed functions, for example: drawing and erasing, nail driving and pulling, cooling and heating, etc. |
| Bi-System with Shifted Parameters is a bi-system, where merged systems are different from each other by any properties. At that, the difference is not radical to inversion as in bi-systems with inverse parameters. For example: pencil with blue and red leads simultaneously, mobile phone with two displays (colour and monochrome), etc. |
| Bottleneck (or pinch point) is a term of flow analysis used for description of the narrowest place in the flow channel creating maximum flow resistance and restricting movement (advancement) of something similar to a bottle neck, narrowness of which does not allow pouring or spilling out all its contents at once. A bottleneck should be detected and eliminated to improve a useful flow, or vice versa, it should be specially created, if a flow restriction is required. Refer to: Flow Analysis. |
| Brainstorming in TRIZ is referred to non-algorithmic methods for activation of creative imagination and reduction of psychological inertia. This method is designed for collective solution of problems, where discussants generate the maximum number of ideas for solution of the problem including the most fantastic and foolish ideas (this is the 1st phase of ideas generation, where criticism is prohibited). Then, the best practicable solutions are selected from the offered options. This is the 2nd phase including criticism and expert estimation of the generated ideas. |
| Business Problems in TRIZ are inventive problems or original problem situations focused on achievement of some business (enterprise) targets. Features of business problems and business systems are interrelated in that they should be considered in several material and non-material aspects simultaneously, for example: technical, biological, social-psychological, economical, financial, informational, managerial, etc. Features of non-technical aspects of business systems make additional demands to the TRIZ tools for forecasting and resolution of contradictions: management of system demands, features of non-physical spaces for formulation of a conflict zone, application of effects from various areas of expertise, etc. Refer to: Operational Zone of Parameters of Conflict (OZPC). |
| Bypassing Patents is a slang term, which means finding of solution for a problem occurred as a result of restrictions imposed by one or another patent for invention. There are several possible directions for exemption from restrictions imposed by nuisance patents for inventions: a) recognition of a patent being in force as invalid by some legal reasons; b) development and patenting of an invention not using at least one independent claim of the nuisance patent; c) finding of a technical solution not using that described in the patent for invention. Since all these directions basically contain some contradictions of demands, then TRIZ-methods can be effectively applied for their implementation. For example: principles of contradiction resolving and standards for inventive problem solving, function-ideal modelling and trimming, etc. One of TRIZ application features for such problems is that text and structure of a 'nuisance' patent for invention are analysed as a non-material system, rather than a real system. |
| Card File of Biographies of Creative Personalities is an information fund with studied biographies of creative personalities based on postulates and models of the theory of creative individual development and composing the information basis of this theory. Each 'card' of this card file is a studied certain biography of a creative personality. From the methodological point of view, these studies are most often based on qualities of the creative personality, study and illustration of separate steps in his/her life strategy, and maximum upward aspiration concept. The card files of biographies of creative personalities allow development of the theory of creative individual development. |
| Catalogues of Effects (physical, biological, geometrical, chemical, etc.) are classifiers (tables) of effects based on relations of effects with performance of some actions on function objects. Catalogues of effects can be built on a parametric basis: which parameter is changed in a function. Two options are possible for creation of such relations: 1) Table with a list of actions on a function object (heat, move, grind, etc.) also indicating effects, which can be implemented by these actions. 2) Inverse table with a list of various effects also indicating actions, which can implement them. Catalogues of effects are based on analyses of big data sets with descriptions of applied effects including patent funds of inventions. The first catalogue of physical effects was prepared by Y. Gorin in 1973. At present, computer programs are developed in order to use catalogues of effects. |
| Cause-Effect Chain is a graphical model of system disadvantages showing dependency of the system target undesirable effect on intermediate and key undesirable effects. Refer to: Cause-Effect Chains Analysis (CECA). |
| Cause-Effect Chains Analysis (CECA) is a method for analysis of a system designed for detection of key causes resulting in occurrence of target undesirable effects in the system and based on building of cause-effect chains of the existing system disadvantages. This chain can be built as a graphical or other model showing interdependency of the system undesirable effects. The cause-effect chains analysis is performed in the following cases: - When causes for occurrence of an undesirable effect are not clear; - When causes for occurrence of an undesirable effect should be specified. CECA establishes a relation between the target disadvantages, intermediate disadvantages, and, finally, key disadvantages, which can be reformulated to problems. Key disadvantages represent a source of key problems. There are CECA rules including those for establishment of cause-effect relations (cause-effect chains). Cause-effect chains can be built 'inward' (to subsystems), 'outward' (to supersystems) and 'in-plane' (within one system). The result of the cause-effect chains analysis is a list of key and intermediate problems. Intermediate problems are formulated using a negation operator (for breaking of cause-effect chains). Refer to: Negation Operator. |
| Cause-Effect Chains Analysis. Refer to: Cause-Effect Chains Analysis (CECA). |
| Certain Type of Field of Interaction is a field of interaction, which provides interaction and interrelation of certain property types (thermal, mechanical, physical, chemical, biological, social, etc.) of two and more elements. Refer to: Field of Interaction. |
| Chain El-Field (Su-Field) represents two complete El-fields (Su-fields), which form a sequential chain through one common element (substance). A chain El-field can be considered as evolution of a complex El-field, where a complementary field of interaction is added between elements El2 and El3. A chain El-field can have more than two Su-fields merged in the same way. |
| Chain of Contradictions is hierarchy of contradictions interrelated by cause-effect chains: contradiction of demands to a system, contradiction of a system element attribute at macro-level, contradiction of a system subelement attribute at micro-level, etc. Advancement along this chain results in specification of contradictions, IFR, and possible resources for solution of a problem. |
| Change Parameter is changing or stabilisation of one or another parameter in an analysed system. Standard pairs of changes are used for generalised actions in a function model: increase-decrease, change-stabilise. |
| Changing Value System is a fantasising method based on formation of fantastic situations and objects through adding (or changing) a special social value level to one or another object, which is not usual for it. This change serve as a basis for formation of a fantastic/fabulous plot. |
| Channel is a system element in a flow area model, which directs the flow from a source to a receiver. Refer to: Flow, Receiver, Source. |
| Characteristics Dissonance Analysis is a method for analysis of interrelated different properties of one system or analysis of the same property of different systems for separation of problem situations and statement of problems. Characteristics dissonance analysis may use the same property of the same system, but in different periods of time or at different stages of the system lifecycle. A dissonance in TRIZ is deharmonisation of interrelated properties of one system or several similar systems. Characteristics dissonance analysis is detection of possible contradictions in systems evolution based on comparison of interrelated properties of the systems disrupting anticipated or desirable relations between these properties. Characteristics dissonance analysis is complex generalisation of analysis types with similar approaches: functional-cost analysis (FCA), sociometry, analysis of evolution limits, cognitive dissonance theory, function analysis, etc. These analysis types can be considered as a particular case of characteristics dissonance analysis. |
| Chemical Effect is a natural-scientific effect based on chemical phenomena or their combination. Catalogues of chemical effects are created to search for a necessary chemical effect. In addition to descriptions of effects, the catalogues give information on functions, which can be implemented using them, and examples of inventions made on their basis for resolution of some contradictions of demands. |
| Chronokinematics of Technical Systems is a research area of regularities in evolution of technical systems from viewpoint of time as a resource for functioning of a system. An ideal technical system should minimise both substance/energy/space resources and time resources. An ideal system in chronokinematics performs a function without time spending. Maximum number of functions should be performed per unit time. Contradiction of technical systems evolution: a system should not spend time for functioning in order to be ideal and it should spend substantial time in order to perform real operations. Three directions are distinguished for idealisation of systems in time: a) shorten time for performance of an operation; b) combine several operations; c) increase number of functions, at the same time shortening their performance time. These directions are described by several chronokinematic lines of evolution. During evolution of systems and solution of inventive problems, chronokinematics offers to use rhythms matching, pauses, pulses, and their amplitude, changing of process frequencies, continuity of useful processes, preliminary actions. The 'chronokinematics' term was introduced in 1988 by V. Fei. Refer to: Processes. |
| Civilisphere (global planetary civilisation sphere of the Earth) is a new geosphere (relative to the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere), which is formed through system merging of earthly civilisations. At present, it is at a stage of formation and rapid changes. The civilisphere is different from the noosphere. The minimum constituent of the noosphere is the human. Formation of the noosphere began with appearance of Neanderthal men 40000 years ago. The occurrence mechanism and evolution model of the noosphere are not described. In turn, the civilisphere occurred with appearance of the first civilisations 6000 years ago (for example, the Sumerian civilisation) and its minimum system was a social-cultural system (an ethnic group). According to I. Vernadskiy, the noosphere is a new state of the biosphere. In turn, the civilisphere concept is based on that it is a new type of the geosphere different from the noosphere, since the culture as a geological power occurs only with occurrence of civilisations. The TRIZ-civilisation social tools should become important constituents of the civilisphere. |
| Classical TRIZ is a set of scientific-research, practical, methodical, didactical, popular, and other materials concerning TRIZ developed by G. Altshuller, R. Shapiro, as well as drawn by the apprentices of G. Altshuller under his guidance. The classical TRIZ developments were drawn in the period from 1956 to 1998. The developments contradictory to the fundamental provisions of the classical TRIZ are destructive and focused on regress of TRIZ as a theory and a social movement. Refer to: Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). |
| Clone Problems are two or more problems, which are analogues for each other. Refer to: Analogous Problem. |
| Competitive Technical Systems are technical systems performing the same function, but in different ways based on different principles of action. |
| Complementary Function is a term of TRIZ-FA (function analysis of systems) meaning a useful function, which jointly with the primary function provides development of an object's parameters of value (S. Litvin, 1991). |
| Complementary Systems are systems possessing the necessary attributes and functions, which complement another system for implementation of conditions for complete performance of the principle of action in a new system formed through such merging (system 'AS TO BE'). Complementary systems are generally used almost 'as is' from the environment with their minimum changes. Universal complementary system can be referred to a person, who can perform both functions of an energy source, and control functions, as well as other functions necessary for operability of the new system. Complementary systems may be displaced in the evolution process by competitive systems, which may be transformed to a subsystem of the new system. Refer to: Law of Completeness of Formation of the Principle of Action to Achieve Goals. |
| Complete El-Field (Su-Field) is an El-field (Su-field), where at least all its main components are known: two elements (substances) and a field of their interaction for an internal El-field or two fields and an element transforming one field to another for an external El-field. |
| Complete Technical System is a term, which is not always correctly used in TRIZ for designation of a machine model containing all main elements, without which normal functioning of the machine is impossible: 'energy source - engine - transmission - working unit - control unit'. Refer to: Law of Completeness of System Components. |
| Complex Su-Field is a Su-field with an additionally inserted third substance Su3, which can be associated to the substance Su1 or Su2, increasing the system controllability or adding its new attributes, thereby increasing the technical system efficiency and solving the inventive problems occurred before formation of the complex Su-field. Two types of complex Su-fields are distinguished: internal and external. The complex Su-field is a particular case of the complex El-field. |
| Component of a system is a system part in form of an element (a substance) or a field. Components themselves basically can be considered as independent systems consisting of many other elements (subelements) and fields of interaction. Separation of the system to components is one of analytical processes of the system modelling and it can be different depending on the modelling goals and one or another classification attribute, which is subject to component analysis, for example, functional attribute, resource attribute, stated problem level, etc. Refer to: Element, Refer to: Material Object. |
| Component-Structural Diagram of System is representation of a system in form of tables or graphs of the system components, relations between them, and properties of these components and relations. It is a result of a component-structural analysis. |
| Component Analysis is a method for analysis of a functional-and-targeted (in particular, technical) system or a process based on detection of its parts (components). Distinguishing of components is not a trivial procedure and it depends, in particular, on the analysis goals. The component analysis can be performed with cycling for correction and specification of the component model: component analysis - structure analysis - function analysis - and again component analysis. |
| Component Model of System is a list of system components (elements and fields) obtained as a result of a component analysis and designed for formation of component-structural, function, flow, and process models of the system. Refer to: Component Analysis. |
| Component-Conflict Analysis is a method for cause-effect chains analysis of a contradiction of demands, which establishes cause-effect relations between a system change, fulfilment of Demand 1, and fulfilment of Demand 2, in order to specify the analysed contradiction and transit to another related contradiction of system demands or contradiction of system element attributes. |
| Components of Problem Situation are constituents of a formalised model describing a problem situation, which can be used to estimate completeness of this description whether its information is sufficient for resolution of the problem situation. When description of the distinguished components of the problem situation contains less information, the process of its resolution is more complicated. The set of described components of the problem situation can be different, for example, availability of the following descriptions can be estimated: ● Problem objects. ● Metrics (target, economical feasibility, demanded numerical indicators). ● Object properties. ● Permissible expenses and complication of the solution. ● Possible bypasses. Formulation of a more general problem. ● Comparison for selection of problems. ● Supersystems. Comparison with discipline trends. External environment. ● Demands and their details. ● System elements (attributes, changeable/unchangeable items, product - tool). ● Undesirable effect (harmful interaction). ● Cause-effect relation of element attributes and undesirable effect. Each of components in description of the problem situation can be estimated by a five-grade scale or using another formal method. Refer to: Evaluation of Completeness of the Problem Situation (Inventive Problem), Road Map of TRIZ-Project. |
| Components of Inventive Thinking are constituents of the inventive thinking system. Three groups of inventive thinking components are distinguished: 1) analysis of a system 'AS IS', 2) synthesis of a new system, and 3) estimation of introduced changes. Components of inventive thinking correspond to phases of the inventive thinking process for formation of a system 'AS TO BE' from a system 'AS IS'. Components of inventive thinking can be developed at various levels and they are estimated by a scale from 0 to 5 (higher is better). Refer to: Inventiveness Scale. |
| Components of Inventive Thinking Analysis represent a group of inventive thinking components focused on distinguishing of elements, structure, and functions of a system, detection of interrelations and interactions in the system, separation of available contradictions, and building of an ideal model of the system. This group includes: - Procedure of component analysis; - Procedure of establishing interrelations and interactions (structure analysis); - Procedure of function analysis; - Procedure of cause-effect chains analysis; - Procedure of transition to supersystem; - Procedure for changing systems over time; - Sensitivity to contradictions; - Procedure of ideal modelling. Refer to: Inventive Thinking, Inventive Thinking Model, Procedure for Changing Systems over Time. |
| Components of Inventive Thinking Estimation represent a group of inventive thinking components focused on check of obtained solutions for possible harmful and useful effects from changes introduced to the system. Refer to: Inventive Thinking. This group includes: - Sensitivity to resolution of contradictions; - Critical thinking; - Originality. Refer to: Inventive Thinking, Inventive Thinking Model. |
| Components of Synthesis of Inventive Thinking represent a group of inventive thinking components focused on transformation of an initial system according to necessary demands, search for analogues, and application of system transformation tools. This group includes: - Procedure of resources applying; - Procedure of analogy applying; - Flexibility (capability to generate many various ideas); - Procedure of applying principles of resolving contradictions. Refer to: Inventive Thinking, Inventive Thinking Model. |
| Component-Structural Analysis is a method for analysis of a functional-and-targeted (in particular, technical) system based on sequential performance of component and structure analyses. For components distinguished during the component analysis, the structure analysis establishes presence of their interrelations and interactions, as well as nature of these relations. The component-structural model built thereby serves as a basis for building of a function model, a flow model, or a process model of the system. |
| Concept in TRIZ is a whole and studied solution of problem situation describing a certain and justified scenario of transition from a system 'AS IS' to a system 'AS TO BE'. A concept basically should undergo verification and preliminary check with estimation of possible expenses and expected effect from the concept implementation. TRIZ-projects require justification of the concept from the perspective of TRIZ-tools and resolution of the formulated contradiction of demands. The concept should have some defined properties, which can be used for its comparison with other alternative concepts solving the same problem situation. The concept may specify one or another conceptual direction or conceptual subdirection. |
| Conceptual Direction is generalised formulation of a possible solution of problem situation or a sequential program of actions, which can provide the required result. The conceptual direction may be free of certain steps for transition from a system 'AS IS' to a system 'AS TO BE' and may not confirm operability of the offered solution idea. The conceptual direction may contain separate conceptual subdirections and separate concept groups or it may be broken to them. For example, the conceptual direction for a certain problem may be reduction of heat consumption in technological processes for cost saving. At that, it is not always clear, whether such reduction of heat consumption is permissible, whether the expected result will be achieved, which restrictions can come into effect due to this, and which other demands of the system will then become non-fulfilled. Researches of the conceptual direction allow formulation of conceptual subdirection and elaboration of more detailed concepts of the problem situation solution. Refer to: Conceptual Subdirection. |
| Conceptual Subdirection is generalised formulation of a possible solution of problem situation or a sequential program of actions, which can provide the required result under one or another already formulated conceptual direction. The conceptual subdirection keeps or upgrades the property change necessary for the problem solution as stated in the conceptual direction, but it specifies the exact procedure of this change and/or another property of the system to be also changed. For example, if the concept assumes necessary reduction of heat consumption in the technological process, then the conceptual subdirection can be aimed at achievement of this result through decrease of the process temperature, or acceleration of the process, or reduction of heat loss, or application of other materials / other pressure, etc. Refer to: Concept. |
| Conflict is a confrontation, a collision of two or several subjects conditioned by opposition, incompatibility of their interests, demands, value systems, or knowledge. As distinct from the conflict, a conflict situation is only a pre-condition for occurrence of the conflict. The conflict and conflict situation in TRIZ can be considered as an original problem situation with possible presence of a contradiction of demands. Resolution of the contradiction of demands with TRIZ-methods also eliminates the conflict and conflict situation. Refer to: original problem situation. |
| Refer to: Conflicting Pair (Components). |
| Conflicting Pair (Components) is two (or three) elements, where both useful and undesirable interactions occur simultaneously between them, for example: harmful, insufficient, missing, etc. Typical conflicts in conflicting pairs are described in 9 diagrams of typical conflicts. The interaction space of the conflicting pair is an operational zone of conflict, while the period of time, during which this conflict takes place, is an operational time. |
| Contradiction is a multi-value concept, which has its features in logic, dialectics, and TRIZ. In logic, any expression containing mutually exclusive statements is false. In dialectics, a contradiction (a dialectical contradiction) is considered as a dual relation within the whole: unity and 'struggle' of opposites. Two types of dialectical contradictions can be distinguished: a) one object has two opposing attributes at the same time (shadow is impossible without light, northern end of a magnet is impossible without southern end, win of someone in a game most often means loss for another); b) one attribute of the object is reversed to opposite in time and space (water potential of a dam is high at the beginning, but low at the end, while velocity of this flow is low at the beginning, and high at the end). Internal, external, and antagonistic contradictions are distinguished in dialectics. Dialectical contradictions represent a source of system evolution. Contradictions in TRIZ are associated with demands to a system, which turn out to be incompatible with each other due to attributes of this system. Refer to: Contradiction of Demands, Contradiction of Attribute. |
| Contradiction of Attribute/Feature (CA/CF), Physical Contradiction (PC). Contradiction of attribute is formulation of inverse states of one or another attribute of one element in a system necessary for fulfilment of inverse demands to the system. Physical, chemical, and biological attributes are used for material systems. Formulation of a contradiction for physical attributes is called 'physical contradiction'. Template for formulation of a contradiction of attribute: An element of a conflicting pair should have Attribute 'A' to fulfil Demand 1 and Attribute 'NOT-A' to fulfil Demand 2. The contradictions of attributes of the elements are associated via cause-effect chains with the contradiction of demands to the system as a whole. |
| Contradiction of Demands/Requirements (CD/CR) is a situation, where one or another change in a system allows fulfilling one demand (Demand 1) of a supersystem to the system, but prevents from fulfilling another demand (Demand 2) to the same system, and, vice versa, an inverse change in the system allows fulfilling Demand 2, but prevents from fulfilling Demand 1. A contradiction of demands, where Demand 1 is fulfilled, is called 'Contradiction of Demands 1' (CD-1). A contradiction of demands, where Demand 2 is fulfilled, is called 'Contradiction of Demands 2' (CD-2). |
| Contradiction Resolving in TRIZ is a process of formulating a contradiction of demands to a system from a problem situation, related contradictions of element attributes at macro-/micro-levels, and resolution of these contradictions through changing demands and finding known solutions for similar contradictions or using TRIZ-tools for resolving contradictions (methods and principles of resolving contradictions, standards, ARIZ, etc.). One of TRIZ-approaches is to find such solution for conflicting demands to the system and related parameters of its elements, which would completely and without 'concessions' fulfil all conflicting demands, rather than an optimum/compromise solution option. |
| Control Question Method is a method for elimination of psychological inertia based on a sequential check list of some typical questions, answers to which allow knocking down the initial psychological inertia and prompt some search directions for a new unusual solution of the stated problem. The control question method helps an inventor to gain a more complete insight into the problem, consider it all around, and systematise the solution search. This method is an improved version of the trials and errors method. So, each control question acts as a trial or a series of trials. During composition of check lists, authors select the most effective questions based on the inventive experience. There are known check lists of control questions composed by A. Osborn, T. Eiloart, G. Polya and other authors. The control question method in TRIZ is considered as a weak method in comparison with TRIZ-tools based on the laws of systems evolution. Refer to: Methods for Eliminating Psychological Inertia. |
| Control Unit is a part of a machine model (energy source - engine - transmission - working unit - control unit) controlling the machine according to the stated targets. Refer to: Complete Technical System. |
| Cost Analysis is a term of FCA (functional-cost analysis) and TRIZ-FA (function analysis) associated with calculation of expenses for performance of functions and their comparison with significance of the analysed functions. Expenses for performance of functions can be composed of expenses for components providing these functions and for processes, which result in performance of these functions. Under conditions of a real production accounting system, these expenses are either very difficult to measure or estimated with low accuracy insufficient to define significance of one or another problem. |
| Cost of Component is a term of cost analysis associated with calculation of expenses for components providing performance of one or another function. If components are purchased in the market, then expenses can be the same as the purchase cost of these components. If these components are manufactured at the enterprise, then expenses are defined by the production cost (sum of fixed and variable expenses), plantwide and shop expenses, and cost accounting policy at the enterprise. This complicates obtaining of objective data on expenses for each particular component of the system. |
| Coupled Harmful-Useful Interaction is a type of interaction in an El-field (a Su-field) or an El-field formula, where harmful and useful interactions between the same elements or fields of interaction exist simultaneously. This interrelation type is an example of a standard problem model. Refer to: Standards for Inventive Problem Solving. |
| Creative Imagination Development (creative imagination development course) is a system of effective methods for control of imagination and fantasising during solution of inventive problems. Creative imagination development is similar to gymnastics for an athlete. Gymnastics is absolutely necessary for all athletes in any sport discipline. In the same way, solution of any creative problems, such as scientific, technical, artistic, organisational, depends to a large extent on the ability to 'use fantasy'. Main typical features of creative imagination development in TRIZ: - Imagination development is supported by conscious use of the laws of systems evolution. - Fantasy is considered as a vector ('jumping ability of a thought'): both the jump length and its direction are important. - TRIZ and 'Repository of science-fiction ideas' serve as sources of strong methods and principles. - The creative imagination development course is associated with TRIZ-training. - Results cannot be demanded from students, if such results are not supported by relevant methods and exercises. |
| Critical Thinking is a component of the inventive thinking estimation group allowing thinking operations focused on conformity to the ideal model and detection of new system relations. |
| Culture is a system of all non-material (informational) sets of human activities directly or indirectly focused on changing of the material world or formation of the human value system: technology, science, religion, art, economy, politics, etc. Culture should be distinguished from material media of culture elements. |
| Cyclic El-Fields represent an El-field structure comprising a sequential chain of elements interrelated by fields of interaction, where the first element is related at the same time with the last element. Modelling of systems using cyclic El-fields is typical, for example, for environmental systems, systems with recycling of raw materials, and feedback-based control systems. |
| Debut in ZhSTL (Life Strategy of Creative Personality) is a phase in the life strategy of a creative personality (ZhSTL), which describes interaction steps of the creative personality with external circumstances at the first formation steps of the creative personality from birth to formation of Worthy Goal 1. The main thesis of this ZhSTL phase consists in that external circumstances direct the person away from the worthy goal statement, impose consumer goals and passive behaviour, provide with miseducation, insufficient level of information awareness, and severe conditions of life. The main counter-moves of the creative personality are self-education, meeting with miracle, selection of Worthy Goal 1. |
| Degree of Ideality is a numerical non-dimensional value of ideality estimation using the ideality equation, which allows comparing different, alternative, and competitive systems, or a system 'AS IS' with a system 'AS TO BE' by proximity of these systems to ideality. For calculation of the ideality degree, it should be normalised to unified and comparable measured properties of useful functions, expenses, and harmful functions. Refer to: Ideality Equation. |
| Demand (Requirement) is a target, a function, a restriction, or an interrelation focused on some objects (systems) and to be implemented. Demands can come from supersystems, surrounding systems, and system itself forming thereby a system (a set) of interrelated demands. |
| Demanded Parameters of Value represent non-fulfilled demands expressed by consumers. For example, BMW Group never attempted to create an all-wheel drive vehicle despite growing demand of consumers and fierce competition with Mercedes offering all-wheel drive vehicles to consumers. Therefore, the demand for all-wheel drive vehicles was non-fulfilled, but also expressed demand of BMW clients (all-wheel drive BMW M5 entered the market in 2016). Refer to: Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis. |
| Density of Problem is a numerical indicator of a problem situation showing a specific value of a parameter, which characterises the considered problem. Refer to: Problem. Such parameters can be energy, consumables, rejection rate, wage fund, and other parameters numerically characterising one or another considered problem situation. The specific value of such parameter can be reduced to an area, where the total value of this parameter is formed, to a unit of the total quantity of equipment / operations / elements, to a time unit, etc. The specific density values of the problem situation can serve as a basis for ranking of various problem situations and stated problems. The higher the specific density of the problem, the more urgent the considered problem can be, and the more promising its solution can be. For example, the plant's expenses for electricity per tonne of products are RUB 350 and expenses for gas are only RUB 212. The main expenses for electricity account for 12 various units, while those for gas - only for one equipment unit. I.e. the problem density is almost by 8 times higher for gas than for electricity. Statement of problems for reduction of gas consumption in this example is more promising, rather than for reduction of electricity consumption. |
| Derivative Resources are substance-field resources (SFR) obtained through transformation, separation, or merging of initial resources. Derivative resources should be obtained almost free of charge with minimum changes in the available resources. The following operations can be performed on resources: mix them (also with 'emptiness'), change aggregate state, use combustion products, use various attributes upon exposure to fields, get ions and atoms as resources from molecules. The following substance hierarchy can be followed to obtain a necessary resource through finishing or decomposition: • Minimally processed substance (simplest technical substance, for example, wire); • 'Super-molecules': crystalline lattices, polymers, molecule associations; • Complex molecules; • Molecules; • Molecule parts, atom groups; • Atoms; • Atom parts; • Elementary particles; • Fields. ARIZ includes a section on mobilisation and application of substance-field resources. In particular, there is a step for application of derivative resources. |
| Description of Problem Situation (inventive problem) is text description of a problem situation with attachment of illustrative materials (photographs, diagrams, graphs, tables) stating the information to be analysed, which allows defining whether this problem situation contains an inventive problem and whether a contradiction of demands in this inventive problem can be formulated based on this information. Special templates are created for complete description of a problem situation. These templates include obligatory sections of such information, for example: description of the considered system, description of its components and main functions, parameters to be improved, actions already taken earlier for elimination of an undesirable effect, existing restrictions, effect expected from solution of the problem. Refer to: Problem Situation, Evaluation of Completeness of the Problem Situation (Inventive Problem). |
| Diagram (Model) of Technical Contradiction is a schematic view of interrelations between elements participating in a conflict (a technical contradiction) showing nature of these interrelations (useful, harmful, insufficient, unregulated, etc.). A diagram of technical contradiction usually may include one to three elements participating in formation of the contradiction. The diagram of technical contradiction may come to diagrams of typical conflicts. Refer to: Diagram of Typical Conflicts, Model of Problem. |
| Diagram of Typical Conflicts is a description and a schematic view of typical conflicts in systems. G. Altshuller distinguished 9 typical conflicts. The table of typical conflicts is attached to ARIZ-85-v and used in later ARIZ versions. Diagrams of typical conflicts can be used for transition to Su-field (El-field) models of problems and further to standards for inventive problem solving. |
| Dialectical Approach in TRIZ is one of approaches constituting the scientific foundations of TRIZ and associated with the analysis of opposites and contradictions as a fundamental source of systems evolution. Refer to: Dialectics, Dialectical Contradiction, Scientific Foundations of TRIZ. |
| Dialectical Contradiction. Dialectical contradiction in the philosophy of dialectical materialism is understood as presence of opposing incompatible parts, attributes, points, trends in an object, which at the same time assume each other and exist in this object only in interrelation and unity. Dialectical opposite is a contradiction part. Dialectical contradiction reflects a dual relation within the whole: unity and 'struggle' of opposites. Dialectical contradiction should be distinguished from logical contradiction. This is a statement of simultaneous presence of a situation and absence of this situation. Such contradiction in logic is identically false as distinct from dialectics. Some examples of dialectical contradictions and opposites: shadow is impossible without light, negative electrical charge is impossible without positive charge, northern end of a magnet is impossible without southern end, medicament can be poison, win of someone in a game is simultaneously loss for another. Contradiction in dialectics is a source of evolution. Similarly, resolution of a contradiction of demands (a technical contradiction) and a contradiction of attribute (a physical contradiction) in TRIZ is a tool of system evolution. Dialectical contradictions can be illustrated by both natural and social examples. The following specific contradictions act in an object from its occurrence to transformation to another object: attraction and repulsion in form of approaching and receding of masses, positive and negative electrical charges, chemical bonding and decomposition, assimilation and dissimilation in organisms, excitement and inhibition of nervous processes, social cooperation and confrontation. The following dialectical contradictions are distinguished: Internal contradictions represent interaction of opposing parts within a given object, for example, within a given animal species (intraspecific competition). The object evolution process is characterised both by deployment of internal contradictions and by its continuous interaction with the external conditions and environment. External contradictions represent interaction of opposites belonging to different objects, for example, between society and nature, between organism and environment, etc. Antagonistic contradictions are referred to interaction between irreconcilably opposed social groups and powers. The 'antagonism' term is widespread in biology and medicine: antagonism of poisons / medicaments / bacteria, antagonism of muscles, etc. Mathematicians consider antagonism as an opposition of interests (in the theory of games), where win of one party is loss for another, i.e. this is equality by value and opposition by sign. Antagonism 'as is' materialises rarely: as market competition, war, revolution, sports events, etc. |
| Dialectics (Greek - skill to dispute/argue) is one of the main methods of philosophical understanding the world based on analysis of any and all possible points of view concerning a studied object. Such comprehensive analysis of various points of view basically comes to a conflict of two opposing substantial positions, which are generally called as thesis and antithesis. The 'dialectics' term was originated in the antique culture and it meant 'have a conversation'. Socrates considered dialectics as a skill to establish the truth through confrontation and harmonisation of various opposing points of view. Dialectics is a creative doctrine unthinkable without continuous evolution and enrichment. A prerequisite of its productive evolution is unity with the historically developing social practice, evolution needs of the science and culture. According to F. Engels: Dialectics is merely a science dealing with the general laws of motion and nature evolution, human society and thinking. Objects and events of the world around us have a certain effect on each other and interdepend. Relations and dependencies existing between events are studied by various sciences. Dialectics laws: - Law of unity and struggle of opposites; - Law of transition of quantitative changes to qualitative changes and back; - Law of negation of negation - laws of changes and evolution. Refer to: Dialectical Contradiction, Dialectical Approach in TRIZ. |
| Disadvantage is any property or set of properties of a system, which prevents from fulfilling one or another demand to the system or from achieving a target stated for the system. A disadvantage is defined based on one or another value system. A disadvantage in one value system may turn out to be an advantage in another value system. Disadvantages are parts of original problem situations. A disadvantage may be non-critical (non-obligatory for elimination) or impermissible/problematic (obligatory for elimination). |
| Disadvantage of Flow is a disadvantage of a flow system as a whole or its separate constituents: source, channel, flow area, receiver. Typical disadvantages of flows: stagnation zones, bottlenecks, flow losses, high flow resistance, low or no flow controllability, insufficient throughput capacity, etc. Refer to: Flow. |
| Disruptive Invention is a high-level invention, which provides disruptive innovations and becomes a basis for revolutionary evolution of technical systems, formation of new technical directions , formation of new industries, and transition to new technological paradigms. Disruptive inventions in TRIZ are referred to inventions of level 4 or 5 as inventions forming a new principle of action of one or another system. |
| Double El-Field (Su-Field) is an El-field (Su-field) diagram, where two elements (substances) are interrelated by two different fields of interaction F1 and F2. |
| Duality 'Principle - Anti-Principle' is an approach, whereby pair principles for resolution of contradictions of demands comprising two inverse principles are more effective in resolution of contradictions than single principles. Refer to: Pair Principles, Anti-Principle. |
| Dynamisation is a mechanism of changing a system and its elements based on changing its various properties in time. Changes may concern the system as a whole, its relations with the external environment, separate elements, and interrelations of the system elements. System dynamisation is a tool of adaptation to various and changing system demands. Dynamics principle (one of 40 main principles for elimination of technical contradictions) assumes: a) change of the object or external environment properties so that they are optimum in each work phase and b) separation of the object to parts able to move relative to each other. Change of properties in time may assume both transition from rigid to flexible and, vice versa, transition from flexible to rigid, if this fulfils the adaptation demands. Refer to: Line of Fragmentation and Dynamisation. |
| Economical Field of Interaction is a field of interaction, which provides interaction and interrelation of economical properties of two and more elements. |
| Effect (natural-scientific effect) is a system (object) reaction to some action or a consequence of any action on the system. It is a synonym of the 'event' ('phenomenon') term meaning some regularity detected in the nature and associated with the system (object) attributes. Effects in TRIZ are used for resolution of contradictions of demands to the system and contradictions of attributes of its elements. There are known physical, chemical, biological, geometrical, social-psychological, technical, and other effect types. Structure of an effect description includes a description of the system (object) possessing the considered effect, changed parameters of the object at input, resulting changes of the parameters at output, conditions or restrictions for the objects and/or external environment affecting the effect development. An effect depends on attributes of the involved objects and it can be used for performance of necessary functions and resolution of contradictions in the system. Refer to: Catalogue of Effects, Attribute (Feature). |
| E-Field is a Su-field with an electrostatic field of interaction. |
| Element (Latin elementum - primal matter, force of nature) is a constituent of something. It is usually understood that an element is an indivisible part of a system in this consideration, but subelements of the element (which compose the element) can be also considered if necessary. The element can be material (a substance or a physical body) or non-material. The element is characterised by a set of parameters and their interrelations. The element is usually characterised by a certain point (or a bounded area) in a space (physical or abstract), where the element is located or can be located. The element can be a physical body with spatially-distributed parameters (for example: rail, electrical wire, cable, motor road, etc.), which is characterised by many points in a space, rather than by one point. Elements with spatially-distributed parameters have attributes of a field. Refer to: Component, Refer to: Material Object. |
| Element of External Environment is an element from resources of the external environment, which can be used for formation or evolution of an El-field (a Su-field). The element can be taken in the existing or modified form and its subelements can be used. Refer to: Substance-Field Resources (SFR). |
| Element of Su-Field is one of substances, which interacts in a Su-field with another substance through a field of interaction. Refer to: Su-Field. |
| Element-Field Analysis. This is generalisation of Su-field and function analyses for material and non-material systems, where El-fields and El-field transformations are used instead of Su-fields and Su-field transformations. |
| El-Field or Su-Field Completion is El-field (Su-field) transformation with transition from an incomplete El-field (Su-field) to a complete El-field through addition of a missing element or a field of interaction between elements. |
| El-Field (Internal, External) is a model of a minimum complete system comprising two elements and a field of interaction between them or two fields and elements transforming one field to another. A particular case of an El-field, where elements are substances, is a Su-field. An El-field can be considered as an extended function model, which shows both a functional relation and a field used to perform this function. Internal El-field is an El-field with two elements and a field between them, which can be considered as an element model of a higher hierarchical level. External El-field is an El-field with two fields and an element, which transforms one field to another. More complicated El-field structures can be built from El-fields: chain El-field (two El-fields with one common element and two fields), double El-field (two El-fields with two common elements and two fields), cyclic El-field (a row of related chain El-fields, where the function object of the last El-field in the row is at the same time the function carrier of the first El-field in the row), El-field of braking, etc. An El-field is different from an El-field formula in that the El-field formula gives a problem model or a system description as a complex of El-fields. The El-field formula can have less or more components than an elementary El-field (for example: one element, incomplete El-field, complicated El-field, etc.). Incomplete El-field is an El-field with missing at least one of its components (one of elements or field of interaction is absent) or available only one element (second element and field of interaction are absent). The missing element can be designated in the El-field description as an X-element. Differences of El-fields from Su-fields: a) an El-field includes both a function model and an interaction model; b) both technical/material and non-technical/non-material (informational) functions / interaction fields can be considered in El-fields; c) fields and elements in an El-field can have their internal structure (subsystems of other El-fields composing parts of El-field components), while they are not considered in Su-fields; d) El-fields cannot have a functional relation between two elements without an accompanying field interaction for both these elements. El-fields can have a more complicated structure in comparison with Su-fields: cyclic El-fields, El-fields of braking, El-fields of exchange, etc. |
| El-Field (Su-Field) Decomposition is El-field transformation of a system 'AS IS' to a system 'AS TO BE' through insertion of new elements and/or fields of interaction to the El-field structure for elimination of harmful effects subject to restrictions and other demands to the system. Insertion of new elements and fields of interaction is possible thanks to use of resource elements and fields. Methods for synthesis and transformation of El-field systems are described in the standards for inventive problem solving in the 'Synthesis and decomposition of Su-field/El-field systems' section. |
| El-Field Formula or Diagram is symbolic representation of a system or problem model in El-field form, which is used to describe El-field transformations, standards for inventive problem solving, diagrams of typical conflicts, physical and other phenomena and effects. |
| El-Field of Dynamic Braking and Decomposition is a controlled El-field, which transits by its condition from performance of a function to decrease of its performance level or complete non-performance of this function. Transition from a useful El-field to an El-field with dynamic braking or decomposition can be implemented through insertion of a complementary element (in a complex El-field) or field (in a double El-field), transition to a cyclic El-field, replacement of a field in the El-field with a controlled external sub-El-field (transition to micro-level). For example: transition in a system comprising an electromagnetic heater and a heated element to application of a substance with the necessary Curie point, which switches heating off at a desired temperature and switches it on again after cooling for stabilisation of the heating temperature. |
| El-Fields of Exchange represent an El-field structure comprising at least two El-fields, which have a common element or a common field and cannot function without each other. For example, El-fields of exchange are used during modelling of exchange processes in biochemistry, business (sale and purchase), and politics. From the system capture viewpoint, El-fields of exchange are typical for capture with exchange (market capture type). |
| El-Field Subsystem is a model of an element or a field of interaction in an El-field, which is shown as another El-field with elements and fields of a lower hierarchical level. At that, the element is modelled as an internal El-field and a field is modelled as an external El-field. The El-field subsystem components represent a subset of the element or field of interaction of the main El-field. |
| El-Field Transformation is a transformation diagram of an El-field model (formula) of a system 'AS IS' including a problem in this system to an El-field model of a system 'AS TO BE' including a solution of the problem implemented according to the El-field transformation rules. These transformations can be associated either with the problem solution (for example, elimination of a harmful relation through insertion of a new substance or field) or with the rules of the lines of systems evolution (for example, transition to chain El-fields, transition from a Su-field to a Fe-field or an E-field, etc.). The chain of transformations can include one, two, or more transformations. At that, the number of substances and fields can be both increased and decreased. El-field transformations represent a part of the standards for inventive problem solving. |
| El-Fields of Braking are El-fields with implemented decrease of intensity, slowdown, or complete stop of one or another function. A particular case of an El-field of braking is an El-field of storage, where parameters of element El1 in the El-field are the same (i.e. remain unchanged) as for element El2 (in other words, El1=El2 in the El-field of storage). |
| Emptiness in TRIZ is a free space inside one or another object (substance), where another object (substance) can be placed. Emptiness in TRIZ is not certainly absolute physical vacuum. If a substance is solid, emptiness in it can be filled with a liquid or a gas. If a substance is liquid, emptiness can be a gas bubble. For substance structures of a defined level, emptiness represents structures of low levels, for example, emptiness for a crystalline lattice is made of separate molecules and separate atoms. The 'emptiness' concept is used in TRIZ in various forms and in various tools. For example, there are known principles: 41 - pausing, 43 - foaming, 48 - 'vacuum bag'. The 'missing element' concept is used during modelling of conflicts and contradictions. During intensification of 'should be less elements' conflicts, it results in 'zero elements' ('empty element'). Refer to: System Vacuum, Line of Emptiness Evolution. |
| Endgame in ZhSTL is a phase, which describes interaction steps of a creative personality with external circumstances in the period of Worthy Goal 3 formation. The main steps of the creative personality are transition to Worthy Goal 3 and its first results, formation and development of a socially significant movement according to the stated goals. Actions of external circumstances: accidental companions with sordid motives, capture of a scientific archive, team's refusal of new goals. |
| Energy Source can be considered in TRIZ: a) as a system element in a flow area model, b) as a machine model (energy source - engine - transmission - working unit - control unit). |
| Engine (in TRIZ) is a part of a machine model (energy source - engine - transmission - working unit - control unit) transforming energy to mechanical movement. Refer to: Complete Technical System. |
| Estimation of Inventive Level of Thinking is a method for estimation of the inventive thinking level based on the inventiveness scale. It is based on comparison of the estimated evolution level of the person's inventive thinking component with the reference inventive thinking corresponding to the maximum score on the inventiveness scale. The method essence consists in comparison of the person's real thinking process with the ideal one described in ARIZ and other TRIZ-tools. |
| Evaluation of Completeness of the Problem Situation (Inventive Problem) is a numerical estimate of information completeness in description of components of a problem situation as percentage of the maximum possible score. The integral score is calculated based on scores of separate constituents (components) in description of the problem situation. Each of components in description of the problem situation can be estimated, for example, by a five-grade scale: 1. None. 2. Unclear whether present or none. 3. Many, but not clearly formulated. 4. Many, but unclear which to be selected. 5. Present. The problem situation evaluation structure allows formation of a road map of TRIZ-tools application in order to transit from the original problem situation to its more complete description, then distinguish contradictions of demands from it, and use their resolution as a basis to formulate concepts for overcoming of the problem situation. Refer to: Components of Problem Situation, Road Map of TRIZ-Project. |
| Evolution (Latin evolutio - deployment) is a process of historical (phylogenetic) evolution of systems. |
| Evolution of Su-Field Systems is a hypothesis, which states that elementary superfields have a trend to evolutionise over time in order to increase their production capacity, quality, and other parameters. The group of problem solution methods based on evolution of field systems is included to the system of 76 inventive standards. |
| Evolutionary Approach in Science is a set of theoretical and methodological provisions of the evolution theory used as a conceptual model for scientific researches, interpretation, estimation, and systematisation of scientific data, for understanding of hypotheses and solution of problems occurring in the scientific perception process. At present, evolutionary concepts in various areas of expertise become an essential part of scientific thinking. Historicism and evolutionism elements get a fundamental value and find ever greater recognition in the world scientific ideas. |
| Evolutionary Approach in TRIZ is application of a set of theoretical and methodological provisions of the evolution theory used as a conceptual model for solution of inventive problems, evolution of systems as a whole, and formation of inventive thinking. In essence, the evolutionary approach consists in consideration of systems with regard to their past and future, understanding of existing objective laws and regularities of historical changes in systems, consideration of times as an essential parameter of systems. The evolutionary approach in TRIZ is reflected in laws and lines of systems evolution, during application of a system operator, in historical and genetic analyses of systems. TRIZ aspires to systematic evolution of systems. TRIZ introduces the general system evolutionary concepts: 'system ontogenesis' and 'system phylogenesis', which extend the biological concepts of evolution to all systems. Refer to: Scientific Foundations of TRIZ, System Ontogenesis, System Phylogenesis. |
| Evolutionary Systemology (evolutionology) is a section in TRIZ addressed to studying of objective laws of systems evolution as such in isolation from their certain implementation. Such specific generalised subject of this theory also requires development of specific and very generalised scientific methods. At present, there is a formulated system of main laws of systems evolution. Other methods are actively developed as well, which in many respects generalise the experience of TRIZ in studying of technical systems. The main objects under study of evolutionary systemology are mechanisms of systems evolution in the phylogenesis and ontogenesis process, rather than the systems themselves. I.e. this is about those changes, which result in stable and positive evolutionary transformations for this system, rather than any change in the system. The objects under study in evolutionary systemology are mechanisms of evolutionary development of any systems: material and non-material, living and non-living. General laws, regularities, evolution lines, problem statement methods, standards and principles of resolving contradictions can be used in various areas of human activities: in development of technical, medical, scientific, business, social-cultural, and other systems. The key area of evolutionology is the system capture theory explaining the causes of systems evolution and their amazing similarity between each other. Refer to: System Capture. |
| Evolutionology is a brief name of evolutionary systemology. |
| Excessive Function is a useful function, where actual useful properties of components and actions exceed the required level of their performance. Presence of an excessive function in a system basically results in increased resource spending. Excessiveness may concern strength, production capacity, power, accuracy, size, amount of information, etc. |
| Excessive Interaction is interaction in a function-structure model of a system between its elements, where some relations are unnecessary/unused or can be removed not reducing the system functioning quality. |
| Deployment of Systems is a method for evolutionary development of systems by increase of ideality through increasing the number of elements in a system and number or performance quality of functions in the system. The method is a part of the law of transition to supersystem in the 'mono-bi-poly-trimming' line of systems evolution. Transition to bi- and poly-systems is an example of the evolutionary deployment process in systems. |
| External Circumstances is a ZhSTL term meaning the entirety of the social-cultural environment of a creative personality throughout his/her life: from birth and education to professional activity and commemoration after death. External circumstances of a creative personality may include his/her family, education system, relatives, friends and acquaintances, work place and colleagues, country, etc. |
| External Complex Su-Field is a complex Su-field, where the third substance Su3 is externally (from outside) associated to the substances Su1 or Su2 of the Su-field. |
| External Information Funds for development of tools and methods in TRIZ are systematised information funds and data bases from various areas of expertise anyway comprising information on a problem (a set of problems) solved in association with necessary systems evolution and on solution of this problem or this set of problems. For example: patent funds, reviews and descriptions of evolution history of any systems, encyclopaedias and dictionaries in articles with description of new found solutions and new application types of any systems, biographies of creative personalities (for the theory of creative individual development). |
| Fantasising Methods are methods focused on increase of a person's controlled fantasising qualities and for creation of fantastic situations/objects. Refer to: Fantasising, Fantasising Techniques, 4-Level Fantasising Scheme, Methods for Eliminating Psychological Inertia. |
| Fantasising Techniques are methods for changing of an object in order to obtain a fantastic result. These methods can be both independent principles of changing various object properties and complex methods - fantogramma or 4-level fantasising scheme. Commonly used principles: increase - decrease, merge - fragment, reverse, accelerate - decelerate, make dynamic - make static, move in time, move in space, insert - remove, resuscitate, separate a function from an object, change a constant, make specialised - make universal. |
| Fantastic Adding Method is a fantasising method based on the imagination binomial. For fantastic adding, randomly select some words and compose possible uncommon word combinations using prepositions: in, above, under, from, before, after, etc. For example: computer in pencil, house from orange, flowering armchair, cat's computer. Refer to: Imagination Binomial. |
| Fantastic Subtraction Method is a fantasising method, which is inverse relative to the fantastic adding method. For fantastic subtraction, mentally remove any element, object, or possibility of any action/attribute in the considered situation or object. For example, imagine that there are no lies, radio waves, or clocks in our world. What will change in such world? Refer to: Imagination Binomial, Fantastic Adding Method. |
| Imagination Binomial is a fantasising technique based on establishment of new associative relations between two random objects (words). For fantastic adding, randomly select some words and compose possible uncommon word combinations using prepositions: in, above, under, from, before, after, etc. For example: computer in pencil, house from orange, flowering armchair, cat's computer. And vice versa, fantastic subtraction can be used: remove any object or possibility of any action/attribute in a situation or in an object. For example, imagine that there are no lies, radio waves, or clocks in our world. Imagination binomial can serve as a basis for creation of fabulous or fantastic plots, statement of new problems, and thinking of uncommon ideas. Imagination binomial can be applied together with other fantasising techniques. Imagination binomial (fantastic adding) was offered by Gianni Rodari for creation of fabulous plots and fantastic stories, for development of children's imagination. |
| Fantogramma is a method offered by G. Altshuller for development of fantasy, generation of new ideas, and non-standard solution of inventive problems. The method is based on a table, where the vertical axis represents universal properties of the considered system and the horizontal axis represents some principles (fantasising techniques) for changing these properties. |
| Functional-Cost Analysis (FCA) is a method for technical-economical study of systems focused on optimisation of a ratio between their parameters of value (quality of functions) and expenses for achievement of these parameters. The Russian version of this method was developed by a designer of the Perm Telephone Plant Y. Sobolev in 1948. As an independent method, FCA was put into broad practice by L. Miles (USA) in 1947. It is referred to heuristic methods. FCA can be divided to FCA method and FCA system. The method essence is element-by-element analysis of a structure. Y. Sobolev offered to consider each structural element separately dividing elements by their functioning principle to main and auxiliary. Analysis showed where excessive expenses were 'hidden'. Sobolev applied his method for a microtelephone mounting attachment and managed to reduce the list of applied parts by 70%. FCA system is a set of organisational measures, methodological and technical means providing conduction of FCA (selection of a FCA object, order on FCA conduction, creation of a work group, etc.). FCA phases: preparatory, informational, analytical, creative, research, issuing recommendations, and implementation. FCA problem is achievement of the highest parameters of value for the product with simultaneous reduction of all types of production expenses. |
| Feature Transfer. Refer to: Alternative Systems. Merging Alternative Systems. |
| Feature Transfer is an analytical tool for improvement of a system through transfer of required features to it from an alternative or other system. The feature transfer mechanisms are demanded during merging of alternative systems, as well as during trimming of system elements and their functions. Refer to: Attribute (Feature). |
| Fe-field is a Su-field, where at least one of components (substance 1) is made of a ferromagnetic material and the field of interaction is electromagnetic field. |
| Field of Interaction is an environment providing impact of one element with a certain set of parameters (properties) on another element causing changes or, vice versa, stabilisation of the same or other its parameters. The field of Interaction is also characterised by own set of attributes and parameters distributed in space. As distinct from elements, which are characterised by a point (or a bounded area) in space, fields are characterised by many points (right up to an unlimited set of points) in space and they have no fixed boundaries. |
| Flexibility of Thinking is a component of the inventive thinking synthesis group allowing thinking operations focused on generation of many various ideas independent of thinking inertia. |
| Flow is directed spatial movement of mass particles of a substance, as well as directed movement of energy or information. A flow has dual attributes: attributes of a substance, which composes the flow, and attributes of a field, which is formed as a result of directed movement of the substance particles. A flow can be useful, auxiliary, harmful, neutral, unregulated, parasitic. A flow model is made of flow area models and represented as a graph or a table, which reflects some numerical parameters of the flow as a whole and flow areas separately. A complete model of a flow area contains static components, such as source capacity or generator, channel, receiver capacity or another object, control system, which perform necessary functions for arrangement of dynamically changing flow components. Dynamically changing components of the flow model: elements of the flow source, flow of elements, elements in the flow receiver. A minimum flow model is the flow of moving elements (substance, information, energy) itself and parameters describing it. The minimum flow model can be considered as an independent object (a flow object), i.e. it can be a part of one or another function. The flow object is a set of elements in directed movement state. A flow is a particular case of a process, where a changed parameter of objects is their location in the physical or information space. A flow model may contain elements of processes, for example, stockpiling, mixing, measurement, separation, etc. A flow control model should contain information on reference properties of flows, their current state and control signals generation rules. Refer to: Flow Analysis, Material Object. |
| Flow Analysis. Refer to: Flow Analysis. |
| Flow Analysis is a method for analysis of systems focused on detection, statement, and specification of problems through building of a flow model in a system 'AS IS' and for a system 'AS TO BE', as well as designed for establishment of the system interrelations, search for resources, and identification of conformity with the current system demands. The flow analysis is performed on a basis of flow models in form of graphs or tables with detection of deharmonisation between properties of flow areas and flow as a whole, bottlenecks, stagnation zones, harmful or unregulated flows. The flow analysis can be performed jointly with process, function, and cause-effect chains analyses. The following principles of flows changing are applied for evolution of systems with flows and solution of their inventive problems: multiple use of flows, harmonisation of flows and processes in time and space, addition of complementary functions to flows, elimination of bottlenecks and stagnation zones, increase of channels conductivity, decrease of transformations number, reduction of flow losses, etc. Refer to: Flow. |
| Focal Objects Method is a method focused on creation of objects with new attributes. The main idea of the method is inhibition of psychological inertia associated with a studied object in order to establish its associative relations with various random objects. The method recommends transferring attributes of some other objects to the improved object, which is as if in the transfer focus in this case. Unusual combinations, which occur after transfer, can be developed using free associations, and then useful solutions can be selected. |
| Function is changing, stabilisation, or measurement of some parameters of a function (product) object through an action on it by a function (tool) carrier. A function model consists of the function carrier, function object, and action for changing (stabilisation, measurement) of one or another parameter of the function object. 'Action' is changing-stabilisation, increase-decrease, or measurement of one or another parameter of the function object. The function model can be an El-field or a Su-field. The function analysis distinguishes useful, harmful, insufficient, excessive, missing, and other function types. Function is one of the most important concepts of the current TRIZ. The function model represents a triad: function subject (carrier), action, function object. The function concept in TRIZ is very closely associated with the 'parameter' and 'El-field' concepts. Refer to: Model of Function. |
| Function Analysis is a method for analysis of systems designed for finding of new system relations, estimation of a function model for conformity to demands, detection of problems, and search for resources through building and analysis of the system function model. Function analysis is based on results of a component-structural analysis of the system. The scientific foundation of function analysis is functional approach. Function analysis of systems (TRIZ-FA) and function analysis of problem situations can be distinguished. |
| Function Analysis of Problem Situation is a method for specification of conditions of a problem situation and distinguishing of problems/contradictions in the problem situation through building of a function model for all components of the problem situation. Problem models are formulated based on problem functions detected in the function model of the problem situation and diagrams of typical conflicts: - Problems for trimming according to trimming rules; - Problem models based on standards for inventive problem solving; - Contradictions of demands. |
| Function Analysis Procedure is a component of the inventive thinking analysis group allowing thinking operations focused on establishment and estimation of functional relations. |
| Function Carrier is a component in a functional-and-targeted system model providing an action focused on changing of a function object parameter. At that, the model can be various, for example, a function model (function carrier - action - function object) or an El-field (Su-field). The function carrier in a conflict model (tool - product) can be a tool. |
| Function Category is a function property, which describes its degree of usefulness. Functions can be useful, harmful, or neutral. Useful functions can be insufficient, excessive, uncontrolled, obligatory (unchangeable). |
| Function Model of System is a diagram of functional relations between components of a system based on function models with estimation of some function types. A function model is built from a component-structural model of the system. The function model of the system can be built from its elements (substances) or processes. |
| Function Modelling is a term of TRIZ-FA (function analysis of systems), which means a building process of a system function model. Function modelling is performed based on component-structural modelling, i.e. distinguishing of elements (objects) in the system and relations between them. Each relation between elements in the system is described during function modelling by its function model, usefulness (harmful or useful), and performance level (for example, insufficient, sufficient, excessive, unregulated). |
| Function Rank is a term of TRIZ-FA (function analysis of systems) defining the place of a function in the hierarchy of functions providing performance of the primary function. Function ranks are used in TRIZ-FA to define the statement order of problems for trimming during function-ideal modelling. As distinct from FCA (functional-cost analysis), where the statement and solution order of problems is defined by different ratios between function values and expenses for their implementation, the order in TRIZ-FA is defined by function ranks. Such approach is not always objective and effective in practice. |
| Functional Approach (theory of functional systems) is a particular case of the system approach, where mainly functional interactions are considered of all interactions of an object. The main feature of the functional approach in various sciences is focus on external developments. The essence of a process or an event is not taken into consideration. The system structure is considered as a 'black box' (P. Anokhin, 1937). |
| Functional-and-Targeted System is a system formed for performance of a set of useful functions and achievement of targets according to demands of supersystems and a principle of action of this system. A functional-and-targeted system is based on self-organisation, natural/artificial selection, or as a result of targeted actions by one of supersystems. Functional-and-targeted systems include biological systems, technical systems, social, economical, scientific, and other similar systems. |
| Functional-and-Targeted Requirements (Demands) are demands to a system focused on achievement of a stated target through implementation of a set of functions, processes, flows, interrelations in the system and their feedback-based correction. |
| Function-Ideal Modelling is an analytical tool of TRIZ-FA (function analysis) for statement of problems through removal (liquidation) of some components from a system function model and redistribution of their useful functions among remaining components of the system or supersystem. The tool, which implements function-ideal modelling, is called 'Trimming'. Trimming is one of tools for increase of ideality degree of systems: expenses and harmful functions are decreased, while functionality is kept or increased. Trimming rules: Rule A: An element can be trimmed, if there is no function object. Rule B: An element can be trimmed, if a function object itself performs this function. Rule C: An element can be trimmed, if a function is performed by remaining elements of a technical system or a supersystem. |
| Function-Oriented Search and its editions is an alternative approach to solution of problems. A problem is not solved from scratch. Instead of this, already known solutions based on formulation of a generalised function are found and its implementation is searched in the relevant technical discipline. The found functional analogues are adapted to the solved problem statement. Function-oriented search is both faster and more effective in finding a solution: availability of a functioning analogue allows applying already effective technologies and consulting experts having experience in application and development of these technologies. Function-oriented search is also called 'function-oriented information search'. Function-oriented information search is a method for retrieval of information in various repositories, where a search area is selected based on similarity of functions in the improved system and in other systems (including their components) referred to this area. This is the main difference of this information retrieval method from object-oriented methods. The goal of function-oriented information search is to find the most effective solutions, which can be used for elimination of key disadvantages. In addition, this method is used to search for systems competing with the improved system (or its components). The retrieved data are used in the next analysis phase: during detection and merging of alternative systems. Refer to: Generalised Function. |
| Generalised Function is a function model, where the function carrier, action, and object are formulated in generalised form. For example, the function, where 'an iron hammer cracks a walnut', can be described in generalised form as 'a heavy thing decreases integrity of a hard object'. The generalisation degree can be higher, if this is necessary, for example, without specification of the function carrier: 'something is used to decrease integrity of a hard object'. A generalised function can be used in a function-oriented search. |
| Geometrical Effect is an effect (a natural-scientific effect), which is based on geometrical attributes of various objects, for example: Moebius band, Archimedian screw, etc. |
| Goldfish Method is a method of controlled fantasising, which allows bringing a fantastic situation closer to the reality. For example, if there is an initial fantastic situation (FS1), then we can distinguish a real constituent (R1) of this situation. This fantastic situation turns into a less fantastic situation (FS2): FS1 - R1 = FS2 I.e. we get a fantastic remainder: fantastic situation 2 (FS2). Then, we can find another real constituent (R2) in it. FS2 - R2 = FS3 So, we get fantastic situation 3 (FS3). And so on, until we find out what is conceptually unreal in it: FS1 = R1 + FS2 FS2 = R2 + FS3 FS3 = R3 + FS44 ... FSn-1 = Rn-1 + FSn. Sometimes, it is useful to consider the goal of work as a fantastic situation. Algorithm of applying the goldfish method for inventive problem solving: 1. An inventive situation is assumed fantastic. 2. All real constituents are sequentially removed from this fantastic situation and only the last root constituent being actually fantastic (Fn) is left. 3. This root fantastic situation is considered as a key inventive problem, and then a contradiction of demands and IFR are formulated for it. 4. The detected contradiction is resolved with TRIZ-methods and the found solution turns the initial fantastic situation into a real one. |
| Harm is a negative impact/influence, which makes a system (function, flow, process) worse than necessary. Harmful function, harmful flow, and harmful process are respectively those resulting in infliction of harm. A harmful system model can be described by a harmful El-field. Harm is generally associated with non-fulfilment of one or another system demand. |
| Harmful Action is an action in a harmful function. Refer to: Harmful Function. |
| Refer to: Disadvantage. |
| Harmful Function of a system is a function, which prevents from fulfilling one or another system demand (Demand 1). At the same time, the harmful function can be useful as well, if there is another system demand (Demand 2), which is fulfilled using the considered function. Refer to: Harm. |
| Harmful Interaction is interaction between elements or fields in a harmful El-field (Su-field). Refer to: Harmful El-Field. |
| Harmful Machine (harmful system, harmful technical system) is a machine (a system), which provides creation and maintenance of a harm (an undesirable effect). A harmful machine features that it is not created specially by anybody, but it anyway functions using resources of a machine (a system) already created for other targets. The harmful machine is essentially a self-organising system, but its representation as a functional-and-targeted system allows application of the whole TRIZ tool kit for elimination of this harmful machine activity, rather than for its evolution. For example: deprive the harmful machine of an energy source and an engine, 'corrupt' its transmission, deharmonise work rhythm of its separate parts, etc. The author of the 'harmful system' term is Vasily Lenyashin. Refer to: Disadvantage. |
| Harmful El-Field (Su-Field) is an El-field (a Su-field) or an El-field formula, where at least one system demand is not fulfilled. A particular case of the harmful El-field is a harmful function. Harm in a system may occur due to harmful relations between elements and fields. Refer to: Harm. |
| History of TRIZ. The founders of TRIZ were G. Altshuller and R. Shapiro (Baku). The invention method was developed since 1946 with its first publication in the 'Psychology Issues' magazine in 1956. The 'ARIZ' term was first used in 1965. From 1976, G. Altshuller introduced the 'TRIZ' term. Since 1980s, TRIZ was widespread both in the USSR and abroad: Poland, Hungary, West Germany, Czechoslovakia, USA, Japan, South Korea, China, and many other countries. Public associations of TRIZ-specialists were founded all over the world. The TRIZ Association (ATRIZ) was found in the USSR in 1989 and then transformed to the International TRIZ Association (MATRIZ) in 1997. Refer to: TRIZ-Community (TRIZ-Social Movement), TRIZ-Schools. |
| Hybridisation is a formation process of a new system with additional useful properties based on merging of several subsystems with different principles of action actually performing the same function. Vehicles represent a generally accepted example of hybridisation in state-of-the-art technical means. In addition to an internal combustion engine (ICE), their power unit also includes an electrical motor (one or several) and a rechargeable battery. At that, the vehicle movement can be provided both by ICE and by the electrical drive (if ICE is out-of-service). Such power unit should be distinguished from a system including ICE with an electrical generator and an electrical drive to wheels, where the vehicle movement requires obligatory combined operation of both ICE and electrical drive. Here, we have just a power unit with an electrical transmission, rather than a hybrid power unit. Each element of the hybrid unit is actually designed for preferred operation under special conditions, i.e. it is a specialised item to some extent (B. Goldovskiy, 2016). |
| Idea (in TRIZ) is a mental, preliminary, unspecified, and unchecked image of one or another change in a system 'AS IS' for achievement of a stated target and solution of a stated problem. An idea may generally concern: development of a program for goal achievement, specification of an original problem situation and distinguishing of problems, building of a mental image of a problem model and its solution model, assumption on possible application of one or another method for solution of the stated problem. The idea basically precedes formation of a problem solution concept. |
| Ideal Final Result (IFR) is one of key TRIZ-tools forming an ideal image for resolution of a contradiction of demands and an image of a future system 'AS TO BE', where one of elements (unknown X-element) should ITSELF eliminate disadvantages or ITSELF perform a necessary function not breaking available restrictions. A distinctive feature of IFR in TRIZ is its 'free-of-charge basis', when the result is achieved without unnecessary energy, material, and time spending. IFR is formulated using several templates: Functional IFR: System element (describe) should ITSELF (describe an action) in order to (describe) subject to restrictions (describe). Resource IFR: X-element (from the system resources) should ITSELF (specify a required action) within an operational time (specify) and within an operational zone (specify) absolutely not complicating the system, not causing harmful events, and keeping (specify a useful action or restrictions). Attribute IFR: An operational zone (specify) within an operational time (specify) should ITSELF provide (specify inverse attributes). IFR is a tool for implementation of the law of increasing the degree of system ideality and approaching to an ideal machine: the machine is absent, but its function is performed. |
| Ideal Function is a function, action of which is performed without a function carrier and without resource spending. |
| Ideal Machine is a machine, which is absent, but its functions are performed or a function is performed instantaneously with absolutely no time spending. The ideal machine is a particular case of an ideal technical system, where the working machine is a technical system. |
| Ideal Modelling Procedure is a component of the inventive thinking analysis group allowing thinking operations focused on building of an ideal model of a system. |
| Ideal Resource is an X-element or an X-field from the system resources available for performance of a necessary function, improvement of its performance quality, or elimination of a harmful function subject to available restrictions. Intrasystem resources of a conflicting pair in a conflict zone are used first of all. Then, external system resources typical for this system or generally available elements and fields are recommended to use. After that, supersystem resources can be used, such as waste products or free/cheap resources of extrinsic systems. Examples of typical resources: emptiness, air, water, substance of an available and free flow, gravity, magnetic field of the Earth, temperature drops, pauses in time, etc. Refer to: Ideal Substance. |
| Refer to: Ideal Final Result (IFR). |
| Ideal Substance is a substance, which is absent, but its attribute is available and can be used for performance of necessary functions and solution of an inventive problem. Ideal substance is often referred to emptiness, air, water, substance of an available and free flow, any resource substance. |
| Ideal System is a system, which is absent, but its function is performed. The system of laws of technical systems evolution includes the law of increasing the degree of system ideality as defining the main potential and direction of a system evolution. Various formulations of the ideal final result (IFR) are used for contradiction resolving and movement towards effective evolution of systems. |
| Ideal Technical System is a technical system, which is absent, but its function is performed. Ideal system in chronokinematics is a system, where a function or a process is implemented within a zero period of time, i.e. instantaneously. |
| Ideality is a key TRIZ-term meaning a maximally useful system state in its evolution, where all system demands are fulfilled without absolutely any expenses. Refer to: Law of Increasing the Degree of System Ideality, Ideal Final Result (IFR), Degree of Ideality. |
| Ideality Equation is a conditional qualitative formula for estimation of a system ideality degree, which is calculated as a ratio with a sum of all useful functions of the system (technical, marketing, financial, etc.) in the numerator and a sum of all expenses with all harmful functions in the denominator. Ideally, this ratio should go to infinity upon increase of useful functions and decrease of expenses with harmful functions to zero. The equation allows selecting strategies focused on increase of ideality degree: a) increase of useful functions with stabilisation of expenses and harmful functions; b) stabilisation of useful functions with decrease of expenses and harmful functions; c) advance increase of useful functions in comparison with increase of expenses and harmful functions of the system. |
| Imagination is representation of images and ideas based on real events. TRIZ uses the methods of controlled imagination, which allow changing a mental image, for example, for transition from a system 'AS IS' to a system 'AS TO BE' (desirable). Imagination is a conscious ability to create images, views, ideas and manipulate them. It plays a key role in the following mental processes: modelling, planning, creativity, games, human memory. In a general sense, any process taking place 'in images' is imagination. Imagination is a basis of visual-image thinking allowing a person to find way around and solve problems without immediate intervention of practical actions. It largely helps the person in those life events, when practical actions are impossible, complicated, or simply unreasonable. For example, during modelling of abstract processes and objects. Fantasy is a kind of creative imagination. Imagination is a form of mental world imaging. The most conventional point of view is definition of imagination as a process (R. Nemov, 1999). |
| Fantasising (imagination) is a person's imagined situation or wish (dream), which is not real at present. TRIZ uses the methods of controlled fantasising, which allow changing a fantastic situation, making it brighter for perception, bringing it closer or, vice versa, farther to/from the reality. |
| Improving Parameter is a term applied in the Altshuller table to search for recommended principles of resolving contradictions, which means a typical property of a problem situation or a contradiction, which should be improved (changed) according to the problem statement. The Altshuller table gives 39 typical parameters, which are located in the left column of the table. Refer to: Altshuller Matrix/Table (Contradiction Matrix) and its modifications, Worsening Parameter. |
| Incomplete El-Field (Su-Field) is a minimum El-field (Su-field) with missing one of two components of the complete El-field. An incomplete El-field may be with missing one of two elements or no field of interaction between elements. An incomplete Su-field is called 'proto-Su-field'. An incomplete El-field does not meet the requirements to completeness of functional-and-targeted systems and it is not able to provide performance of required functions of a system. |
| Incomplete Su-Field is a Su-field with missing one substance or no field of interaction. |
| Information Funds in TRIZ represent a group of TRIZ-tools and data bases primarily designed for solution of inventive problems and formation of a model of system 'AS TO BE' and a system 'AS TO BE'. The information funds of TRIZ include: principles and methods of resolving contradictions, pair principles of resolving contradictions, fantasising techniques, systems of standards for inventive problem solving, lines of systems evolution, catalogues of effects, summaries of case studies for inventions, list of analogous problems, typical fields and substances. In 1970s-1980s, the information funds of TRIZ also included various summaries of case studies. The information funds in TRIZ are parts of various ARIZ modifications and they serve as a basis for research activities in TRIZ. |
| Innovation is an economically feasible novelty, already implemented or under implementation, which provides higher efficiency of processes and/or better quality of products demanded by the market. At the same time, the innovation for its implementation should meet the current social-economical and cultural demands. |
| Innovative Problem in TRIZ is an inventive problem, solution of which allows creating innovations. Solution of innovative problems is basically accompanied with necessary performance of both inventive and scientific-research works. Refer to: Inventive Problem, Innovation. |
| Innovative TRIZ-Project is a set of systematic interrelated works performed using TRIZ-tools, which includes search for and specification of an economically significant business problem, performance of scientific-research, verification, design, and other works necessary to obtain and implement a new cost-effective solution in production. An innovative TRIZ-project may feature an investment component and a substantial economical effect significant in comparison with small modifications. |
| Insufficient Function is a function, action of which insufficiently changes a necessary parameter of its object by one or another criterion, for example: value/speed of parameter changes, reliability, stability, recurrence of changes, etc. An insufficient function serves as a basis for formulation of an inventive problem and a contradiction of demands. |
| Intensified Contradiction is sharpening of a contradiction of demands (a technical contradiction) in order to exclude a compromise between fulfilment of two conflicting demands in search for a solution. The solution should result in fulfilment of both demands. For example, if a contradiction of demands is formulated with conditions, such as 'less elements', then the formulation should transit to 'no elements' or 'missing element' conditions. 'Intensify conflict through indication of limit state (action) of elements' is one of steps in ARIZ. The intensified contradiction idea is related to the size-time-cost operator. |
| Interaction Matrix is a term of function analysis meaning matrix representation of interrelations and interactions between components of a system and components of other systems in order to establish the nature and qualities of these relations. The vertical and horizontal rows of the matrix contain the considered components distinguished in a component analysis, while the matrix cells formed thereby reflect which components are interrelated and which are not. These relations can be functions or interrelations. They can be harmful, useful, insufficient, unregulated, etc. Refer to: Function Analysis. |
| Intermediate Disadvantage is a disadvantage in a cause-effect chain, which is not a target/key disadvantage. Refer to: Cause-Effect Chains Analysis (CECA). |
| Internal Complex Su-Field is a complex Su-field, where the third substance Su3 is inserted (physically or chemically) inside the substance Su1 or Su2 of the Su-field. Such insertion of the substance Su3 is designated in the complex Su-field diagram with brackets (Su1, Su3) or (Su2, Su3). |
| Interrelation is an established and described relation between some systems (objects, components, concepts, parameters, properties, etc.). Interrelations can be mutually conditioned, obligatory, useful, harmful, insufficient, unregulated. Nature of interrelations between components is important in describing models of conflicts, demands, and contradictions. |
| Invention is a substantial improvement of a known system or creation of a new system, which allows resolution of earlier existing contradictions of demands or creates conceptually new functional capabilities of the system. As distinct from the patent practice, insignificant changes in the system not resulting in resolution of the contradictions of demands are not considered as an invention in TRIZ. 5 levels of inventions by their complication degree are distinguished in TRIZ. Refer to: Levels of Inventions. |
| Inventive Principle is brief description of a system 'AS IS' transformation to a new modified system. The principle description structure consists of the principle name and description of one to five subprinciples. 40 main principles can be distinguished, which are included to the technical contradiction resolving table of G. Altshuller, and there are also other 10 additional principles, which are not included to this table. The system 'AS IS' transformation may result in resolution of one or another contradiction, approaching to IFR, or advancement of the system along the evolution line. Principles may be applied one by one or in a complex with several principles simultaneously. Names of some principles may contain 'method', but this does not mean that they are methods of resolving contradictions. Refer to: Pair Principles, Altshuller Matrix/Table (Contradiction Matrix) and its modifications, Methods of Resolving Contradictions. |
| Inventive Problem (in TRIZ) is an original problem situation, which contains a contradiction of demands. The inventive problem basically formulates both system demands and known methods for their fulfilment, which do not give the necessary result. Refer to: original problem situation. |
| Inventive Problem Solving in TRIZ. Refer to: Contradiction Resolving. |
| Inventive Process is a complex creative process focused on specification and achievement of stated targets under conditions of limited resources through resolution of contradictions of supersystem demands to a system by formation and implementation of inventions with novelty, originality, and usefulness. An inventive process may include several phases: 1) statement or specification of a problem in an original problem situation, review of known solutions; 2) building of problem models using analytical methods for detection and specification of problems; 3) formulation and specification of a set of contradictions of demands; 4) resolution of contradictions of demands and formation of a set of solution concepts for the original problem situation; 5) comparative analysis of the concepts (benchmarking) and their verification; 6) preparation and implementation of an investment scientific-research plan for implementation of the invention; 7) registration and protection of the intellectual property; 8) implementation, replication, and economical calculations of the invention implementation results. The whole inventive process is based on inventive thinking. |
| Refer to: original problem situation. |
| Inventive Solution (in TRIZ) is such change in a system 'AS IS', which allows resolution of contradictions of demands for transition to a system 'AS TO BE'. Refer to: Invention. |
| Inventive Standard (standard for inventive problem solving) is a TRIZ-tool establishing a relation between a generalised problem model and its generalised solution model. Each standard generally contains its name, number in one or another system of standards, brief word description of its essence, El-field transformation in form of an El-field (Su-field) formula of the problem and an El-field (Su-field) formula of the problem solution, illustrations, and examples of its application. Standards are based on laws, lines of systems evolution, and El-field analysis. They contain sets of principles and effects. Inventive standards are combined to systems of standards. Refer to: System of Standards, El-Field Transformation. |
| Inventive Standards for Change is a group of standards in the system of standards for inventive problem solving, where generalised problem models provide for necessary changing the system structures: building or decomposition, evolution, transitions to supersystem or subsystem. Refer to: Task of Change. |
| Inventive Standards for Measurement and Detection is a group of standards in one or another system of standards for inventive problem solving, which includes generalised problems concerned with necessary performance of measurement or detection functions. The key recommendation of this group of standards is to refuse of measurements and obtain the necessary result without measurements. |
| Inventive Standards on Application of Inventive Standards is Class 5 in the system of 76 inventive standards for technical systems, which describes typical steps to enhance application of other standard classes from the same system: 5.1. Features of substances insertion. 5.2. Insertion of fields. 5.3. Use of phase transitions. 5.4. Application features of physical effects. 5.5. Experimental standards (on obtaining substance particles by decomposition or merging). |
| Inventive Thinking (TRIZ-Thinking) is a type of human thinking developing in inventive activities. Inventive thinking includes procedures for analysis/synthesis of systems and estimation of results from introduced changes, which are different in presence of a component of sensitivity to contradictions and their resolution, evolutionism, systemacity, and critical thinking. At present, there are 14 distinguished components of inventive thinking referred to three stages of problem solving. There are developed methods for estimation of the inventive thinking level and its separate components. |
| Inventive Thinking Model is a qualitative model describing a sequence of inventive thinking procedures for analysis, synthesis, and estimation of systems in inventive activities. The inventive thinking procedures are performed based of components of inventive thinking. The sequence of procedures in the inventive thinking model corresponds to the process of step-by-step transitions in a model of TRIZ. Refer to: Model of TRIZ, Components of Inventive Thinking. |
| Inventiveness Scale is a tool for estimation of the inventive thinking level based on defining the development level of the inventive thinking component: 0 - the component is missing; 1 - the procedure is performed randomly, non-systematically (this results in a problem statement, which is already known); 2 - the procedure provides for a targeted choice (this results in selection of a correct problem from several problems); 3 - the procedure provides for introduction of insignificant changes (this results in partial changing of an object and a problem); 4 - the procedure provides for statement of a new problem and creation of a new object; 5 - the procedure provides for creation of a new set of problems and objects. |
| Key Disadvantage (root disadvantage) is a term of cause-effect chains analysis meaning a disadvantage subject to elimination for achievement of the project goal. Key disadvantages are usually located at the root of a cause-effect chain. |
| Landscape of Ideas is a tool for comparison and ranking of conceptual directions for solving a set of problems in one or another organisation/object through visualisation of property values for the considered conceptual directions. A landscape of ideas can be built based on two or three vectors (possibly more axes of comparison, but with loss of comparison clarity) of the measured properties of the conceptual directions. The space of the landscape of ideas is separated to more preferred and less interesting zones for further development depending on the property values of each considered idea (conceptual direction). For example, the following parameters can be selected for an industrial enterprise as properties of the formulated conceptual directions for solving the problems: vector of a potential economical effect during the solution implementation, level of expenses for verification and implementation, and level of risks, such as associated with necessary research and development works. The landscape of ideas is associated with the landscape of problems through the solved problems and common vectors for estimation and solution of the problems. |
| Landscape of Problems is a tool for comparison and ranking of problem sets in one or another organisation/object through visualisation of property values for the considered problems. A landscape of problems can be built based on two or three vectors (possibly more axes of comparison, but with loss of comparison clarity) of the measured problem properties. The space of the landscape of problems is separated to more preferred and less interesting zones for selection of the problems depending on the property values of each considered problem. For example, the following parameters can be selected for an industrial enterprise as the problem properties: vector of a potential economical effect during the problem solution, problem scale vector (area or shop, enterprise, associations of enterprises or industry, general technical problem, country, world), and problem novelty vector (known and well-studied problem, new and unstudied problem, known and understudied problem, new and already studied problem). Preference in the landscape of problems for such set of properties can be given to the problems with a higher expected economical effect or a smaller scale, and to the new already studied problems. The rough estimate method (Fermi method) can be used for quick estimation of the expected economical effect. |
| Latent Parameters of Value represent non-fulfilled demands, which are not expressed either because consumers themselves do not know that they have a certain demand or because they refuse of it. Below we consider in more detail, why latent parameters of value exist whatsoever, but here we only confine ourselves to one example: What is the probability that consumers request a BMW car, which will have the same luxury, running qualities, performance, steerability, and style (already inherent for this brand), but with an added property consisting in that it will be literally unbreakable regardless of the car speed upon collision with a concrete pole on a highway? Apparently, 'unbreakability' will be a latent parameter of value. Refer to: Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis. |
| Law of Increasing the Degree of System Ideality. All systems evolutionise in the direction of increasing the degree of system ideality: the system is absent, but its function is performed. Approaching to ideality may follow the direction of increasing the number of useful functions and/or direction of decreasing the number of used resources for performance of a useful function. The law of increasing the degree of ideality can be considered as fundamental in evolution of technical systems, implementation of which is provided by all other laws, lines, and tools of technical systems evolution, for example, ideal final result (IFR). |
| Law of Completeness of System Components. The necessary condition for conceptual viability of a technical system is presence and minimum operability of its main components. Some references erroneously describe completeness of system components as a model: 'energy source - engine - transmission - working unit - control unit'. Actually, this model is referred to machines, rather than to systems generally (it was first offered by K. Marx in 1867 in Volume 1 of 'Capital'). The more precise name of the law is 'Law of completeness of the system principle of action'. |
| Law of Completeness of Formation of the Principle of Action to Achieve Goals is a law of the LEFTS group for development of structure of functional-and-targeted systems, which states that the necessary condition for formation and improvement of the principle of action is complete performance of the principle of action of the functional system, conductivity of its flows, and rhythms matching of its parts. The law of formation and improvement of the principle of action provides interrelations between components, processes, and flows in the system. This law has several conclusions, for example: 'Harmonisation and structuring of components, flows, and processes', 'Completeness of space use', 'Use and gradual displacement of auxiliary systems, in particular, humans', 'Formation of braking and feedback tools'. Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, LEFTS Group: Development of Structure of Functional-and-Targeted Systems. |
| Law of Completeness of the System Principle of Action is a law of evolution of functional-and-targeted systems, which states that the necessary condition for conceptual viability of the functional-and-targeted systems is presence, operability, and mutual compatibility of all component parts in the minimum necessary model of the system principle of action: morphology, functions, and tissues of the system. |
| Law of Deployment and Trimming of Components and Functions of the System is a law of the LEFTS group for development of structure of functional-and-targeted systems, which states that growth in number of new useful and controlled functions is ahead of growth in number of new elements (deployment) during evolution of the functional-and-targeted systems, while reduction in number of elements in the system (trimming) is ahead of reduction in number of useful functions. The deployment and trimming processes may interact with each other (some elements are at the deployment stage, other - at the trimming stage) with possible alternation of the deployment and trimming periods. Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, LEFTS Group: Development of Structure of Functional-and-Targeted Systems. |
| Law of Energy Conductivity. The necessary condition for conceptual viability of a technical system is pass-through of energy in all parts of the system. |
| Law of Evolution along the S-Curve is a figural expression describing the S-curve evolution line of systems. It is not an independent law and it depends on quality of a system (its structure and functions) interaction with the environment. Refer to: S-Curve of Evolution, S-Curve Evolution Line, S-Curve Analysis. |
| Law of Forming and Development of Auxiliary, Competitive, and Alternative Systems is a law of the LEFTS group for development of interaction with the external environment, which states that auxiliary, competitive, and alternative systems are always formed in the external environment for any system. Competition may be both in their functions and in used resources, in capability to be included to one or another supersystem. Interaction with these systems may be both a source for evolution of the system and a source for braking of this evolution. Auxiliary, competitive, and alternative systems may serve as a resource for formation of a supersystem for the initial system. Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, LEFTS Group: Development of Interaction with the External Environment, Auxiliary Systems. |
| Law of Forming and Development of Programs (Technologies) of Actions to Achieve Goals is a law of the LEFTS group for development of interaction with the external environment, which states that functional-and-targeted systems form programs of actions to achieve their goals and implement them based on their inherent principles of action. This also involves formation of an image of the expected final result from implementation of the action program, while feedback allows correcting the action program based on comparison of this expected final result image with the action results. The goal achievement programs may be implemented based on systems with different principles of action. The terms of 'action program' and 'expected final result from implementation' (acceptor of action result) are parts of the theory of functional systems offered by P. Anokhin. Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, LEFTS Group: Development of Interaction with the External Environment, Functional Approach. |
| Law of Increasing Controllability and Dynamisation of the System is a law of the LEFTS group for development of structure of functional-and-targeted systems, which states that system components, their relations, and system as a whole increase capabilities of controlled changing their parameters in the evolution process for adaptation to the external environment conditions. For that, the system should contain elements, which provide controllability, and elements able to change their parameters. Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, LEFTS Group: Development of Structure of Functional-and-Targeted Systems. |
| Law of Increasing Ideality of Functional-and-Targeted Systems is a law of the LEFTS group, which states that evolution of functional-and-targeted systems follows the direction of increasing the degree of ideality (increasing the ratio of a set of useful functions to expenses for their performance). Sets of useful functions of the system principle of action are formed according to the system demands and targets. This law is a kind of conductor for the system demands and targets. According to the law of increasing the degree of ideality, these targets and demands should be implemented with minimum expenses and minimum undesirable effects. Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, Ideal Final Result (IFR). |
| Law of Increasing the Degree of Substance-Field Interactions. Technical systems evolutionise in the direction of increasing the degree of Su-field interactions: non-Su-field systems aspire to become Su-field systems, while Su-field systems evolutionise through increasing the number of relations between elements, responsiveness (sensitivity) of elements, and number of elements. |
| Law of LEFTS of Transition to Supersystem is a law of the LEFTS group for development of interaction with the external environment, which states that evolution of any system including functional-and-targeted systems may continue as formation or inclusion to a supersystem. A supersystem can be formed through replication of the system itself, such as double-barrelled gun from rifle, or the system may be included to a ready supersystem, for example, a trolley bus may be a part of the municipal transport supersystem. The system included to the supersystem becomes more stable and effective. For example, a pride of lions is more effective than a single lion, a tribe is more effective than a single family, etc. Formation and evolution of supersystems may take place, in particular, both through merging with other systems, and through replication/scaling of systems. Refer to: Law of Transition to Supersystem, Supersystem, Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, LEFTS Group: Development of Interaction with the External Environment. |
| Law of Non-Uniform Evolution of System Parts. Parts of a system evolutionise non-uniformly: the more complicated the system, the more non-uniform the evolution of its parts. Non-uniform evolution of the system parts results in formation of contradictions of demands/attributes in the system. |
| Law of Rhythms Matching of System Components. The necessary condition for conceptual viability of a technical system is harmonisation (or intentional deharmonisation) of the oscillation frequency (work periodicity) of all its components. |
| Law of System Evolution through Forming and Resolution of Contradictions is a law of the LEFTS group, which states that systems evolutionise non-uniformly, which results in deharmonisation of the laws of evolution of functional-and-targeted systems, occurrence and resolution of contradictions in systems evolution using the main methods of resolving contradictions of demands: in time, in space, in relations, via system transition. Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, Methods of Resolving Contradictions. |
| Law of Technical System Evolution is an objective law, which describes the stable direction of a technical system evolution providing increase of its competitive ability at the system phylogenesis level. The laws of technical systems evolution are based on generalisation of large amount of information on evolution of technical systems in various disciplines including that based on patent funds. The laws of technical systems evolution allow formulating the lines of technical systems evolution and developing the methods for analysis/forecasting of technical systems evolution. The TRIZ-tools focused on technical systems evolution and inventive problem solving are based on the laws of technical systems evolution and lines of systems evolution, for example: contradictions of demands and principles of their resolution, IFR, Su-fields, standards, etc. Refer to: Set of Laws of Technical System Evolution. |
| Law of Transition from Easily Available Resources to Hard-to-Get Resources is a law of the LEFTS group for development of interaction with the external environment, which states that systems primarily use resources more easily available for them and then use hard-to-get resources. Ready resources are used first and then their derivatives are used. This also involves improvement of the mechanisms for transformation of external resources to the system itself: resources unavailable earlier become available and expenses for this transformation are also decreased in the evolution process of the functional-and-targeted systems. Line of escape from earthly conditions is one of conclusions from the law. Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, LEFTS Group: Development of Structure of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, Line of Escape from Earthly Conditions. |
| Law of Transition to Micro-Level. Evolution of working units takes place first at the macro-level and then at the micro-level. |
| Law of Transition to Supersystem. Evolution of a system upon achievement of its limit may continue at the supersystem level. The law is directly associated with the evolution line: mono-system - bi-system - poly-system - trimming of the system elements. Refer to: Law of LEFTS of Transition to Supersystem. |
| Laws of Kinematics is a group of laws from the set of laws of technical system evolution offered by G. Altshuller: law of increasing the degree of system ideality, law of non-uniform evolution of system parts, law of transition to supersystem, and law of technical systems dynamisation. |
| Laws of Dynamics is a group of laws from the set of laws of technical system evolution offered by G. Altshuller: law of transition from macro-level to micro-level and law of increasing the degree of substance-field interactions. |
| Laws of Statics is a group of laws from the set of laws of technical system evolution offered by G. Altshuller: law of completeness of system components, law of energy conductivity, and law of rhythms matching of system components. |
| Laws of System Evolution are a set of general objective laws of systems evolution based on the scientific approaches to systems evolution and generalised laws of technical systems evolution. The scientific approaches include: dialectical approach, system approach, functional approach, evolutionary approach, parametric and model approaches, psychology basis of creative thinking. The main law of system evolution states that systems evolutionise in the direction of increasing the level and efficiency of resource capture. Each evolution law separately is not contradictory. A set/system of evolution laws may contain laws, which are contradictory to each other. The discipline concerned with formation and development of the laws of system evolution is called 'Evolutionary systemology' or 'Evolutionology'. The main objects under study of evolutionary systemology are mechanisms of systems evolution in the phylogenesis and ontogenesis process, rather than the systems themselves. I.e. this is about those changes, which result in stable and effective evolutionary transformations for this system, rather than any change in the system. |
| Laws of Technical Systems Evolution Analysis is analysis of a technical system and its evolution directions based on comparison with laws and lines of technical systems evolution in order to state new problems, forecast evolution, or search for a solution of an already existing problem. With respect to statement of new problems and forecasting, the laws and lines of technical systems evolution are applied to build an image of system 'AS TO BE' from system 'AS IS'. For example, using the law of transition to supersystem, we can forecast a future new supersystem for the analysed system and state problems, which may occur at that. The problem solution process may also use the laws and lines of evolution to consider the problem in aspect of one or another law, but the tools of inventive problem solving related in some way to the laws of systems evolution are more effective to use. For example, the tools for formulation and resolution of contradictions of demands are more effective to use, rather than the law of non-uniform evolution of system parts. Formulations of ideal final result (IFR) are more effective to use, rather than the law of striving for ideal system, etc. |
| LEFTS Group: Development of Interaction with the External Environment is a group of the laws of evolution of functional-and-targeted systems (LEFTS), which includes the laws of evolution of such systems focused on adaptation to the external environment and on changing the external environment of the system. This group includes 4 laws: - Law of transition to supersystem; - Law of transition from easily available resources to hard-to-get resources; - Law of forming and development of auxiliary, competitive, and alternative systems; - Law of forming and development of programs (technologies) of actions to achieve goals. These laws interact with each other and also can have effects (specific mechanisms of the law implementation). Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems. |
| LEFTS Group: Development of Structure of Functional-and-Targeted Systems is a group of the laws of evolution of functional-and-targeted systems (LEFTS), which includes the laws of structure development of these systems. This group includes 3 laws: - Law of completeness of formation of the principle of action to achieve goals; - Law of deployment and trimming of components and functions of the system; - Law of increasing controllability and dynamisation of the system. These laws interact with each other and also can have effects (specific mechanisms of the law implementation). Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems. |
| Levels of Creative Personality represent a term in the theory of creative individual development meaning a novelty and complication level of a creative personality's activities. Three levels of creative personality are distinguished: 1) low (a known problem is solved with known methods); 2) medium (a new problem is solved with known methods or a known problem is solved with new methods); 3) high (a new problem is solved with new methods). Refer to: Maximum Upward Aspiration Concept, Levels of Inventions. |
| Levels of Inventions represent a key concept for TRIZ being a basis for all initial information funds. Their analysis lays a foundation for construction of the whole TRIZ building. G. Altshuller distinguished 5 levels of inventions. Level 1 - these are the simplest solutions of problems not containing contradictions. They can obtain patents for inventions, but they are not inventions from TRIZ viewpoint. Level 2 - there are easily eliminated contradictions. Level 3 - analysis of a contradiction of attributes (a physical contradiction) is necessary to resolve a contradiction of demands (a technical contradiction) and knowledge from various areas of expertise is required for solution. Level 4 - a principle of action should be changed and a bunch of secondary problems should be solved in order to achieve the stated goal. Level 5 - these are inventions, which lay a foundation for a new industry, solve social or social-technical problems, and give rise to several bunches of new problems and new inventions. Inventions of the first two levels can be successfully made without knowledge of TRIZ. TRIZ-methods were developed on a basis and primarily for inventions of levels 3, 4, and 5. An invention is not yet a new machine or other system. It is only a description of changes, which are just expected to be implemented in the reality. Changes made in a system should feature novelty and usefulness. The main attribute of an invention in TRIZ is overcoming of a contradiction of demands. |
| Lifecycle of TRIZ-Project at the Enterprise is a sequence of phases for formation and implementation of TRIZ-projects at enterprises, for example: - Collection phase of original problem situations (problems, undesirable effects); - Pre-project phase (collection of additional information and formation of materials for opening of a TRIZ-project); - Conceptual phase (application of TRIZ-tools for formulation and solution of problems, formation and comparison of concepts; - Verification phase (experimentation, specification of concepts); - Implementation phase including analysis of implemented solutions. Each phase can be separated to typical stages with distinguished typical milestones of TRIZ-projects at each stage. Standardised lifecycle of TRIZ-projects allows transition to monitoring and control of TRIZ-project portfolios. TRIZ-based project activities and TRIZ-project lifecycle correlate with the 'TRIZ Model' cycle for systems evolution and inventive problem solving. Refer to: TRIZ-Projects Portfolio, TRIZ-Project. |
| Line of Collective-Individual Use of Systems is a particular case of bi-systems evolution, where one of systems is the considered object and the other system is a consumer/user of this object (person, group of persons, collective). The line is referred to social functional-and-targeted systems. Contradiction: If a system is created for individual use (ownership) by one subject (person), THEN this is convenient and this does not create conflicts with other subjects, BUT this is expensive and this requires excessive resources. If a system is created for collective use (ownership) by many subjects (collective), THEN this reduces expenses, BUT creates inconveniences during use and conflicts between the user collective members. IFR: A collective system with low expenses ITSELF provides the convenient and conflict-free individual use. Key steps: Collective use / individual use - part-time collective use / part-time individual use - partially collective / partially individual system - collective in one place / individual in another place - collective-individual system. Refer to: Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems, Lines of Systems Evolution. |
| Line of Emptiness Evolution is a line of systems evolution showing regularities of insertion and structurisation of emptiness in one or another object. Main elements of evolution in the line of emptiness: 1) The object is solid; 2) 'Emptiness' has no direct contact with the object; 3) 'Emptiness' contacts the object; 4) 'Emptiness' partially wedges in the object; 5) 'Emptiness' is inside the object; 6) 'Emptiness' is fragmented; 7) 'Emptiness' is through ('empty' tube in the solid object); 8) Capillary structure (sponge); 9) Zeolite structure (tubes formed by molecules); 10) 'Emptiness' exudes from the object due to physical effect (such as bubbling from boiling liquid); 11) 'Emptiness' exudes due to chemical decomposition of substance (such as gas escaping in decomposition reaction). Main contradiction of the line of emptiness: A substance should be present in the object to perform the necessary function and should be absent to exclude spending of some resources. |
| Line of Escape from Earthly Conditions is a conclusion from the law of transition from easily available resources to hard-to-get resources, which describes the direction of technical systems evolution associated with transition from application of natural/earthly conditions (substances, fields, energy sources) 'as is' to substances, fields, energy sources and their properties, which are not typical for earthly conditions. For example: Transition from the normal atmosphere of the Earth to either pure oxygen, or inert atmosphere. Transition from the normal atmospheric pressure to either vacuum, or very high pressure. The same concerns temperatures, compositions of the atmosphere and crust, gravity, and other normal earthly conditions. Technologies gradually escape from application of normal values of these parameters to their extreme values. The key contradiction of this evolution line is associated with the fact that the earthly conditions are simpler and cheaper for use, but they are characterised by restricted capabilities, high dependency on the nature, and low controllability of processes. Escape from the earthly conditions increases capabilities of systems, but requires higher expenses. Ideally, the capabilities of the non-earthly conditions should be obtained using the unchanged earthly resources. One of the methods is to obtain the necessary result through escape in another property or with minimum escape keeping the necessary result. For example, an inert atmosphere or vacuum can be used instead of temperature reduction for preservation of food products. Technologies developed in the outer space are now gradually adapted to the earthly conditions, for example, friction welding. Refer to: Law of Transition from Easily Available Resources to Hard-to-Get Resources. |
| Line of Fragmentation and Dynamisation is a line of functional-and-targeted systems evolution based on evolutionary transition to a new system through increasing the degree of fragmentation and dynamisation of the system elements and their interrelations. Main contradiction of demands of this evolution line: If we fragment a system or its element and associate these parts in some way or other, THEN we can increase the system dynamics and controllability, BUT the system thereby becomes more complicated and requires additional resources. IFR: X-resources of the system without fragmentation and dynamisation THEMSELVES allow dynamisation and increase controllability. Key steps: Fragmentation of the system to two parts and their remerging - fragmentation of the system to many parts - merging of the separate parts using rigid relations - merging of the parts using flexible relations - merging of the parts using fields - the separate parts themselves are flexible - merging of the flexible elements using controlled fields - the whole system is flexible - controlled fields of interaction instead of elements. This evolution line is associated with the evolution laws of functional-and-targeted systems. Refer to: Lines of Systems Evolution. |
| Line of Insertion and Development of Interaction Fields is a line of functional-and-targeted systems evolution based on evolutionary transition to a new system with inserted and modified fields of interaction. Main contradiction of demands of this evolution line: If we insert a new field, THEN we can increase the system functionality or eliminate an undesirable effect, BUT the system becomes more complicated and requires additional resources. IFR: X-resources of the system without additional fields THEMSELVES increase the system functionality or eliminate an undesirable effect in the system. Key steps: Using ready or modified fields from the available resources of the system - using fields from the available external environment - using controlled fields - temporary insertion of a field - the field disappears after use. This evolution line is associated with the evolution laws of functional-and-targeted systems. Refer to: Lines of Systems Evolution. |
| Line of Insertion of Elements (Substances) is a line of functional-and-targeted systems evolution based on evolutionary transition to a new system with inserted additional elements (or substances for material systems). Main contradiction of demands of this evolution line: If we insert a new element, THEN we can increase the system functionality or eliminate an undesirable effect, BUT the system becomes more complicated and requires additional resources. IFR: X-resources of the system without additional elements THEMSELVES increase the system functionality or eliminate an undesirable effect in the system. Key steps: Insertion of emptiness as an element or a substance - insertion of a modified resource of the system - insertion of a field instead of an element - insertion of a substance in small quantities - temporary insertion of an element - insertion of an element copy instead of the element itself - the element disappears after use. This evolution line is associated with the evolution laws of functional-and-targeted systems: Refer to: Lines of Systems Evolution. |
| Line of System Evolution 'Mono-Bi-Poly' is a line of functional-and-targeted systems evolution based on evolutionary transition from a mono-system to bi-systems with different attributes, then transition to poly-systems, and trimming followed by transition to a new mono-system, which has all main attributes of the poly-system. Main contradiction of demands of this evolution line: If we add new systems to a system, THEN we can increase functionality and capabilities of the new complex, BUT the complex becomes more complicated and requires additional resources. IFR of the evolution line: X-resources of the system without additional new systems THEMSELVES increase functionality and add new capabilities of the merged complex of systems (bi-systems or poly-systems). Key steps: Addition of another identical system to the system (bi-system) - addition of many identical systems to the system (poly-system) - making different some properties in the merged identical systems - merging of different systems instead of identical systems - merging of systems and anti-systems - merging of many identical parts of different systems to one element (partial trimming) - development of relations between the merged systems - trimming of bi- and poly-systems to a mono-system with possible recurrence of the poly-systems formation cycle. This evolution line is associated with the evolution laws of functional-and-targeted systems: Increase of ideality, deployment and trimming, transition to supersystems, formation and evolution of alternative systems, occurrence and resolution of contradictions of demands. Refer to: Lines of Systems Evolution. |
| Line to Increase Replication and Scaling Efficiency is a conclusion from the law of transition to supersystems, which describes the direction of increasing the efficiency of supersystems evolution through simplification of the system replication and scaling processes. For example, a machine is simpler to be replicated than an animal, information data are simpler to be copied by a computer, than an original art work to be copied by an artist. External relations of the replicated systems, which form a supersystem, become internal relations for the supersystem. A modern plant is simpler to be scaled, that a wooden cabin or an Ancient Greek pottery. Refer to: Replication of Systems, Scaling Systems. |
| Lines of Collective-Individual Use of Systems are evolution lines of functional-and-targeted systems interacting with a person (people), which are based on evolutionary transitions from individual use to collective use and vice versa. Main contradiction of demands of this evolution line: If a system is created for individual use (ownership) by one subject (person), THEN this is convenient and this does not create conflicts with other subjects, BUT this is expensive and this requires excessive resources. If a system is created for collective use (ownership) by many subjects (collective), THEN this reduces expenses, BUT creates inconveniences during use and conflicts between the user collective members. IFR: A collective system with low expenses ITSELF provides the convenient and conflict-free individual use of the system. Key steps: Collective use / individual use - part-time collective use / part-time individual use - partially collective / partially individual system - collective in one place / individual in another place - collective-individual system. This evolution line is associated with the evolution laws of functional-and-targeted systems: Increase of ideality, transition to supersystems, occurrence and resolution of contradictions of demands. Refer to: Lines of Systems Evolution. |
| Lines of Harmonisation-Deharmonisation and Structurisation are lines of functional-and-targeted systems evolution based on evolutionary transition to a new system through harmonisation-deharmonisation and structurisation of the system. Main contradiction of demands of this evolution line: If we harmonise and structurise a system or its elements, THEN we can increase the system efficiency, BUT the system thereby becomes more complicated and requires additional resources. IFR: X-resources of the system without fragmentation and merging THEMSELVES provide the key steps: Forced harmonisation of parts - buffered (through a special element/field/subsystem) harmonisation of parts - self-harmonisation of parts without insertion of elements and fields - temporary harmonisation and structurisation - rhythms matching of processes - using capillary-porous structure for structurisation - using effects and local active additions for harmonisation of necessary attributes in order to allow dynamisation and increase controllability. This evolution line is associated with the evolution laws of functional-and-targeted systems. Refer to: Lines of Systems Evolution. |
| Lines of Systems Evolution represent description of one or another evolution direction of functional-and-targeted systems based on a chain of transformations associated with some trends or laws of systems evolution. As distinct from the laws and trends, the lines of systems evolution contain (and described by) an internal contradiction of this evolution line and IFR formulation showing the main direction of the evolution line. The lines can be distinguished as general system evolution lines (for example, mono-bi-poly-trimming line) and evolution lines of system classes: technical, informational, business, etc. The lines of systems evolution are included to the systems of standards for inventive problem solving and used in forecasting of systems evolution. |
| Lines of Technical Systems Evolution are lines of systems evolution describing an evolutionary phylogenetic sequence of transformations taking into account the evolution features of technical systems as a particular case of functional-and-targeted systems. The lines of technical systems evolution include both general lines of evolution for any functional-and-targeted systems, such as a line of transition to supersystems, and typical lines for technical systems, such as a line of escape from earthly conditions. |
| Lyubishchev System is a methodology for planning and accounting of a creative personality's elapsed life time focused on control of time loss and maximum useful application of available time for development of the personality / achievement of the stated goal. The creative personality's goal will remain a vague dream, if he/she does not develop a package of plans - for 10 years, for 5 years, for 1 year. And for each day, for each month, if there is no monitoring of these plans implementation. The Lyubishchev system assumes regular accounting of working hours and systematic control of time loss. In most cases, plans include acquisition of knowledge necessary for goal achievement. A. Lyubishchev is well-known for application of mathematical methods in biology. He was a founder/developer of the 'Lyubishchev system'. It was described in a book by D. Granin: 'This strange life'. |
| Machines (Working Machines) are technical systems using mechanical or other energy for transformation and movement of processed objects and loads: technological, transporting, and hoisting machines. K. Marx in his 'Capital' gave structural-functional characterisation of machines: 'Any developed complex of machines (Entwickelte Maschinerie) consists of three substantially different parts: engine, transmission, and working unit (working machine)'. Information machines in TRIZ are referred to information systems. Some publications erroneously equate machines to technical systems as a whole. |
| Macro-Level (Transition to Macro-Level). Macro-level is consideration of objects (systems) at the system-hierarchical level, which apparently implies presence of subsystems with qualitatively smaller size. Macro-level consideration of objects (systems) implies use of macro-parameters for their description. For example: macro-parameters of physical, technical, economical, social, and other objects and processes. Transition to macro-level is a kind of system transition to supersystem and a particular case of the 'System transition' method of resolving contradictions. A contradiction of attribute (a physical contradiction) is formulated at the macro-level (macro-PC) and micro-level. Transition to macro-level is a particular case of the law of systems evolution: Evolution of a system upon achievement of its limit may continue at the supersystem level. One of the laws of technical systems evolution: Evolution of technical systems takes place first at the macro-level and then transits to the micro-level. |
| Macro-Level Physical Contradiction is a formulated contradiction of a physical macro-attribute of a macro-object. This formulation is associated via cause-effect chains with a contradiction of demands on the one hand and with a contradiction of a physical micro-attribute of a macro- or micro-object on the other hand. |
| Main Function - is a term of TRIZ-FA (function analysis of systems) meaning a useful function, which provides performance of the primary function. |
| Main Parameters of Value (MPV). These are consumer attributes of a product, which primarily define the consumer behaviour in the market and represent the main reason to buy this product. From viewpoint of MPV, a true innovation is significant improvement of at least one MPV. Main parameters of value are defined in practical terms as those attributes, which primarily affect the consumer decision to buy the product. For example, specialists in passenger air transportation well studied how passenger comfort during air travels could be improved. They composed a detailed list of the most important problems, many of which would require significant capital investments. But it appeared that clients were ready to pay more only for solution of one of the problems, exactly for observation of the flight schedule. Therefore, this parameter was selected as the single main parameter of value. Main parameters of value, which are known to consumers (and thereat clearly expressed), can be identified using the 'Voice of the Client' tool, ethnography, etc. But those of them, which are not known to consumers (i.e. 'latent' demands), should be defined in a different way. When defined, the latent main parameters of value represent a unique opportunity to 'stun' the client (or 'enrapture' as Kano calls this effect), such as done by long-sighted product developers (S. Litvin, 2007, 2013). Refer to: Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis. |
| Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis is analysis of a market product for its parameters of value, their ranking, and separation of main parameters mostly affecting behaviour of consumers. From viewpoint of MPV analysis, a true innovation is significant improvement of at least one MPV. Refer to: Main Parameters of Value. |
| Main Production Process is a process implementing the main components of the system principle of action for production of the main product. The main production process comprises a complex of main operations changing the form, structure, association, and quality of those working objects, which are materially transferred to the product. The main production process can be provided with support of an auxiliary/complementary production process. |
| Main Useful Function is a useful function of a system focused on performance of the considered system purpose and achievement of the target properties of this system. The main product created by the considered system is an object of the main useful function. |
| Management Tasks in TRIZ are inventive business problems associated with implementation of management functions in a company. Management inventive problems can be associated with formulation/formalisation of the company's strategic and operational goals, formation/management of information flows, development of an effective system of decision-making criteria, etc. Management tasks can be reformulated during their analysis to technical problems or to more general business problems. Refer to: Business Problems, Technical Problem. |
| MATRIZ (International TRIZ Association) is the first international public professional association of TRIZ-specialists founded by decision of G. Altshuller in 1997 in the Russian Federation. MATRIZ was founded at the congress of the All-Russian TRIZ Association in Petrozavodsk. The TRIZ Association (ATRIZ) was founded in the USSR in 1989 under guidance of G. Altshuller. In 1999, MATRIZ was officially registered in Moscow as the 'International Public Association of Professional Teachers, Developers, and Users of Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ)', Registration Certificate No. 3784 issued by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. MATRIZ formed the five-level certification system of TRIZ-specialists (including the 'TRIZ Master'). Actually, MATRIZ existed till 2005 and then it was replaced by a private institution in the USA called 'The International TRIZ Association Inc. (USA)', which kept the Russian-language acronym MATRIZ in its name. In 2022, a separate group of the best known TRIZ masters and specialists disengaged from MATRIZ (USA) and founded a new international public institution called 'MATRIZ Official'. Refer to: History of TRIZ, TRIZ-Community (TRIZ-Social Movement), TRIZ-Schools, TRIZ-Certification. |
| Maximum Upward Aspiration Concept in the theory of creative individual development is an ideal strategy of creative personality focused on maximum efficiency in statement and achievement of worthy goals. The strategy essence is to state the most substantial possible goals and transit to even more substantial goals, once the solution is already clear as a whole. This is to transit to even more ambitious new goals instead of spending time for implementation and endless demonstration of truth. The ideal strategy of creative personality contains three tiers, three levels of worthy goals: 1) narrow technical, narrow scientific, narrow artistic; 2) general technical, general scientific, general artistic; 3) social technical, social scientific, social artistic. Movement at each tier follows typical phases: a) selection of a direction for researches, b) statement of a certain problem, c) collection of necessary information, d) solution, e) implementation or start of implementation. The maximum upward aspiration concept assumes transition to the following tier of goals not waiting for implementation of already obtained and developed solutions. |
| Maxi-Problem is an inventive problem statement, where search for a solution assumes substantial changes in the considered system right up to changing the principle of action. Such directions of search for the solution of the original problem situation generally provide for research and development works, which complicate implementation of the found solutions. |
| Measurement El-Field (Su-Field) is a special El-field (Su-field) type, which is used for representation of inventive problem models requiring performance of measurement or detection functions in a system and described in terms/symbols of El-field (Su-field) analysis. Measurement El-field is designed exactly for description of a measurement inventive problem model, rather than modelling of a measurement system as a whole. |
| Measurement Function is implementation of a target concerning measurement of one or another parameter in a system in its measurement process using measurement systems. The measurement process assumes: presence of a measurement object, presence of a measured parameter (property), presence of unified units of measure and reference units for the measured parameter, comparison of the object with the reference, presence of a feedback to establish identity of the object to the reference, and recording of the obtained measurement result. Any measurement process has one or another degree of inertia (measurement is not performed instantaneously as any process). |
| Meeting with Miracle is one of the first and most important steps of a creative personality in ZhSTL creating a very powerful creative motivational potential for whole his/her life. This is about a dramatic event or a series of dramatic events in life of a child or an already adult person, which dramatically affect his/her emotional background, imprint themselves forever, and leave their stamp on whole his/her later life. This can be a meeting with an uncommon person, a dramatic legend, a wonderful book, an awful tragedy, a miraculous victory, etc. Researches showed that most creative personalities experienced dramatic events or series of events in their life (childhood or youth), which formed them as a personality, 'prompted' a worthy goal, and gave energy/motivation for the whole life to go for it. |
| Method of Separating Contradicting Demands (Conflicting Requirements) in Relationships is a method of resolving contradictions, which is based on the fact that one demand to a system is fulfilled in relation to one component or its state, while another demand is fulfilled in relation to another component or its state. Some principles of resolving contradictions can be referred to the method of separating contradictions in relationships, for example: intermediary, copying, bi-method. |
| Method of Separating Contradicting Demands (Conflicting Requirements) by Physical-Chemical Transitions is a method of resolving contradictions, which is a particular case of the method of separating contradicting demands by system transitions and based on the fact that the system transition is performed through application of one or another physical-chemical attribute of an element, in particular, one or another physical-chemical effect. Some principles of resolving contradictions can be referred to the method of separating contradicting demands by physical-chemical transitions, for example: changing of physical-chemical parameters of an object, use of mechanical oscillations, replacement of a mechanical scheme, application of phase transitions, application of strong oxidisers, application of an inert atmosphere, assembly on/in water, vacuum bag, dissociation-association. |
| Method of Separating Contradicting Demands (Conflicting Requirements) by System Transitions is a method of resolving contradictions, which is based on the fact that one of contradicting demands is fulfilled at one system level (supersystem, system, or subsystem), while another demand is fulfilled at another system level. Some principles of resolving contradictions can be referred to the method of separating contradictions by system transitions, for example: fragmentation, merging, application of composite materials, multi-stage action, foaming, bi-method. |
| Method of Separating Contradicting Demands (Conflicting Requirements) in Space is a method of resolving contradictions, which is based on the fact that one demand to a system is fulfilled in one spatial location/direction, while another demand is fulfilled in another spatial location/direction. Some principles of resolving contradictions can be referred to the method of separating contradictions in space (direction), for example: removal, nest doll, transition to another dimension, application of inserted parts. |
| Method of Separating Contradicting Demands (Conflicting Requirements) in Time is a method of resolving contradictions, which is based on the fact that one demand to a system is fulfilled in one time, while another demand is fulfilled in another time. Some principles of resolving contradictions can be referred to the method of separating contradictions in time, for example: preliminary anti-action, pre-placed cushion, jumping, pausing. |
| Methods of Resolving Contradictions are universal generalised methods of separating contradicting demands: 1) in space (direction), 2) in time, 3) by system transition, 4) by physical-chemical effects, 5) in relationships. Each method of resolving contradictions can be referred to one or another group of principles of resolving contradictions. One principle can belong to several such groups at once. Refer to: Principles of Resolving Contradictions (Inventive Principles). |
| Method of Trends is a fantasising method based on detection of dissonances and contradictions in two different evolution trends of a system and formation of a new or fantastic idea on this basis. Instruction on application of the method: 1. Select two real (but not associated) evolution trends of technology, science, or culture. 2. Assume an evolution limit for each trend in future. 3. Detect a contradiction occurring in future between these trends. 4. Offer a new idea resolving this contradiction. The method can be considered as a modified version of the size-time-cost method or number axis method. |
| Methods for Eliminating Psychological Inertia are methods for control of imagination and fantasising focused on reduction of impact from a person's thinking inertia vector on images and ideas created by him/her. This is provided through separation of the idea generation and criticism (brainstorming) phases, check lists of typical questions for elimination of psychological inertia (control question method), increase of randomness during generation of ideas (focal objects method), systematisation of exhaustive search for ideas (morphological table). Inertia can be eliminated also using fantasising methods and techniques, as well as analytical TRIZ-methods for search of new ideas. |
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Methods of Creating Fabulous and Fantastic Plots are fantasising methods and techniques focused on formation and development of fabulous and fantastic ideas and building of plots on their basis. Propp's Cards can be used for thinking of a fabulous plot line. |
| Metric is a qualitative or quantitative indicator, which reflects one or another property, parameter, and success rate of the considered system. Quantitative indicators are simpler to be traced. Therefore, they are used more often. These indicators can serve as a basis to make a conclusion on the success rate in achievement of the stated evolution goals of the system. Refer to: Target Metrics. |
| Micro-Level Physical Contradiction is a formulated contradiction of a physical micro-attribute, for example, substance particles composing a macro-object. Formulation of a micro-level contradiction is associated via cause-effect chains with formulation of a macro-level contradiction of an element attribute and with a contradiction of demands to the system as a whole. |
| Micro-Level. Transition to Micro-Level. Transition to micro-level is a kind of system transition to subsystems associated with transition to consideration of an object at a level of simple elements. For a substance, this is the level of molecules, atoms, and elementary particles. This transition features qualitative changes of the parameters, which describe the considered object, for example, temperature and pressure are substituted with movement speed, quantity of atoms in volume, etc. The transition to micro-level is used during consideration of systems, problems, physical contradictions (micro-PC), during application of methods and principles of resolving contradictions. One of the laws of technical systems evolution: Evolution of technical systems takes place first at the macro-level and then transits to the micro-level. The transition to micro-level is also described in the standards for inventive problem solving and included to the methods of resolving contradictions: 'System transition' and 'Physical-chemical and phase transitions'. |
| Micro-Problem is a term of the 'Step Back from IFR' method meaning a problem, which occurs upon a minimum demounting change in a system ready for elimination of problems and focused on elimination of effects after this minimum deviation from the system 'AS TO BE'. Refer to: Step Back from IFR. |
| Middle Game in ZhSTL is a phase, which describes interaction steps of a creative personality with external circumstances in the period of Worthy Goal 1 achievement and Worthy Goal 2 statement. The creative personality is diverted by external circumstances: intrigues, diseases, discredit, rivalry, school 'corruption'. The main steps of the creative personality are time management, avoidance of conflicts, advancement to Worthy Goal 1, selection of Worthy Goal 2, foundation of a creative team for the selected goals. |
| Mini-Problem is an inventive problem statement, where search for a solution is restricted by the following requirement: everything in the system is kept 'as is' (without any changes) or yet more simplified, but the demanded positive effect is provided or the harmful effect is eliminated. Definition of a mini-problem is aimed at obtaining the demanded solution with minimum possible changes in the existing system. Formulation of a mini-problem often results in sharpening of the problem statement, formulation of an unexpected contradiction, or finding of a simple and effective solution. |
| Model (broadly defined) is an image (including conditional or mental - picture, description, diagram, drawing, graph, plan, map, etc.) or a pre-image (prototype) of any object used as its 'substitute' or 'representative'. So, a globe serves as a model of the Earth, while an underground map - as a model of a subway system. Similarly, we can say that a taxidermied animal is a model of this animal, a passport photograph is a model of the passport owner (although an artist in contrast calls as a 'model' exactly the person he/she draws). |
| Model Approach in TRIZ is a set of methods focused on transition from a system 'AS IS' to a system 'AS TO BE' through creation of models of these systems, as well as models of procedures and TRIZ-tools providing this transition and described in a TRIZ-model. TRIZ uses function models, problem/contradiction models, ideal solution models, inventive thinking models, creative personality models, parameter models, etc. Refer to: Model, Model of TRIZ. |
| Model of Inventive Problem is a model, which includes only those components, which are necessary for further solution of a problem using a certain TRIZ-tool. Inventive problems in TRIZ can be modelled as technical or physical contradictions, non-effective or harmful superfields, non-effective or harmful functional interactions, and general technical functions. The model, which represents the inventive problem, is often used as a part of the inventive problem definition. |
| Model of Function is a minimum diagram of a function, which is described with a template of three constituents: function subject (carrier), action, function object. The action may be expressed as an action verb or a parameter and its change direction. For example, a burner increases temperature of a furnace, a locomotive increases speed of a train, a liquid close to phase transition stabilises temperature of an object, a parachute decoy changes colour (paints) vortices, etc. In some cases with no directed action and only interaction of objects, the function subject cannot be distinguished from the function object. For example, interaction of two radioactive substances may activate a nuclear reaction and cause an explosion. In this case, both substances interact. In optics during creation of mirrors in a polishing machine, two mirrors can be made at once in some phase: convex and concave. Both glasses polish each other. Refer to: Function, El-Field. |
| Model of Problem in TRIZ is a conditional diagram of a problem with common designations and text formulations according to templates and standards adopted in TRIZ. The following models of problems are used in TRIZ: diagrams of typical conflicts, conflicting elements, harmful functions, processes, flows, formulations of contradictions, formulations of standards for inventive problem solving, chains of undesirable effects in cause-effect chains analysis, etc. Refer to: Diagram (Model) of Technical Contradiction, Diagram of Typical Conflicts. |
| Model of System 'AS IS' is formed from a system 'AS IS' using some models of TRIZ: component-structural and functional models, Su-fields or El-fields, description of contradictions or diagram of typical conflicts, etc. Depending on the selected model type, it is further transformed to a model of system 'AS TO BE'. |
| Model of System 'AS TO BE' is formed from a model of system 'AS IS' using procedures, which correspond to the selected method of models transformation (functional, Su-field, El-field, resolution of contradictions of demands and attributes, etc.). The transition along the line of 'system AS IS - model of system AS IS - model of system AS TO BE - system AS TO BE' corresponds to the 'model of TRIZ' diagram. |
| Model of TRIZ is a schematic generalised process of step-by-step transition from a problem to a TRIZ-model of the problem, then to a TRIZ-model of its solution, and further to the solution itself; from a system to TRIZ-model of the system, then to a TRIZ-model of a new system, and further to the real change of the system. The model of TRIZ includes a sequence of procedures of the inventive thinking model: analysis, synthesis, estimation. Refer to: Reverse Application of TRIZ-Model, Inventive Thinking Model. |
| Modelling with 'Smart Little People' is a method for overcoming of psychological inertia during solution of an inventive problem constituting a mental experiment, where an object (or operational zone) is represented as a crowd of smart little people performing the received commands. |
| Modified Substance is a substance, which can be used to obtain another substance with attributes changed as necessary using various methods, such as: change of substance form/structure/integrity; physical or chemical bonding with another substance, processing with fields, addition of emptiness, etc. For example, the modified substance is necessary to be obtained during analysis of substance-field resources and implementation of standards for elimination of harmful relations between substances through insertion of the third substance being a modified version of two conflicting substances. |
| Mono-System is a system, which is considered as monolithic without breakdown to separate function blocks. The mono-system is considered as the start and end of a phylogenetic cycle of the system evolution: 'mono-bi-poly-mono'. Example of an evolution line: rifle (mono-system), double-barrelled gun, multi-barrelled gun, self-operated gun (new mono-system after trimming of the poly-system). Refer to: Law of Transition to Supersystem, Line of System Evolution 'Mono-Bi-Poly'. |
| Morphological Analysis is a method for improvement and creation of new systems. The method essence is to distinguish several features (morphological attributes) in a system to be improved and then compose lists of alternatives for each attribute. Attributes with their various alternatives are tabulated (arranged to a 'morphological table') in order to better represent the search field considering all possible combination options of the system attributes with each other. Parts of this system or several interrelated systems, rather than one of the system attributes, may be arranged along one of the axes. The main advantages of the morphological analysis are its flexibility, simplicity, and completeness in description of all possible considered combinations in the system. For example, the morphological analysis can be performed for technical systems, social-cultural systems, software, fabulous plots or screenplays, etc. Its disadvantage is a lot of possible combinations, some of which are either impracticable or ineffective (adding no new useful qualities to the system). Selection of some combinations in the morphological table may involve occurrence of contradictions between separate parts of the system or their attributes. In this case, statement of inventive problems is possible for resolution of contradictions. Refer to: Morphological Table. |
| Morphological Table is a tool of morphological analysis, which represents a two-dimensional or multi-dimensional table, where some attributes or parts of a system are entered along the table axes. The morphological table is also called 'morphological chart' or 'morphological matrix'. Various combinations of cells in this table describe all possible implementation options of the analysed system. Refer to: Morphological Analysis. |
| Multi-Screen Analysis. Refer to: System Operator Analysis (9 Windows Analysis). |
| Multi-Screen Diagram. Refer to: System Operator or Multi-Screen Talented Thinking Scheme. |
| Negation Operator is a term of cause-effect chains analysis, which means a logical construction in respect to a cause-effect chain, where acceptance of an event cause is combined with negation of its effect occurrence. For example, there is a burning flame, but no fire. Refer to: Cause-Effect Chains Analysis (CECA). The negation operator is used for formulation of a problem, which allows breaking of an undesirable chain in cause-effect relations. |
| Negative Effect. Refer to: Harm, Harmful Machine, Harmful Function, Harmful Interaction, Harmful Action, Harmful El-Field (Su-Field). |
| Neighbouring System is a system (or a system element) of the same order with the considered system, which has established or potential capabilities to establish direct interaction with the considered system through one or another field of interaction (physical, chemical, biological, social-cultural, economical, legal, etc.). A neighbouring system cannot be a supersystem or a subsystem for the considered system. Elements from supersystems, systems, and subsystems can turn out to be neighbouring systems (neighbouring elements), if they meet the requirements to neighbouring systems. Examples of neighbouring systems: anti-system, system with shifted parameters, alternative system, etc. |
| Neutral Function is a function, which is not useful, but also not harmful for a system. Neutral functions can be considered during function analysis as a resource of the system, which can be used for the benefit of the system. |
| Non-Algorithmic Methods in TRIZ are methods for activation of creative imagination and reduction of psychological inertia, not based on the objective laws of systems evolution. For example: trials and errors method, brainstorming, control question method, etc. These methods can be included to TRIZ-courses as auxiliary for development of creative imagination. |
| Non-Material Object is an object (system, element) without weight and volume in the physical space. These can be intellectual property items, inventions, knowledge, legal, political, psychological, and any other objects of human cultural activities. Non-material objects are always based on information in one or another form. As distinct from material objects, informational objects have an attribute of multiple copy reproduction. Carriers of non-material objects are always material objects. |
| Non-Material System is a system consisting of non-material (informational, abstract) elements. Non-material systems are always associated with material carriers of these abstract systems. Non-material systems can be either functional-and-targeted (for example, scientific systems) or self-organising (for example, bridge languages, religious views, ritual behaviour of animals). |
| Non-Routine/Non-Standard Inventive Problem is a problem without any analogous problems or functional analogues found, which is not compatible with the known standards for inventive problem solving. Such problems are solved in TRIZ using ARIZ. Refer to: Non-Standard Inventive Situation. |
| Non-Standard Inventive Situation is an inventive problem, where its model cannot be referred to problem models in the system of standards for inventive problem solving or the offered standard solution cannot be applied for the considered inventive problem. Non-standard inventive situations also include problems, for which no analogous problems with known solutions can be found and a function-oriented search does not allow finding the necessary solution as well. Non-standard inventive situations are solved in TRIZ using ARIZ and other types of problem situations analysis. Refer to: Non-Routine/Non-Standard Inventive Problem. |
| Non-Technical TRIZ is a discipline of TRIZ theory and practice associated with solution of inventive problems and forecasting of non-technical systems evolution. This discipline can be divided to two parts. The first part is an area dealing with evolution of material non-technical objects, for example, in biology, medicine. The second part is an area dealing with evolution of non-material objects, for example, in business, science, art, economy, politics, ethnic groups, etc. Non-technical TRIZ assumes two directions of activities: a) TRIZ application for solution of inventive problems and evolution of non-technical systems; b) development of TRIZ-laws, methods, and tools for demands and needs of non-technical systems evolution processes. |
| Object Hidden Properties Method (Robinson Crusoe Method) is a method for fantasising and elimination of psychological inertia based on search for hidden properties of objects, new and unusual use of already known objects. This method is usually described as a mental experiment: You are situated on an uninhabited island. You have infinitely many things of the same type and nothing more. You should satisfy all your needs using only these things. The method is focused on analysis of resources, available objects, and events. |
| Object of Function is a system component (element, substance, or field), parameters of which are changed under action of a function carrier. Function object is a part of a function or El-field (Su-field) model. |
| Obligatory Function (Interrelation) is a function or interrelation in a system, which is definitely present in the system and cannot be eliminated or changed according to the existing demands. A problem for trimming or changing of an obligatory function or interrelation cannot be stated during modelling of conflicts in the system. The obligatory function or interrelation is considered during modelling of conflicts as an useful function, changing of which is not required (or prohibited). Refer to: Coupled Harmful-Useful Interaction. |
| Ontogenesis (Greek ón, óntos in genitive case - 'things in existence' + ...genesis) is individual evolution of an organism, a complex of sequential morphological, physiological, and biochemical transformations, underwent by the organism from origination to end of life. |
| Ontology of TRIZ is a research area in TRIZ focused on structuring/management of TRIZ-knowledge and definition of semantic relations between terms, which indicate how one certain TRIZ-term is related to other terms in a subject area of TRIZ. Ontology defines a general dictionary for researches and developers allowing them to exchange information. Such dictionary includes formal definitions of terms in a subject area built on a basis of ontological relations between them. The 'Ontology of TRIZ' project is implemented on an initiative basis in 'Summit of TRIZ Developers' (TRIZ-Summit) non-profitable organization. The following activities are provided under this project: - Distinguishing of key TRIZ-terms, which are associated with other TRIZ-terms through various relations. - Development of ontological diagrams showing relations between TRIZ-terms. - Discussion of ontological diagrams among TRIZ-specialists. - Development of new definitions for TRIZ-terms based on the ontology of TRIZ. |
| Open Innovation is an approach to innovations, which allows involvement of both internal and external sources. The idea is that not all smartest people work in one company. The company should attract people from the external environment so that they offer their ideas, give comments, and thereby improve the final product. The theory of open innovations defines the process of researches and developments as an open system. |
| Open Problems are problems, solution of which cannot be unambiguous and referred to some known rules/algorithms. Inventive problems are open. |
| Operation (process part) is a description of a function performance (changing of one or several parameters of an object) in time not indicating the function carrier, but indicating the state of the function object before its change and its changed state after the operation. As in the function, the process model may indicate a field used to change one or another parameter of the object. Typical operations: transformation, conversion, separation, mixing, stockpiling, delaying, measurement. The operation model indicates the operation time parameters and parametric changes. Refer to: Process Analysis, Process. |
| Operational Time (OT) is a time interval, during which a conflict occurs between a conflicting pair. Three time intervals can be defined: 1) pre-conflict time, 2) conflict time, 3) post-conflict time. Each of these periods can be differently used for analysis and resolution of the conflict. The operational time describes conflicts both for material and non-material systems. The operational time is a particular case of the 'Operational zone of parameters of conflict (OZPC)' term. |
| Operational Zone (OZ), Conflicting Components mean a space, within which a conflict occurs between a conflicting pair, and some elements of the conflicting pair immediately adjacent to this space. The operational zone is a particular case of the 'Operational zone of parameters of conflict (OZPC)' term. |
| Operational Zone of Parameters of Conflict (OZPC) is a set of parameter fragments characterising attributes or properties of components in a conflicting pair and their interaction. During analysis of material systems, an operational zone (OZ) of a physical space is distinguished as one of OZPC constituents. During analysis of non-material systems, the operational zone is a parametric abstract space of some parameters of elements and fields of interaction, rather than a physical space. In any case, an operational time (OT) of a conflict is distinguished as one of conflicting components of a material or non-material system. The operational zone of parameters of conflict is generalisation of the operational time, operational zone of the space, and operational zone of the considered conflict parameters. |
| Original Problem Situation is a problem situation formulated by a problem giver in an initial state before analysis of this original problem and collection of additional information. Specification of the original problem situation may result in reformulation of the problem situation or formulation of another problem situation. Refer to: Problem Situation. |
| Originality is a constituent of the inventive thinking estimation group allowing thinking operations focused on obtaining of new unique solutions independent of thinking inertia. |
| Pair Principles are two principles of contradiction resolving, which are combined together through an attribute of inverse changes recommended in these principles. For example, fragmentation - merging, periodical - continuous useful action, flexibility - local quality, etc. Refer to: Duality 'Principle - Anti-Principle'. |
| Pairwise Comparison Method is a method, which allows defining the relative significance of various objects or parameters through their comparison in pairs. During pairwise comparison, each object is compared with each other object and the comparison results are recorded to a matrix of pairwise comparison. For pairwise comparison, a set of objects or parameters to be compared should be selected. The pairwise comparison method in TRIZ is applied for ranking of problems, concepts, expenses, and value in those cases, when it is impossible to obtain objective properties of objects or this is complicated by restrictions of resources and, in particular, time. Refer to: Value and Expenses Analysis. |
| Parameter is a value characterising any primary (initial) attribute of a process, event, or system. Parameters indicate how the given system (process) is different from other. Therefore, parameters can be both quantitative and qualitative (for example, integrity, phase state, etc.). Parameters can characterise: 1) environment, surrounding system; 2) control actions, and 3) system internal state. Parameters can be concentrated (for example, capacity of an electrical capacitor, weight of a load suspended on a beam) and distributed in space (for example, inductance of a power transmission line). A targeted change or measurement of an object parameter is an action on the function object. Parameters affect properties, which are secondary in relation to the system parameters. Refer to: Property, Attribute (Feature). |
| Parameters of Function are parameters of a function carrier, action, and object associated with the described function. For example, weight or power can turn out to be important for the function carrier. An important parameter for the action, for example, can be duration, intensity, and function object parameter, on which the action is focused. In addition to the changed parameters, the function object can have restrictive parameters and obligatory parameters for the given action, for example, hardness, magnetic permeability, transparency, etc. |
| Parameters of Value (PV) is a term of MPV analysis, which defines various attitude of consumers to properties of a commercial product at least by two criteria: fulfilled - non-fulfilled demands, known - unknown demands. 4 types of parameters of value can be distinguished according to these criteria: basic parameters of value, tacit parameters of value, demanded parameters of value, latent parameters of value. Refer to: Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis. |
| Parametric Analysis generalises results of structure, function, and information analyses and it is performed in order to estimate efficiency of a system based on analysed quantitative values of its parameters. Objects of a parametric analysis are particular and generalised parameters of the system forming a hierarchical structure. |
| Parametric Approach in TRIZ (parametric TRIZ) is a set of modelling methods in TRIZ associated with description of systems and their transformations using their parameters and properties. This approach allows formalisation of most procedures and methods in TRIZ, in particular, description of components, system 'AS IS', system 'AS TO BE'. The parametric approach can be successfully applied for models of functions, flows, and processes, formulations of IFR, formulations of contradictions of demands and attributes, description of undesirable effects, during formalisation of the laws of systems evolution, in ARIZ, in function-oriented search, and during formalisation of many other TRIZ-tools. In particular, this allows simpler creation of computer programs, which automate application processes of TRIZ-methods. The parametric approach provides for parametrisation processes of considered systems and their changes, as well as for a parametric analysis focused on study of impact from external and internal parameters of the system on quality of its functioning analysed using direct and indirect criteria and statement of problems on elimination of undesirable effects. Refer to: Parameter, Property, Scientific Foundations of TRIZ. |
| Phase of System's Birth and Early Development is a phase of a system's S-curve evolution line, where the principle of action of the system is not completely formed yet and the desired level of the main properties of the system is not achieved yet. This phase lasts until beginning of the phase of system's growth. |
| Phase of System's Growth is a phase of a system's S-curve evolution line, where the main properties of the system demonstrate a relatively quick growth from formation of its principle of action and achievement of the desired level of the main properties to the phase of system's maturity, where the growth of properties continues at lower rates. Refer to: S-Curve Evolution Line. |
| Phase of System's Maturity is a phase of a system's S-curve evolution line, where the system transits from the rapid growth phase to a relatively weak growth of the system properties due to high expenses necessary to continue such growth. The system approaches the phase of stagnation due to reaching the system evolution limits according to limits of the principle of action and exhaustion of resources for evolution (internal and external). Refer to: S-Curve Evolution Line. |
| Phase of System's Stagnation is a phase of a system's S-curve evolution line, where the main properties of the system stop growing due to reaching the evolution limit of the available principle of action of the system. In this phase, the system properties can be stable, variable, or declining due to degradation and total disappearance of the system. Refer to: S-Curve Evolution Line. |
| Phylogenesis (Greek phýlon - tribe, genus, species, and genesis), phylogeny, historical evolution of organisms. The term was introduced by a German evolutionist E. Haeckel in 1866. |
| Physical Contradiction is a contradiction of a physical attribute of a system element associated via cause-effect chains with a contradiction of demands to the system as a whole. Refer to: Contradiction of Attribute/Feature (CA/CF), Physical Contradiction (PC). |
| Physical Effect is a natural-scientific effect based on physical phenomena or their combination. Catalogues of physical effects are created to search for a necessary physical effect. In addition to descriptions of effects, the catalogues give information on functions, which can be implemented using them, and examples of inventions made on their basis for resolution of some contradictions of demands. |
| Material Object is an object (substance, body) with weight and volume, occupying a definite place in the space (with coordinates). Technical, biological, physical, chemical, and other types of material objects are distinguished depending on aspects of their consideration. Material objects have attributes of interaction between each other using physical fields of interaction: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong and weak interaction. More generally, they can be called 'material systems' and 'material elements'. An object, which changes or studies another object, is called 'subject'. An object with any changed parameter can be considered as another object, for example, water with temperature below zero is ice. An object in a state of directional movement can be considered as a flow object. Refer to: Component, Element, Flow. |
| Physical Parameters are parameters of a material object reflecting its physical attributes. Physical parameters are measured in common units of physical values, for example, in SI system, and they have respective dimensions. SI system distinguishes main and derived units of measure. |
| Point of View is a fantasising technique, a method for generation of fantastic ideas, creation of plots, and control of psychological inertia. Consideration of usual objects, situations, and characters is recommended from various and uncommon points of view. Exercises according to the 'Point of view' method can be selected based on its targets. |
| Poly-System with Shifted Parameters is a poly-system, where its initial constituents (identical or different) have comparable properties, which are different this or other way. Refer to: Poly-Systems. |
| Poly-System with Identical Parameters is a poly-system, where its initial constituents are identical and have identical properties. Refer to: Poly-Systems. |
| Poly-System with Inverse Parameters is a poly-system, where its initial constituents have inverse properties and/or functions. Refer to: Poly-Systems. |
| Poly-Systems are systems, which merge several systems together: with identical, shifted, or inverse parameters (including anti-systems). A poly-system should have qualitatively new properties in comparison with its initial constituent systems. Poly-systems represent a part of the 'mono-bi-poly-trimming' line of evolution. |
| Positive Effect is a useful change in a system 'AS IS' bringing its properties closer to demands of a system 'AS TO BE'. This can be elimination of harmful functions, processes, flows, and interactions, improvement of insufficient or unregulated functions and interrelations, improvement of technical, economical, environmental, ergonomic, and any other properties of the system according to the existing demands to it. |
| Post Endgame in ZhSTL is a phase, which describes interaction steps of a creative personality with external circumstances in the period after his/her death. Actions of external circumstances: history distortion, school and super-movement 'corruption', worthy goals distortion. The main steps of the creative personality are archived authentic materials, super-movement creative activities, statement of new worthy goals by apprentices and followers. |
| Principle at Macro-Level is application of an inventive principle and effects for macro-objects as distinct from application of the same principle at a level of micro-objects. For example, the fragmentation principle can be applied at a shop or part level, for example, as distinct from application of the same principle at a level of substance molecules. |
| Principle at Micro-Level is application of an inventive principle and effects for micro-objects as distinct from application of the same principle at a level of macro-objects. For example, the dynamics principle can be implemented at a chemical level (a micro-object) as a Briggs-Rauscher reaction. Examples of dynamics at macro-level: jack knife, inflatable boat, etc. |
| Principle of Action is a description of key features of functional-and-targeted systems, which are necessary to perform a set of functions typical for the considered system. This description should include the system morphology (a component-structural model), functions set (including flows and processes), and system tissues (substances composing the system components). The principle of action description also includes cause-effect relations, which result in performance of functions, and effects allowing their implementation. The principle of action can be described in various aspects (physical, chemical, biological, technical, ergonomic, economical, etc.) and at various generalisation/detailing levels. The principle of action description can describe both a new or modified system for its designing and an already operating system for its analysis, modelling, and development. Analogous systems by the principle of action can be found based on similarity in morphology, functions set, and used substances (system tissues). Multivariance of the principle of action description necessitates the conceptual introduction of a minimum necessary model of the system principle of action - description of the system principle of action, where no components or functions can be removed. Refer to: Law of Completeness of the System Principle of Action. |
| Principles of Resolving Contradictions (Inventive Principles). Inventive principle is a description of a method for changing of a system, changing of its properties to obtain a new system image, or overcoming of contradictions of demands in the system. The principles of resolving contradictions (inventive principles) were formulated by G. Altshuller based on analysis of a large fund of inventions: 40 main principles and 10 additional principles. Inventive principles are implementation examples of methods of resolving contradictions. G. Altshuller developed an application table for the principles of resolving contradictions, which distinguishes typical conflicts of demands to technical systems and their corresponding principles of resolving technical contradictions. Some principles are general system principles, since they can be applied to material and non-material systems, while the other principles can be applied only to material systems. |
| Problem Density Analysis is a method for analysis of a problem situation based on comparison and ranking of problem densities in order to state the most economically effective problems focused on changing various properties of a system. Algorithm of problem density analysis may contain the following steps: - Select a set of objects, flows, and processes for analysis; - Define a target of analysis; - Define properties to be used as a basis for ranking; - Select properties of objects, flows, or processes to calculate densities per unit; - Calculate specific densities for the properties selected in Step 3 per unit of the properties selected in Step 4; - Take into account cumulative nature of expenses in flows and processes; - Use benchmarking for comparison of several properties (property densities); - Analyse results of ranking from viewpoint of conformity with the targets defined in Step 2. If the targets are not achieved, go to Step 1. Refer to: Density of Problem. |
| Problem of Measurement or Detection is an inventive problem or a contradiction of demands, where at least one of system demands is associated with collection of information on one or another measured parameter value or with detection of one or another object or changes in it. The system of 76 standards for inventive problem solving contains the 4th class of standards: 'Standards for detection and measurement of systems', which includes 5 groups of substandards: bypasses, synthesis of measurement systems, forcing of measurement systems, transition to Fe-field systems, and directions of measurement systems evolution. Refer to: Measurement Function, Measurement El-Field. |
| Problem Search is a part of a pre-project lifecycle stage of a production TRIZ-project focused on detection and analysis of original problem situations in order to select the most promising problems for the enterprise. The problem search may use various methods of the enterprise TRIZ-analysis, in particular, function, flow and process analyses. Sessions of problem statement jointly with the enterprise top management are recommended for search, formulation, and ranking of problems at the enterprise. Refer to: TRIZ-Analysis, TRIZ-Project, Landscape of Problems, TRIZ-Projects Portfolio, Ranking of Problems, Analysis of original problem situation. |
| Problem Situation is an objective barrier or difficulty on the way from a system 'AS IS' to a system 'AS TO BE', which requires resolution and can be formulated as a question or a set of questions. As distinct from a problem or a contradiction of demands, a problem situation does not contain or consider possible methods for its resolution. For example, difficulties with improvement of one or another parameter can be considered as a problem, such as increase of profit, production capacity, equipment operation reliability, product quality, etc. A problem or a contradiction in some way contains a method for its resolution, which does not work for whatever reason. For example, the following task can be formulated based on a problem: improve the equipment reliability through increase of inventories and redundancy, but not increasing stock reserves and idle assets of the enterprise. A problem situation describes one or another set of demands to a system 'AS IS' to obtain a system 'AS TO BE'. Analysis of a problem situation may result in correction of the initial demands set, finding of a known method for fulfilling of the demands set, or clarification of contradictions in the demands set to use known methods for fulfilling of each demand separately. In the last case, the problem situation changes to a contradiction of demands. Evaluation of information completeness in the problem situation description can serve as a basis for building of a road map for application of analytical TRIZ-tools to specify this description. Refer to: Evaluation of Completeness of the Problem Situation (Inventive Problem), Analysis of original problem situation, Disadvantage, Inventive Problem. |
| Problem Statement is a process of formation and specification of description for an original problem situation, where a customer with existing problems interacts with a contractor, which should develop concepts for their elimination. The customer and contractor roles can be combined, if a problem is stated on an initiative basis. |
| Procedure for Changing Systems over Time is a component of the inventive thinking analysis group allowing thinking operations focused on recording and establishment of relations in changes of systems over time. |
| Procedure of Analogy Applying is a component of the inventive thinking synthesis group allowing thinking operations focused on detection and use of analogies. |
| Procedure of Applying Principles of Resolving Contradictions is a component of the inventive thinking synthesis group allowing thinking operations focused on resolution of contradictions using principles. |
| Component Analysis Procedure is a component of the inventive thinking analysis group allowing thinking operations focused on building of a component model of a system. |
| Procedure of Resources Applying is a component of the inventive thinking synthesis group allowing thinking operations focused on detection and use of system resources. |
| Procedure of Establishing Interrelations and Interactions (Structure Analysis) is a component of the inventive thinking analysis group allowing thinking operations focused on detection of interactions and interrelations of system elements. |
| Procedure of Transition to Supersystem is a component of the inventive thinking analysis group allowing thinking operations focused on detection and formation of supersystems. |
| Process is a complex of sequential and/or parallel operations, where an output object of one operation is an input object of another operation. A process describes changes in parameters of a system/object over time at output from the process in comparison with the same parameters of the system/object at input to this process. Storage or stockpiling is a process focused on preservation (constancy) of parameters of a system/object over time. A process can be represented as a graph and/or a table, which describes properties of interrelated operations. A control process model should contain information on reference properties, system current state, and control signals generation rules. A process can be useful, harmful, insufficient, unregulated, neutral, excessive, main, auxiliary, etc. Refer to: Operation, Process Analysis. |
| Process Analysis is a method for analysis of systems focused on detection, statement, and specification of problems through building of a process model in a system 'AS IS' and for a system 'AS TO BE', as well as designed for establishment of the system interrelations, search for resources, and identification of conformity with the current system demands. During process analysis, the problem statement is performed based on detected dissonances between different properties of the systems 'AS IS' and 'AS TO BE' and between process operations (duration of operations, production capacity, cost of operations, quality indicators of operations, etc.). Harmonisation of process operations, reduction of duration and cost of processes, rhythms matching of processes and flows in the system, and simultaneous performance of several functions should be provided. Typical problems of processes may be formulated based on recommendations for different process types (useful, harmful, auxiliary, etc.). Refer to: Operation, Process. |
| Process Approach is a generalised set of methods and principles focused on studying and modelling of a system functioning with regard to performance of the system functions over time. The process approach assumes consideration of separate operations or business processes as a single system for transformation of objects at input to this process to objects with changed properties at output from this process. The process approach provides for building of models of operations and processes, their analysis and detection of problem zones, statement and solution of inventive problems detected based on a process analysis. Refer to: Process, Process Model, Technological Process (Production Process). |
| Process Model (in TRIZ) is an El-field, where the second element El2 is transformation of the first element El1 through changing of one or another parameter in El1 within a certain period of time and using a certain field of interaction. As distinct from a function, the process model does not indicate the tool used to change the parameter and, as distinct from a flow, modelling is focused on time, rather than movement length or flow intensity. The process model may comprise a sequence of interrelated operations. The process model may include separate models of functions and flow areas. Refer to: Operation, Process Analysis, Process. |
| Product is a commodity or a service, which can be offered for the market and which will fulfil demands of consumers. TRIZ considers all lifecycle stages of a product formation and evolution: a) formation of an idea and development of a product; b) verification of the product and market demand; c) management of sales, logistics, and replication; d) development of marketing, promotion of the product, and development of new markets; e) support of demand, cost saving; f) search for new products in case of the market loss and drop in sales. In ontogenesis, the product undergoes other stages: 1) production and packaging; 2) logistics and stockpiling; 3) sales, provision, and delivery; 4) operation; 5) disposal. Each of stages involves occurrence of inventive problems, which can be solved using TRIZ-methods. |
| Product (in TRIZ) is a function object or an element of a 'tool - product' conflicting pair, which is intentionally changed as a result of one or another interaction. Tools in the general sense, such as knife, cutter, or awl, should be considered as products in certain interaction, for example, during their machining using a grindstone or manufacturing. There is a rule, whereby change of a tool in a conflicting pair is more preferable than change of a product. |
| Production Problem is a problem situation occurred in activities of a production facility. Refer to: Problem Situation, Landscape of Problems, Problem Search. |
| Programs of Goals Achievement represent a term of the laws of functional-and-targeted systems evolution meaning an information image (model) of a possible sequence of actions (technologies) and intermediate results necessary for achievement of a goal by one or another subject being a carrier of the goal. A program is performed through implementation of the necessary system principles of action and it contains feedback-based mechanisms for correction (adaptation) of the program performance. Refer to: Target, Functional-and-Targeted System, Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems. |
| Property is a parameter describing secondary attributes of a system, which is the secondary (dependent) parameter of the system parameters describing primary (input) attributes of the system. The system properties are divided to global describing the system as a whole and local describing its separate elements or parts. For example, properties are power, reliability, energy consumption, weight-dimensions, etc. Refer to: Parameter, Metric. |
| Propp's Cards represent a method for creation of a fabulous plot based on typical plot lines of fairy tales. The fabulous plot is created from offered typical parts (cards), which can be composed to various plot lines. Typical parts of fabulous plots: 1) Absence of any family member. 2) Prohibition addressed to the hero. 3) Prohibition breaking. 4) Subversion (or shortage). 5) Magic device attainment (gift-giving). 6) Starting antagonism. 7) Trouble elimination. 8) Return of the hero. 9) Hard problem statement for the hero. 10) Victory, gift, cheers. |
| Providing Functions (in TRIZ-FA) are useful functions, which help in performance of other useful functions, for example, complementary / main / auxiliary functions of various ranks. |
| Psychological Inertia is a psychological effect resulting in that a person makes decisions according to an inertia vector under conditions of monotonous activities, limitation/congestion of information, increased communication rate, or abrupt change of an object consideration aspect. Psychological inertia is a habit to standard reactions in standard situations. Lateral thinking is our ability to control psychological inertia, skill to see a situation in absolutely new circumstances, with new 'players'. TRIZ includes tools for control of the psychological inertia vector. |
| Qualities of Creative Personality (QCP) represent a section in the theory of creative individual development, which describes a creative personality model as a set of necessary six qualities of creative personality: existence of a worthy goal; capability to build and implement plans for achievement of the worthy goal; high working ability; skill to solve occurring problems; skill to 'take a punch'; effectiveness. |
| Ranking of Problems is distribution of tasks formulated based on an analysis of production problems according to the selected production efficiency criteria, if solutions of these tasks are found. Ranking should be based on several criteria, for example: expected economical effect from a task solution, scale of a problem solved thereby, novelty of the offered task and its knowledge degree, capability of replication, assumed expenses for its solution, etc. Ranking should also take into account properties of the current TRIZ-projects portfolio. A new initiated TRIZ-project should improve and make more stable the TRIZ-projects portfolio parameters. For example, if the current TRIZ-projects portfolio of an enterprise is stable, many TRIZ-projects are already verified, and a reliable economical result is planned, then a new TRIZ-project with a good expected economical effect can be initiated, even if it bears certain risks associated with necessary research-development works and attraction of investments. Refer to: Landscape of Problems, Problem Search, TRIZ-Project, Analysis of original problem situation, TRIZ-Projects Portfolio. |
| Receiver is a system element in a flow area model, which receives the flow from its channel. A receiver describes volume or location, where one or another flow is directed. A flow receiver can either accumulate the flow elements or convert the flow to another type (substance, energy, or information) for performance of one or another function or process. Refer to: Flow. |
| Replication of Systems is a process of repeated production or manufacturing of any object, process, or product from an original or its model. Replication can be referred to a system as a whole, its separate parts and elements, or an inventive solution for evolution of the system. Replication of systems (as distinct from copying) can involve adaptation of a system to certain external conditions with introduction of insignificant changes and keeping the system principle of action. Replication of solutions allows saving of expenses for development of systems evolution concepts and their implementation. Replication is one of methods for formation of supersystems. Refer to: Line to Increase Replication and Scaling Efficiency. |
| Repository of Science-Fiction Ideas is a systematised list of fantastic ideas from the science-fiction literature. The goal of creating the repository of science-fiction ideas was to identify the laws of evolution for intellectual and developing systems. The repository was created by G. Altshuller (G. Altov, a science-fiction writer) in the period from 1964 to 1980. Ideas in the repository of science-fiction ideas are separated to 11 classes: 1. Outer space; 2. Earth; 3. Human; 4. Society; 5. Cybernetics; 6. Alien sentients; 7. Fantastic fauna and flora; 8. Time and space; 9. Fantastic initial situations; 10. Scientific-technical ideas; 11. Environment. Each of classes has its subclasses. The repository of science-fiction ideas served as a basis for creation of: - Method for building of science-fiction ideas: 4-level fantasising scheme, creative imagination development method, about 30 specific principles for development of science-fiction ideas. - 'Fantasy-2' scale for estimation of science-fiction ideas. - Patent fund of science fiction. |
| Required Parameters represent a term of TRIZ-FA (function analysis), which defines parameters corresponding to real functioning conditions of an object. |
| Researches in TRIZ is a TRIZ-discipline focused on scientific-research and methodical works in area of laws and regularities of technical/non-technical systems evolution, inventive problem solving in various areas of expertise, forecasting, inventive thinking development, creative individual development, TRIZ-training for adults and children. The main areas of researches in TRIZ are mechanisms of systems evolution, inventive thinking development, and creative individual development. Researches in TRIZ are based on information funds (card files) of inventions from various areas of expertise, systems evolution, creative personalities, and inventive thinking development tools. |
| Resource System is a system, which can serve as a basis for building (formation) of other systems. At that, these systems themselves have no attributes of self-organising or functional systems. Resource systems do not have any external demands and, respectively, there is no need for functions to fulfil such demands. Resource systems do not have any functional-and-targeted properties, such as beach sand, electromagnetic field of the Earth, gravity, etc. |
| Resources Analysis of a system (substance-field resources - SFR) is analysis of elements, substances, and fields of interaction already existing in a system or a supersystem, as well as derivatives (variations), which can be easily obtained from the existing elements and fields. Analysis is made in order to clarify resources, which can be primarily used for solution of stated problems and performance of necessary functions. System resources are classified by: - Type (material, energy, information, space, time, etc.); - Quantity; - Value; - Degree of readiness for application; - Sources. Non-material resources can be separated and analysed in non-material systems, respectively: informational, financial, political, motivational, emotional, etc. Refer to: Substance-Field Resources (SFR). |
| Restrictive Demands are demands focused on prohibition or obligatory presence of some functions, interrelations, components, and their parameters in a system. Restrictions can be formulated for a certain range of parameter values or for their certain values. |
| Restrictive Demands (Requirements). Refer to: Restrictive Demands. |
| Reverse Application of TRIZ-Model is generalised representation of reversion of the applied TRIZ-methods to inverse. For example: analysis of a harmful system instead of analysis of an useful system, analysis of IFR instead of analysis of a contradiction, etc. It is important to note that this is about reversion (changing) of the performed analysis, rather than reversion of the system. Two groups of analysis reversion can be distinguished. - Reversion of the analysis directions and targets, for example: subversion analysis instead of cause-effect chains analysis, harmful machine analysis, step back from IFR; - Reversion of the analysis object, for example: reverse function-oriented search, goldfish method (creation of a real object from a fantastic one, rather than creation of a fantastic object from a real one). Refer to: Model of TRIZ. |
| Reverse Function-Oriented Search is a TRIZ-tool focused on an information search for application of one or another functional-and-targeted system in a new area. During a reverse function-oriented search, the function carrier and action are known and an object is to be found, where they can be applied. A direct function-oriented search is used to find an answer how to implement the necessary function, while a reverse function-oriented search is used to find an answer to the question where the available technology can be applied. Refer to: Function-Oriented Search, Model of Function. |
| Road Map of TRIZ-Project is a part of a TRIZ-project implementation strategy visualising the recommended application sequence of TRIZ-tools under this TRIZ-project. The road map is drawn in the specification phase of the original problem situation. The content and structure of the road map depend on the solved problem type and completeness of the problem situation formulation. When description of the initial situation contains less information than necessary, the need for application of analytical TRIZ-tools is higher and the TRIZ-project is more complicated as a whole. Compinno-TRIZ software package has a function for automated drawing of the recommended road map of the TRIZ-project for the formulated initial situation. Refer to: Evaluation of Completeness of the Problem Situation (Inventive Problem), Problem Situation, Type of Solved Problem, TRIZ in IT. |
| Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a structured step-by-step process, which helps in detecting main factors or causes of an unfavourable event or a closely related emergency situation. Understanding of factors promoting a system failure or its causes helps in developing a response plan for elimination of the problem situation and its non-repetition in future. Root cause analysis is performed in order to answer the questions: 'What occurred?', 'Why did this problem situation occur?', 'What actions should be taken to avoid its repetition?'. RCA is essentially close to cause-effect chains analysis and '5 whys' method. Root cause analysis is widely used in production, management of industrial processes, and quality control, as well as for analysis of failures in engineering support and maintenance. |
| Root Conflict Analysis (RCA+) is an improved version of the root cause analysis (RCA) method focused on analysis of problem occurrence causes and distinguishing of potential contradictions on their basis through distinguishing of elements referred at the same time both to problem formation and to performance of useful functions. RCA+ is a universal method not limited by any certain discipline, which helps to: • Decompose a problem to some interrelated causes and effects. • Detect 'invisible' causes and conflicts. • Extract and represent contradictions. • Structurise and visualise the problem. RCA+ was developed through merging the key ideas of three approaches: classic root cause analysis (RCA), theory of constraints (TOC), and TRIZ. The root conflict analysis (RCA+) reduces complication of inventive problems thanks to extraction, identification, and formulation of contradictions, which promote occurrence of the considered problem. Refer to: Root Cause Analysis (RCA). |
| Rough Estimate Method (Fermi Method) is a method for rough estimation of one or another system property through building of a chain of interrelated data, intuitive approximate estimation of each constituent in these data, and making of a logic conclusion on possible estimated value of the unknown property. The estimation process takes a very short period of time (some minutes) and no search for accurate data is required. Approximate properties may help in quick estimation of one or another idea, its scale, and need for its consideration whatsoever. The method is based on a doctrine that all our knowledge is interrelated and actually there are no existing questions with unavailable information whatsoever. Therefore, with just some facts available and capability of logical thinking, we may find an answer to any problem, even absolutely unsolvable at first sight. Enrico Fermi used this method in those cases, where he had to quickly give an approximate answer and only later decide whether further calculations were reasonable to obtain accurate data. Refer to: Landscape of Problems. |
| Scale 'Fantasy-2' (scale for estimation of science-fiction ideas) is a system for estimation of science-fiction ideas based on distinguished criteria and estimation of their level for one or another idea. Scale 'Fantasy-2' includes four 'objectivised' indicators and one purely subjective: novelty, credibility, humanological value, artistic value, subjective estimate. Each indicator can be at one of four levels from 1 to 4 (poor, satisfactory, good, excellent). The product of levels (scores) by five indicators gives points and the idea class depends of these points. The scale includes 20 consolidated classes depending on got points. The scale allows both giving a real estimate of a fantastic idea and comparing different ideas between each other, prompting the idea development directions. Scale 'Fantasy-2' was developed in 1982 by G. Altov and P. Amnuel based on analysis of ideas from the science-fiction literature. |
| Scaling Systems is proportional increasing of some system parameters without functional distortion of the proportions and keeping the principle of action. Examples of scaling: magnification of picture, expansion of production capacity, enlargement of size, extension of client base. Replication may be a particular method of scaling, for example, creation of a network of identical shops is a business scaling method. Scaling may result in formation of a supersystem. Refer to: Replication of Systems, Line to Increase Replication and Scaling Efficiency. |
| Science-Fiction Idea is a fantastic situation, possibility of which is described by objective scientific methods or by those similar to scientific assumptions. Many science-fiction predictions came true in the reality with the lapse of time. For example, Herbert Wells predicted a nuclear bomb in 1914, bank cards were described by Edward Bellamy in 1888, Jules Verne described a helicopter in 1886, and Karel Capek imagined a robot in 1920. |
| Scientific Effect. Refer to: Effect. |
| Scientific Foundations of TRIZ represent a set of knowledge, concepts, principles, theories, and general scientific approaches being a foundation for TRIZ as a science dealing with evolution of technical and other systems. Foundations of TRIZ include the following scientific approaches: dialectical, system, functional, evolutionary, parametric, and model approaches. The scientific foundations of TRIZ also include information funds of systems evolution, psychology of inventive thinking, and main postulates of TRIZ. Refer to: Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), TRIZ-Postulates. |
| Screens of System Operator represent a part of the system operator designed for displaying of the considered system, its changes according to some rules, and associated system relations of supersystems and subsystems. The system operator contains a central screen (considered system), screens of supersystems, screens of subsystems, screens of past and screens of future. Depending on number of viewing axes in the system operator, it can have more screens, for example, screens for consideration of anti-systems, alternative systems, etc. Refer to: System Operator or Multi-Screen Talented Thinking Scheme, Variability of System Transitions. |
| S-Curve Analysis is one of analytical TRIZ-tools focused on statement of problems and forecasting of systems evolution based on an assumption that evolution of a system follows an S-curve. Each of three typical phases of the S-curve of evolution has its typical problems. When we identify the current phase of the system evolution, we can define the typical problems and forecast the next phases or transition to another principle of action, if an evolution limit is reached. |
| S-Curve Evolution Line is a line of functional-and-targeted systems evolution based on sequential evolutionary transition of the main properties of a system from one section of the S-curve of evolution to another. Each section (phase) of the S-curve of evolution has its typical contradictions and IFR. The first phase of the S-curve features contradictions between necessary maximum use of already known/available resources and formation of new functional structures/processes. The second phase (rapid growth) of the S-curve features contradictions between the formed functional structure of the system and need for its cheap replication, improvement of functional and consumer attributes, formation of a production and sales infrastructure. The third phase (stabilisation and stagnation of the main properties) features contradictions between preservation of quality and need for cost saving, competition with other products and services, restrictions of the initial principle of action of the system, problems of merging with other systems and transition to supersystems. The fourth phase (fluctuations, decline) features contradictions between the principle of action of the system and changing conditions of the external environment / market demands, search for local areas of application, need for formation of a different principle of action of the system. Refer to: Lines of Systems Evolution, S-Curve of Evolution. |
| S-Curve of Evolution is a graph of a key parameter changing in a system during its evolution similar to letter S: the curve of evolution is gentle in the first section (phase), then rapidly rising in the second phase, and again gentle or even declining in the third phase. In 1975, G. Altshuller used S-curves to forecast evolution of technical systems. In 1979, G. Altshuller called them 'life lines' of technical systems in form of S-curves: 'Life of a technical system (yet as other systems, for example, biological) can be illustrated as an S-curve showing how the main properties of the system (power, production capacity, speed, number of output systems, etc.) change over time'. The first mentioning of systems evolution along the S-curve can be referred to the mid 19th century for country population forecasts (Pierre Francois Verhulst, logistic curves), Gompertz curve (Benjamin Gompertz, 1799-1865), Pearl curve (Raymond Pearl, 1870-1940). Similar formulas were used to describe growth of organisms and populations in biology (D'Arcy Thompson, 1917; Alfred Lotka, 1925). This line of systems evolution can be used in practice. However, it is not an independent law, but only a consequence of qualitative changes in systems evolution. The first phase is formation of a principle of action and adaptation to conditions of the external environment. The second phase is rapid replication or increase of key parameters through good adaptation to the external environment and through high demand. The third phase is stabilisation of growth due to occurrence of new restrictions, exhaustion of resources for growth, and appearance of competition. |
| Secondary Problem is a problem, which should be solved in order to implement an initial inventive solution offered for the considered inventive problem. |
| Selected Alternative System is either of mutually alternative systems, which is selected as the main system in the alternative systems merging process. This involves formulation of a problem for transfer of features and functions of the non-selected alternative system to the selected alternative system. |
| Self-Organising System. This term was introduced by W. Ashby in 1947. The following attributes of self-organising systems can be distinguished: - Cooperative processes play a crucial role in formation of a system. These processes are based on coherent or harmonised interaction of the system elements and they change the molecular behaviour type; - The system is dynamic with non-linear and poorly predictable movement; - The system is open and non-equilibrium, which provides its substance-energy and information exchange with the environment. Self-organising systems do not fulfil demands of supersystems. The self-organising system is a resource system, where processes and flows associated with changes in elements and system as a whole in time and space are formed spontaneously (not according to demands of supersystem) under action of energy flows. For example: vortices, volcanic explosions, formation of starts and planets, etc. |
| Sensitivity to Contradictions procedure is a component of the inventive thinking analysis group allowing thinking operations focused on detection of contradictions in a system. |
| Sensitivity to Resolution of Contradictions procedure is a component of the inventive thinking estimation group allowing thinking operations focused on check of obtained solutions for possible harmful and useful effects from changes introduced to the system. |
| Separation of Contradicting Demands (Requirements) is a process of analysing a contradiction of demands and searching for a conceptual direction for its resolution using some TRIZ-tools. Contradicting demands can be separated through: a) finding of ready solutions for the analysed contradiction of demands; b) reformulation of demands and/or estimation of their significance; c) separation of contradicting demands using methods, principles, standards, and other tools for resolution of contradictions in TRIZ. |
| Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems (LEFTS) is a set of interrelated laws and lines of evolution of functional-and-targeted systems describing their whole lifecycle of formation and evolution. The set consists of 4 main parts: 1) law of increasing the degree of ideality, 2) groups of laws of system structure development, 3) groups of laws of interaction with the external environment, and 4) law of evolution through forming and resolution of contradictions of demands. Laws of the LEFTS group may come into a dialectical contradiction with each other as distinct from each law separately. Resolution of contradictions between laws and lines of evolution is provided by the law of evolution through forming and resolution of contradictions of demands. The LEFTS group itself is a functional-and-targeted system and it can evolutionise thanks to new conclusions from laws, lines of evolution, new laws, and their interaction. |
| Set of Laws of Technical System Evolution is merging of the laws of technical system evolution to a single system, which should have a defined internal logic and complete description of technical systems evolution. G. Altshuller distinguished 3 groups of laws not associated to a hierarchical structure: statics, dynamics, and kinematics. Laws of statics: law of completeness of system components, law of energy conductivity, and law of rhythms matching of system components. Laws of kinematics: law of increasing the degree of system ideality, law of non-uniform evolution of system parts, law of transition to supersystem, and law of technical systems dynamisation. Laws of dynamics: law of transition from macro-level to micro-level and law of increasing the degree of substance-field interactions. Another version of the set of laws of technical systems evolution is built hierarchically and it includes both laws and lines of technical systems evolution. In this case, the hierarchical structure of the laws of technical systems evolution is based on supremacy of the law of increasing the degree of system ideality. |
| Sharpening of the Contradiction (Escalation of the Conflict). Refer to: Intensified Contradiction. |
| Similar Functions are functions with available identical generalised functions. |
| Size-Time-Cost Operator is a method of imagination control, where standard properties of a system are changed (increased or decreased) to change an image or an idea: size (what will happen, if the system size is decreased or increased by 10, 100, or 1000 times?), time (what will happen, if the considered action is performed slower or faster by 10, 100, or 1000 times?), cost (what will happen, if the object cost is increased or decreased by 10, 100, or 1000 times?). At that, essential root changes are important to be obtained in the considered system. Both these three properties and any other properties of the system (number axis method) can be changed to obtain a new image. |
| Solution-Analogue is an inventive solution, which immediately or with modifications for certain new conditions can be transferred to other systems and disciplines. When a solution-analogue is used, a reverse problem is stated (how an already known solution can be profitably applied to the new system), rather than a direct problem on improvement of the system. The problem on transferring the known solution can be solved using a reverse function-oriented search. |
| Source is a system element in a flow area model, which generates or contains the flow elements (substance, energy, or information) and provides the flow. It may be characterised by capacity, volume, power, flow velocity, and other properties. The source is characterised both by the future flow elements and by the capacity, which contains or generates these elements. Refer to: Flow. |
| Space is a term defining positions of some objects relative to each other. Each space is described by one or another system of coordinates defining location of each point of this space. A physical (real) space and an abstract (mathematical) space should be distinguished. The physical space has three coordinates and allows defining locations of objects relative to one or another point in this space. The physical space and substance objects are inseparable from each other. Objects can be located only in space and time. The space boundaries and attributes cannot be defined without objects. The space concept can be extended through insertion of time as the 4th coordinate of space-time. As distinct from space coordinates, movement along the time axis of space-time is possible only in one direction. Abstract space is a mathematical set with a structure defined by axiomatics of attributes of its elements (for example, points in geometry, vectors in linear algebra, events in theory of probability, etc.). Subspace is a subset of the space, if the space structure induces a structure of the same type in this subset. For example, the two-dimensional space is a particular case of a subspace of the three-dimensional space. Superspace is a superset, where the considered space is included as an integral part (a subset). The physical space of a conflict is considered in TRIZ as an operational zone (OZ), while the abstract space (for example, financial, social, economical, informational) - as an operational zone of parameters of conflict (OZPC). Refer to: Space System Operator, Operational Zone (OZ), Conflicting Components, Operational Zone of Parameters of Conflict (OZPC). |
| Space and Planes of System Evolution represent a term in the laws of functional-and-targeted systems evolution meaning a space (a plane) of possible evolution directions of an initial system formed on a basis of two or more axes as lines of systems evolution. A combination of two evolution lines composes the evolution plane, while a combination of three and more evolution lines composes the evolution space of the system. For example, the 'line of fragmentation and dynamisation' and the 'line of collective-individual use' form the system evolution plane. If we add another line, for example, 'S-curve evolution line', we obtain the system evolution space. Refer to: Lines of Systems Evolution, Set of Laws of Evolution of Functional-and-Targeted Systems. |
| Space System Operator is a system operator with another axis added - a space axis: space at the system level, superspace of the system, subspace of the system. The space screens correspond to each screen of the system operator (past, present, and future). This expands the capabilities for visualisation of systems evolution and consideration of transitions both at the system level / in time and in space. For example, the space of a car is its total volume, its superspace is a garage, street, or auto repair shop space, and its subspace is, for example, inside a certain wheel tyre. The space system operator can be used for forecasting, specification of a conflict operational zone, resolution of contradictions in space, search and use of space resources. etc. Refer to: System Operator, Screens of System Operator, Space, Method of Separating Contradicting Demands (Conflicting Requirements) in Space. |
| Spatial Geometry Operator is a part of a catalogue of geometrical effects related to increasing efficiency of energy processes (and energy loss) with geometrical shapes of the system components. For example, the transition should follow the path of 'point - line - plane - volume' in order to increase efficiency of a useful impact. And vice versa, inverse evolutionary movement is necessary in order to decrease a harmful impact: from volume to plane, from plane to line and point. Refer to: Catalogue of Effects, Geometrical Effect. |
| Special Term is a term used for description of an original problem situation, a function, or a principle of action, which is not a common concept and which is typical for a special narrow area of expertise or slang. TRIZ recommends using common and clear concepts for creation of a necessary image instead of special terms or using generalised terms adopted in TRIZ, for example: element, substance, field, emptiness, supersystem, etc. |
| Stages of System Lifecycle are stages of a system evolution process in ontogenesis typical for this system, which cover its various states from occurrence of a need for such system and to its total disappearance or decommissioning. The lifecycle is described as processes of the system evolution (milestones) typical for one or another stage, rather than as time units of measure (minutes, hours, years), for example: development of requirements and terms of reference, development of a system concept, verification, development of project documentation, manufacturing or construction, operation, final decommissioning, and disposal. Each stage of the system lifecycle has its typical problem situations, contradictions of demands, and system relations. The previous and next stages of the system lifecycle can be both sources of occurring problems and resources for their solution. Refer to: Axes of System Operator, System Ontogenesis, System Operator Analysis (9 Windows Analysis). |
| Stagnation Zone is a flow area, where some its part is entrapped for a long time or forever. As a result, the effective power of the flow is decreased as upon presence of leaks, although it is entirely kept in the system. Consequently, elimination of 'stagnation zones' results in increasing the use efficiency of the useful flow through increasing the completeness of its use without increasing the total power. |
| Standard for Inventive Problem Solving is a tool of standard typical steps for systems evolution including those through solution of inventive problems by Su-field transformations and primarily based on Su-field (El-field) transformations. Usual format of a standard: word description of the standard, Su-field formula (Su-field transformation) of the standard, and examples to the standard. The standard describes a model of system 'AS IS' and its disadvantage or contradiction, which basically should serve as a basis for changing this model and a model of system 'AS TO BE'. There are known standards with regard to finishing of incomplete Su-fields, elimination of harmful functions or improvement of useful functions, evolution of Su-field structures, and evolution of measurement systems. |
| Standard Inventive Problem is a problem, where its model corresponds to one or another standard for inventive problem solving, it has a relevant analogous problem with a known solution, or its solution can be found by function-oriented search. |
| Standardised Task is a problem, where its model corresponds to one or another typical conflict diagram or problem model in the standards for inventive problem solving. |
| Step Back from IFR is a method designed for finding an image how IFR can be achieved during solution of an inventive problem, if the problem statement describes a ready system as it should be and the problem comes to definition of a method to obtain this system. At that, the ready system is drawn according to IFR and then a minimum demounting change is introduced to the drawing. After that, a procedure for eliminating this demounting change should be defined in order to restore the ideal solution. If the system comprises many identical elements, then the change can be applied to one of them and transferred to all others after that. |
| Structure Analysis is analysis of a technical system or a process based on detection of interactions between components of the system or process itself and components of a supersystem. |
| Substance in TRIZ is any material system considered as a single element. Substance is a material element of a system. 'Substances' in TRIZ are understood both as physical or chemical substances and as technical systems or their parts, living substances, and sometimes also as external environment. |
| Substance-Field Analysis. Substance-field analysis is a TRIZ method for formation of a model of material system 'AS IS' and its transformation to a model of material system 'AS TO BE' using Su-field diagrams (analysis of substance-field structures during synthesis and transformation of material systems). At that, the model of system 'AS IS' may contain a Su-field model of problem and the model of system 'AS TO BE' may contain a model of solving this problem. Substance-field analysis may use diagrams of typical conflicts for building of the model of system 'AS IS'. Su-F transformations may be performed using rules of Su-F transformations, standards, and lines of material systems evolution. |
| Substance-Field Resources (SFR). These are fields, substances, time, space, neutral or harmful functions, and interrelations, which are available in a system, a supersystem, a subsystem and can be used for implementation of useful functions. Derivative resources, which are formed through transformation, separation, or merging of initial resources, can be used for implementation of useful functions as well. Emptiness and periods (pauses) in time are universal resources. During resolution of contradictions, resources are separated to intrasystem (product/tool resources in the operational zone), supersystem, and external system resources depending on proximity to the operational zone of conflict. 1. Intrasystem SFR: a) SFR of the tool; b) SFR of the product. 2. External system SFR: a) SFR of the environment specific exactly for the given problem; b) SFR common for any external environment, 'background' fields, such as gravitational and magnetic fields of the Earth. 3. Supersystem SFR: a) waste products of an extrinsic system (if such system is available in the problem statement); b) 'pennyworth' - very cheap extrinsic elements, cost of which can be neglected. Non-material resources can be separated and analysed in non-material systems, respectively: informational, financial, political, motivational, emotional, etc. Refer to: Resources Analysis. |
| Subsystem is a system object, which can be represented as an independent system comprising elements and with certain integrity. The subsystem elements form a subset of the system elements set. Each system may have many various subsystems. Subsystems can be distinguished in various aspects, for example, functional-technical, economical, aesthetic, etc. |
| Subversion Analysis is one of system analysis methods focused on detection and prevention of harmful events in various systems (technical, informational, organisational), on explanation of observed unexplainable situations, and on simplification of data collection in relation to a studied object/process. The main idea of subversion analysis consists in raising a question how a problem can be created instead of its solution. Three directions are distinguished for application of subversion analysis in TRIZ: explanation of observed events, statement of problems for reduction of risks in a system, raising of the most urgent questions during search for information on the system. |
| Su-Field Transformation is El-field transformation for material systems |
| Su-Field (Su-F) is a model of a minimum material system comprising two substances and a field of interaction between them or two fields and a substance transforming one field to another. Su-field is a particular case of El-field, where material components of a system serve as elements and fields. Su-field with ferromagnetic substances is called Fe-field, Su-field with an electrostatic field is called E-field, and Su-field with a thermal field is called T-field. Su-field designed for measurements of detections is called measurement Su-field. |
| Su-Field (El-Field) Diagram is graphical representation of mutual relations between three components of a Su-field (for example, two substances and a field or two elements and a field). The typical shape of the Su-field graphical representation is triangle. Number of components and relations in the general case can be different. Substance-field analysis permits relations between the Su-field components not forming a closed triangle. For example, field F1 has an effect on substance Su1, which in its turn has an effect on substance Su2. Such non-closed structure is prohibited in El-fields, since the field should have a simultaneous effect both on Su1 (El1) and on Su2 (El2). |
| Su-Field Formula is an El-field formula for material systems. |
| Summary of Case-Studies in TRIZ is a joint card file of interesting inventions, analogous problems, used analogies, original examples of TRIZ-tools application or assumed regularities in systems evolution, and any other examples useful for researches in TRIZ / theory of creative individual development or for formation of methodical materials of TRIZ-training. This summary is maintained by a group of authors and distributed among TRIZ-specialists. The first summary of case-studies on the theory and practice of inventive problem solving was prepared by G. Altshuller in Baku in 1976. Each summary of case-studies contained approximately 50 cards and could be ether thematic (for example, for a certain evolution regularity or a discipline of TRIZ / theory of creative individual development) or simply comprising a set of interesting examples. One or another specialist assigned by G. Altshuller was responsible for each issue, while G. Altshuller himself generally coordinated the issued summaries of case-studies. Each card and summary of case-studies had certain requirements to quality and completeness. The main task of the summaries of case-studies was to stimulate research activities in TRIZ. The personal card files and summaries of case-studies should be the first steps in development of researchers in TRIZ / theory of creative individual development. The TRIZ-summaries of case-studies were issued till mid-1980s. The electronic summaries of case-studies were issued in 2006-2020 at http://temm.ru/. The summaries of case-studies represented the next evolution stage (transition to a supersystem) of personal card files of inventors and TRIZ-specialists. |
| Super-effect is an useful effect, which was obtained additionally as a result of solving an inventive problem, with other initial demands, and not targeted in statement of the problem. A super-effect occurs due to insertion of some system changes necessary for transition from a system 'AS IS' to a system 'AS TO BE'. New system relations formed due to these changes may result in secondary problems, if they turn out to be harmful, or in a super-effect, if they are useful. |
| Super-Effect Discovering is a process of studying effects from changes introduced to a system as a result of solving a problem. This process is focused on detection of super-effects. This study is performed simultaneously with search for secondary problems and any other system effects associated with the introduced changes. The study can be performed on abstract/real models or in the verification and operation process of the changed system. Refer to: Super-Effect. |
| Supersystem is a system, which includes the considered system as an integral part. Several supersystems can be distinguished for each system. The following main attributes of the supersystem can be distinguished for the considered system: 1. Is the supersystem a superset for the considered system? (The answer should be positive). 2. Is the considered system a subset of the supersystem? (The answer should be positive). 3. Can a direct, peer-to-peer, functional, or other relation be established between the supersystem and considered system? (Such relation is impossible, because the considered system in this case should have a relation with itself, since it is an element of the supersystem, where it is included itself). |
| Synectics, Types of Analogies. Synectics is a system for statement and solution of problems based on creative thinking, which includes free use of metaphors or analogies during informal communication within a thoroughly selected small group of people with different individual qualities and working in different disciplines (Webster's Great Academic Dictionary, 9th edition, 1988). Synectics was created by William Gordon in 1950s. Synectics is an effort to improve the brainstorming method through insertion of analogies application rules and professional qualifications of the permanent members of the work group. Synectics uses 4 types of analogies: direct analogy, personal analogy (empathy), fantastic analogy, and symbolic analogy. |
| Synthesis of El-Field (Su-Field) Systems is El-field transformation of a system 'AS IS' to a system 'AS TO BE' through insertion of new elements and/or fields of interaction to the El-field structure for achievement of useful results and fulfilment of demands to the system. In case of an incomplete El-field structure of a system 'AS IS' (with one of elements missing and/or without a field of interaction), synthesis of the El-field system is achieved through its finishing to a complete El-field. Insertion of new elements and fields of interaction is possible thanks to use of resource elements and fields. Methods for synthesis and transformation of El-field systems are described in the standards for inventive problem solving, for example, in the 'Synthesis and decomposition of Su-field/El-field systems' section. |
| System (Ancient Greek σύστημα - 'whole made of parts; compound') is a set of interrelated elements, which forms a definite integrity/unity and has properties referred to the system, rather than to each element separately. As distinct from a set, elements of a system are interrelated, rather than simply merged by one or another attribute. Since a system is a set, systems have all properties and attributes of a set. I.e. a system can contain a subsystem (a subset), one system can be added or subtracted to/from another system, systems can be merged into a supersystem (a set of sets), an empty system (an empty set) can be considered, etc. In particular, since a set of all sets does not exist, a system of all systems (including all possible systems) cannot exist as well. System effect is a result of special reorganisation of system elements, when the whole becomes more than a simple sum of parts. Functional system is a system, which has some interrelated functions focused on fulfilment of supersystem demands. Technical system is a functional material system developed through abstract designing, as distinct from natural functional systems formed through biological evolution. Non-material system is a system consisting of non-material (informational, abstract) elements. Non-material systems are always associated with material carriers of these abstract systems. |
| System 'AS IS' is a system in initial state before its analysis and transformation to a new system 'AS TO BE'. The model of system 'AS IS' is formed from the system 'AS IS' using some models of TRIZ: component-structural and functional models, Su-fields or El-fields, description of contradictions or diagram of typical conflicts, etc. Depending on the selected model type, it is further transformed to a model of system 'AS TO BE'. |
| System 'AS TO BE' is a system obtained from a system 'AS IS' through its transformation, also based on a model of system 'AS TO BE'. The model of system 'AS TO BE' is formed from a model of system 'AS IS' using procedures, which correspond to the selected method of models transformation (functional, Su-field, El-field, resolution of contradictions of demands and attributes, etc.). The transition along the line of 'system AS IS - model of system AS IS - model of system AS TO BE - system AS TO BE' corresponds to the 'model of TRIZ' diagram. |
| System Analysis is a scientific method of perception representing a sequence of actions for establishing structural relations between variables or elements of the studied system. It is supported by a set of general scientific, experimental, natural-scientific, statistical, and mathematical methods. |
| System Approach is a direction of the scientific perception methodology based on consideration of an object as a system: integral set of interrelated elements, complex of interacting objects (L. von Bertalanffy), aggregate of entities and relationships. Main methods of the system approach: integrity, hierarchical pattern, structurisation, multiplicity (using multiple models during study of objects). |
| System Capture is a term of evolutionary systemology meaning a fundamental attribute of any system, which defines the whole process of the system formation from resources of the external environment and its evolution to increase efficiency of capture and preservation of resources, as well as to extend varieties of such capture forms. The system capture attribute defines a potential of the system evolutionary development. Systems without such attribute or possessing it to a lesser degree are captured as a resource by other systems. Evolutionary systemology distinguishes two groups of system capture types: group of negative system capture types and group of positive system capture types. Refer to: Type of System Capture. |
| System of Standards for Solving Inventive Problems and its editions is a complex tool of systems evolution and inventive problem solving comprising groups of standards for inventive problem solving, lines of systems evolution, and application of typical fields/substances. Main groups of standards: finishing of Su-fields, evolution of Su-fields, evolution of measurement Su-fields, standards on application of standards. The main system for Su-field standards is 'Standards-76' system using AIST-77. The main system for El-field standards is 'Standards-2010' system, which is designed both for material systems and for non-material (informational) systems, using AIST-2010. |
| System Ontogenesis is individual evolution of any system (material or non-material), generalisation of the ontogenesis concept in biology with regard to individual evolution of any systems. |
| System Operator Analysis (9 Windows Analysis) is a method for analysis of systems based on application of a system operator, designed for reformulation of initial problems, identification of system relations between objects and processes, search for available resources, and preparation of a forecast system. The system operator analysis includes methods for filling of screens and relations between them. It is associated with the laws of transition to supersystem and micro-level, component-structural and function analyses. Refer to: System Operator or Multi-Screen Talented Thinking Scheme, Axes of System Operator. |
| System Operator or Multi-Screen Talented Thinking Scheme is a tool for implementation of a system approach based on consideration of a system simultaneously on many screens: at system, supersystem and subsystem levels, as well as in past, present, and future. A system operator comprises screens of system operator, axes of system operator, considered system, and its images on screens of system operator. Number of screens in the system operator can be increased through transition from a system to an anti-system, consideration of related spaces and elements of the external environment for each of its main screens, and other methods for changing the considered system and detailing the system operator screens. The system operator can be built relative to the system ontogenesis or phylogenesis, it features variability of transitions between screens (screens of the system operator are formed in different ways depending on the path of transitions), and it is a tool for development of creative imagination and formation of inventive thinking. Refer to: Axes of System Operator, Screens of System Operator, Variability of System Transitions, Space System Operator. |
| System Phylogenesis is historical development (evolution) of any systems (material and non-material). The system phylogenesis is described by information models of evolution regularities and it is impossible without a sequence of system ontogenesis phases, evolution of which serves as a basis for phylogenesis formation. The system phylogenesis is generalisation of biological phylogenesis. Its appearance became possible only thanks to appearance of information systems able to exchange the accumulated experience of subject changes. |
| System Vacuum is a system comprising an empty set of elements. An empty system can be called 'system vacuum' as well. Since empty sets always contain descriptions of these sets, for example, 'many horses on the moon', 'flying lions', a system vacuum should also contain a description what is absent in this system: physical vacuum, chemical vacuum, biological, social, economical, technical, and other system vacuum types (empty systems). At that, an empty system always has its properties, for example, volume, coordinates in space and time, form. Refer to: Emptiness, Line of Emptiness Evolution. |
| Systems Evolution represents processes of continuous transitions from systems 'AS IS' to systems 'AS TO BE' according to developing sets of demands to any systems. Systems evolution can take place both at the ontogenesis level and at the phylogenesis level. Systems evolutionise according to the laws and lines of systems evolution and using TRIZ-tools focused on analysis and synthesis of systems. Systems evolution is a key concept and a main research subject in TRIZ and evolutionary systemology. |
| Tacit Parameters of Value represent fulfilled demands not explicitly expressed by consumers. For example, potential customers of BMW series 5 generally do not express a demand to normal battery service life, since a normally functioning battery is implied for any new vehicle. Therefore, extraordinarily quick self-discharge of batteries in series 5 cars resulted in bemusement of good many new owners of these cars. Refer to: Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis. |
| Target is a model image of a system 'AS TO BE' described as an information image and/or a system of demands and to be achieved by a subject through performance of a set of feedback-based action programs. Implementation of feedback-based action programs is based on performance of sets of functions (processes, flows) and correction of the action programs depending on approaching or achievement of a stated target. |
| Target Disadvantage is a term of cause-effect chains analysis meaning a disadvantage in the considered functional-and-targeted system, elimination of which is a project goal (a cause-effect chains analysis target). Refer to: Cause-Effect Chains Analysis (CECA). |
| Target Metric is a metric, which can be used to calculate achievement degree of a stated target during solution of inventive problems and elimination of problem situations. |
| Target of System Improvement is a direction for statement of problems for evolution of the considered system for its transition from a system 'AS IS' to a system 'AS TO BE'. The improvement direction can be characterised by certain physical or market parameters of the system or product. For selection of a product improvement target, MPV-analysis recommends using its main parameters of value. Refer to: Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis, Type of Solved Problem, Target. |
| Targeting Demands (Requirements). Refer to: Functional-and-Targeted Requirements (Demands). |
| Task of Change is a term of the standards for inventive problem solving meaning a problem, where something should be changed for formation of a system 'AS TO BE' and elimination of a problem situation as distinct from problems of measurement or detection: improve quality of functioning or increase production capacity, insert new functions. Refer to: Inventive Standard for Change. |
| Technical Contradiction (TC) is a contradiction of demands in technical system. |
| Technical Contradiction (TC). Refer to: Technical Contradiction (TC). |
| Technical Effect (in TRIZ) is a known and practically implemented technical solution, which can be applied not changing a system principle of action for solution of inventive problems under other conditions and for other systems. Technical effects assume use of achievements from various technical disciplines as resources for resolution of contradictions in a considered problem for implementation of an ideal final result. As distinct from natural-scientific effects, technical effects basically have a checked technical and technological incarnation allowing implementation of a necessary function. Data bases with descriptions of technical effects and their practical application can be formed for solution of problems. Refer to: Analogous Problem, Solution-Analogue. |
| Technical Function is a function focused on changing or measurement of material properties of its technical object. |
| Technical Parameter is a quantitative or qualitative parameter of a technical system characterising attributes of its internal constituents (functions, processes, flows, interrelations) and external interaction with the environment and supersystem. Refer to: Parameter. |
| Technical Problem is an original problem situation in a technical area. |
| Technical System is a material functional-and-targeted system with a principle of action developed or adopted through abstract designing and human thinking. As distinct from natural functional-and-targeted systems, formation of technical systems is not based on biological evolution. As distinct from technical systems, the culture is formed from non-material functional-and-targeted systems developed through human thinking, for example: science, religion, art, etc. Evolution of technical systems is a subject matter of TRIZ. Refer to: Functional-and-Targeted System, Culture. |
| Technological Process (Production Process) is a process, which is implemented by technical systems. |
| Template for Formulating Contradictions of Demands (Requirements). The following template is used to describe contradictions of demands (technical contradictions): Contradiction of demands 1: IF ... (indicate an introduced change), THEN (+ indicate improved demand 1), BUT (- indicate worsened demand 2). Contradiction of demands 2: IF ... (indicate an inverse change), THEN (+ indicate improved demand 2), BUT (- indicate worsened demand 1). Some computer programs are developed, where templates of contradictions of demands are used for formulation and resolution of such contradictions. |
| T-field is a Su-field with a thermal field of interaction. |
| Bank of Worthy Goals is a card file of formulated worthy goals, which would make a substantial contribution to the society evolution and solution of major civilisation challenges, if achieved. The foundations of this bank are given in the text of ZhSTL. The bank is much needed for TRIZ-training of schoolchildren, college students, and young engineers. It is a TRIZ-tool for goal achievement, rather than a goal in itself. Sources for formation of goals can be fantastic literature, severe social accidents and problems, evolution forecasts of the society and civilisation as a whole. Refer to: Worthy Goal, Maximum Upward Aspiration Concept, Life Strategy of Creative Personality (ZhSTL). |
| Theories in TRIZ is a set of theories created on TRIZ basis and for TRIZ development as a scientific discipline. Some theories were declared or formed as further TRIZ development, for example: theory of technical systems evolution, theory of creative individual development, general theory of powerful thinking, evolutionary systemology (evolutionology), theory of system capture, theory of inventive thinking, etc. There are known theories formed using TRIZ-tools, for example: theory of vegetation wind energy (G. Golovchenko), electromagnetic theory of inertia, electromagnetic theory of gravitation, theory of elementary charge (I. Misyuchenko). So, we can state that TRIZ as a scientific discipline associated with systems evolution encompasses a broad range of various theories. |
| Theory of Creative Individual Development was developed by G. Altshuller and I. Vertkin in 1980s. It includes analysis of main concepts of creative individual development, formulation of a life strategy of creative personality (ZhSTL) and an ideal creative strategy ('maximum upward aspiration'), as well as a set of practical materials (business games, problem books, card files) for education of qualities necessary for a creative personality. The theory of creative individual development comprises a developed ideal model of creative personality: a set of qualities of creative personality (QCP). |
| Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) is an area of expertise dealing with objective laws and trends of technical systems evolution, methods and tools for forecasting, detection, analysis, and resolution of contradictions in systems evolution. TRIZ is based on the dialectics laws, it uses evolutionary, system, functional, model, and other fundamental scientific approaches. TRIZ-model includes relations of inventive problem models with their solution models, as well as system models with their evolution models. TRIZ reveals regularities, defines methods for formation and development of inventive thinking, methods for development of creative imagination. TRIZ-methods and tools are applicable for solution of inventive problems both in technical and non-technical systems. TRIZ is used in practice for creative individual development, solution of inventive problems in various disciplines, in innovative entrepreneurship, during solution of problems at enterprises. TRIZ essentially differs from the trials and errors method and all its modifications. TRIZ assumes that technical systems evolutionise according to objective laws, which can be defined and used for conscious analysis (without exhaustive search in empty options) and solution of inventive problems. TRIZ transforms generation of new technical ideas to an exact science: the technology of inventive problem solving is based on a system of planned calculations and operations (instead of blind search). Main TRIZ-postulates: Technical systems evolutionise according to objective laws, which can be defined based on funds of inventions and technical systems evolution history. There are developed laws and lines of technical systems evolution, algorithms of inventive problem solving (ARIZ), principles and standards for inventive problem solving, and other sections of TRIZ. The key TRIZ-tools are technical and physical contradictions, ideal final result (IFR), TRIZ-model, and other sections of TRIZ. Approximately since 1990s, TRIZ-methods are used both in technical systems and in other human activity areas: business, information systems, art, etc. TRIZ became a theory only after G. Altshuller formulated the system of laws of technical systems evolution. |
| Theory of technical systems evolution (TTSE) is a TRIZ-based theory formed in 1980-1982 under TRIZ development. According to an offer of G. Altshuller, the TRIZ founder, the main difference of TTSE from TRIZ should consist in laws and tools allowing so 'correct' evolution of technical systems that contradictions have no time for formation. They should be predicted in advance and eliminated even before their appearance. There are no TTSE books or even simply fundamental papers yet and the theory idea remains undeveloped. Most likely, creation of the theory of systems evolution without occurrence of contradictions is simply contrary to the dialectics laws. Another substantial barrier for TTSE creation is significant dependency of technical systems on the social medium and culture as a whole. Technical systems are not independent, they depend on the society and civilisation as a whole. Possibly, TTSE will be formed in future as a theory of long-term designing of technical systems evolution. |
| Thermal Field of Interaction is a field of interaction, which provides interaction and interrelation of thermal properties of two and more elements. |
| Thinking is a higher mental function, which is performed during solution of any problem (urgent and without a ready solution) faced by a person, and a powerful motive induces the person to find a way. A thought occurs as a kind of inducement in the force field between the needs and capabilities. According to L. Vygotskiy, it does not appear from a word or another thought, and motivation plays a crucial role in its appearance. Thinking assumes the mental ability to fragment a studied event to parts and retrieve something from them, which can give a right conclusion. One of thinking features is orientation in new conditions through generalisation and analysis. |
| Tool (in TRIZ) is a function carrier or an element of a 'tool - product' conflicting pair, which is used to intentionally change parameters of a product as a result of one or another interaction. There is a rule, whereby change of a tool in a conflicting pair is more preferable than change of a product. Refer to: Product, Conflicting Pair (Components). |
| Tool of Creative Imagination Development is a mechanism (instruction, method, algorithm) of creative individual development, which describes mental operations focused on development of fantasy and imagination. Tools of creative individual development are formed on basis of fantasising methods, controlled imagination, and elimination of psychological inertia. Refer to: Creative Individual Development, Imagination, Fantasising, Fantasising Methods. |
| Transition to Macro-Level. Refer to: Macro-Level (Transition to Macro-Level). |
| Transition to Micro-Level. Refer to: Micro-Level. Transition to Micro-Level. |
| Transmission (in TRIZ) is a part of a machine model (energy source - engine - transmission - working unit - control unit) providing a function of transmitting mechanical movement from the machine engine to its working unit. Refer to: Complete Technical System. |
| Transport Function is a function with its action focused on changing of its object's position in space. Systems aspire to exclude presence of transport functions with mutually opposite directions. |
| Trends of System Evolution are stable directed or cyclical changes in system evolution processes, which can be expressed through stable changes in parameters of these systems. Trends of evolution can be more detailed descriptions of the laws of systems evolution. As distinct from the lines of systems evolution, trends do not contain internal contradictions of the considered evolution process in their description. |
| Trials and Errors Method is a method for evolution of a system through introduction of random changes to it or to a mental image of this system in hopes that such random change turns out to be useful. In common terms, this method is also called 'Hit and miss method'. We can distinguish three strategies to increase the efficiency of the trials and errors method: - Perform as many trials as possible; - Reduce impact from the inertia vector so that these trials are not performed only in one incorrect direction; - Pass on to targeted search in the ideal solution direction instead of random search. |
| Trimming (Convolution) is a tool for increase of systems ideality through removal of an element, several elements, or an element part from a system not losing its useful properties or improving them. Trimming is a part of the 'mono-bi-poly-trimming' line of evolution. Statement of problems for trimming is also performed during function-ideal modelling. |
| Trimming Condition. Refer to: Trimming Rules. |
| Trimming model is a functional model of system 'AS TO BE' obtained from a system 'AS IS' through trimming of some system components. |
| Trimming Rules represent a constituent part of the function-ideal modelling method, which allows increasing ideality of a system and/or eliminating undesirable functions and interrelations through exclusion of one or another system element. Trimming rules: Rule A: An element can be trimmed, if there is no function object. Rule B: An element can be trimmed, if a function object itself performs this function. Rule C: An element can be trimmed, if a function is performed by remaining elements of a technical system or by components of a supersystem. Refer to: Function-Ideal Modelling. |
| Trimming Task is a problem associated with an effort to remove an element or a group of elements from a system 'AS IS' in order to obtain a more effective system 'AS TO BE' keeping all its useful properties or improving them. Trimming tasks occur upon implementation of the 'mono-bi-poly-trimming' line of evolution and during function-ideal modelling of systems in TRIZ-FA (function analysis of systems). Refer to: Trimming Rules. |
| TRIZ-Analysis is a complex method for systems analysis with TRIZ-methods for detection and solution of problems in the considered system (a system 'AS IS'). A feature of TRIZ-analysis is that initial problems can be unformulated or incorrectly formulated at the study beginning. The TRIZ-analysis set includes methods for formation of system 'AS IS' models (function, Su-field, and other analysis types) and their transformation to system 'AS TO BE' models (methods of resolving contradictions, ARIZ, lines of evolution, etc.) for development of evolution concepts for the system. A feature of TRIZ-analysis is its complex, multi-aspect, and system approach to consideration of systems: technical, economical, managerial, social-psychological, taking into account system transitions and forecasting. TRIZ-analysis of complicated social-technical systems can distinguish their key contradictions based on dissonance of some properties (demands). For example: technical properties may be inconsistent with social-psychological or environmental properties; current properties may be dissonant with forecast properties, etc. As distinct from functional-cost analysis (FCA), TRIZ-analysis is primarily based on detected contradictions of demands from the topmost level of a complicated system (for example, holding, enterprise) to a certain area, equipment, or process, rather than on functions, components and their properties. TRIZ-analysis is also a tool for specification of some long-term social-technical forecasts. For example, a long-term forecast of a city evolution can be used in TRIZ-analysis of an enterprise taking into account this forecast. |
| TRIZ and Chess is a discipline of TRIZ theory and practice associated with solution of inventive problems in chess. In 1975, G. Altshuller wrote 'A chess grandmaster's strategy assumes formulation of IFR and its targeted achievement through a few options of moves, rather than chaotic exhaustive search for options'. In 2006, B. Feigelman and I. Feigelman practically used the conclusions of G. Altshuller in chess and during training of chess players. A chess game is similar to solution of an inventive problem: there are contradictions of demands and attributes, IFR, resources, principles, and algorithms, which restrict exhaustive search. For example, when one or another chess piece has more attacking, defending, and threatening functions simultaneously, then the player's position ideality is higher. |
| TRIZ-Certification is a public system of the professional TRIZ-community focused on voluntary examination of TRIZ-specialists to estimate their level of knowledge and skills in TRIZ according to the approved requirements and procedures. Organisers of TRIZ-certification are basically public and independent professional associations in TRIZ. At present, the certification system of International TRIZ Association and 'Icarus and Daedalus' certification system of TRIZ-Summit (an international public organisation) are most commonly used internationally. The highest level in both certification systems is Level 5 Diploma Certificate ('TRIZ Master'). The first diploma certificates of TRIZ masters signed by G. Altshuller were issued in 1998 to his most known apprentices, who showed the best strengths in application and development of TRIZ. Since 2006, diploma certificates of TRIZ masters are issued by public organisations based on a thesis paper presented by an applicant concerning his/her contribution to TRIZ development as a science and on a decision of the 'Expert Board of TRIZ Masters'. Level 4 of certification requires confirmation of a high level of practical TRIZ application in project activities. Level 3 of certification in the 'Icarus and Daedalus' system confirms skills of a specialist to forecast systems evolution with TRIZ methods, level 2 - skills to analyse systems with TRIZ methods for distinguishing of inventive problems, and level 1 - skills to solve inventive problems with TRIZ-methods. |
| TRIZ-Civilisation is a civilisation model, where TRIZ as a social tool of evolution is an important constituent of the state and science, a widespread area of human activities. The 'TRIZ-civilisation' term can be referred both to local civilisations and to the civilisphere as a whole. |
| TRIZ-Community (TRIZ-Social Movement) is a mass informal public group of TRIZ-specialists or interested people associated by an aspiration to study, apply, develop, and distribute TRIZ in various areas of human activities. TRIZ-social movement does not provide for formal membership, but it can also include members of public professional TRIZ-associations with formalised membership. TRIZ-social movement was formed by G. Altshuller, the founder of TRIZ, and his apprentices in the second half of the 20th century in the USSR and then widespread to all continents. Representatives of TRIZ-social movement are present in many dozens of countries all over the world. Public institutions and associations of TRIZ are formed and developed in various countries. The TRIZ Association (ATRIZ) was found in the USSR in 1989 and then transformed to the International TRIZ Association (MATRIZ) in 1997. In 2005, The International TRIZ Association Inc. (USA) was founded and an international public institution called 'Summit of TRIZ Developers' (TRIZ-Summit) was formed simultaneously. In 2022, an international public institution called 'MATRIZ Official' was founded. Refer to: TRIZ-Schools, History of TRIZ, TRIZ-Civilisation. |
| TRIZ in Art is a discipline of TRIZ associated with solution of inventive problems and forecasting of art objects evolution. There is experience of researches addressed to capabilities of TRIZ-methods application in art, collection of card files of inventions in art, regularities of art objects evolution, and identification of principles for creation of art objects. There are examples of possible use of TRIZ-tools in art: contradictions, IFR, inventive principles and fantasising techniques, dynamisation, and much more. There are also identified problem solving principles, regularities, and evolution lines, which are specific for artistic systems. Despite extensive efforts in this area, examples of practical TRIZ application for creation of relevant art objects and inventions are very difficult to find. A conceptual difference of artistic systems from technical systems is that a technical system is a functional-and-targeted system, while an artistic system is a self-organising system focused on creation of certain senses/feelings and formation of a value system. For more details on developments in this area, please refer to publications by Y. Murashkovskiy, R. Florescu, and A. Dyachenko. |
| TRIZ in Business is a discipline of TRIZ theory and practice associated with solution of inventive business problems and forecasting of business systems evolution. The most general issues of TRIZ application in business are considered in evolutionary systemology. Refer to: Business Problems, Evolutionary Systemology. |
| TRIZ in Industrial Companies is a discipline of TRIZ theory and practice associated with solution of inventive problems and forecasting of large industrial enterprises evolution. The key problem of TRIZ application at industrial enterprises is to obtain a real economical effect and reduce existing production/economical risks by developed and implemented solutions obtained using TRIZ. This TRIZ-discipline differs: a) from TRIZ as a tool of creative individual development, b) from TRIZ-consulting not becoming a subdivision of an industrial enterprise; c) from TRIZ-startups without a large production and management infrastructure as at industrial enterprises. Accounting of TRIZ-projects portfolios is recommended for effective management of project activities at an enterprise or a complex of enterprises. At that, TRIZ-specialists are trained at the enterprise to competencies necessary for one or another role: problem giver, project supervisor, TRIZ-project manager, project team member, methodologist, and mentor. Software packages supporting TRIZ-project activities are recommended to use for accelerated training of TRIZ-specialists, higher quality of TRIZ-projects, and application of unified methodological approaches to project activities. Refer to: TRIZ-Project, TRIZ-Based Software. |
| TRIZ in IT is a discipline of TRIZ theory and practice associated with solution of inventive problems and forecasting of information technologies evolution. This is an area dealing with functional-and-targeted systems and therefore many TRIZ-tools developed for technical systems are also applicable for IT. At that, this TRIZ application area has its features: material and non-material (information) objects, combination of processes and flows in IT. They should be considered in different aspects. For example, an operational zone of conflict in IT-problems extends beyond the physical space: this is a more complicated space structure of many parameters. IT-area has its principles for resolution of contradictions of demands and its lines of systems evolution. Researches in this area are performed based on card files of inventions and IT-systems evolution. Refer to: Operational Zone of Parameters of Conflict (OZPC). |
| TRIZ in Medicine is a discipline of TRIZ theory and practice associated with solution of inventive problems and forecasting of medical systems/technologies evolution. TRIZ can be applied (and actually applied) in all medical areas: treatment and therapy, prevention, diagnostics, researches, surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, pharmacology, and other medical areas. Solution of medical problems should take into account features of living organisms in medical systems. On the one hand, resolution of contradictions of demands should be subject to restrictions and minimum possible injury rate of living organisms. On the other hand, unique capabilities and resources of organisms should be used as much as possible for solution of problems and achievement of stated targets. Application of physical-chemical effects, dynamisation, and system approach, in particular, system operator turns out to be very productive in medicine: in diagnostics, treatment, and development of pharmaceuticals. Available experience of TRIZ application in medicine shows its high efficiency. For more details on TRIZ in medicine, please refer to papers by Dr. Boris Farber and V. Lekakh. |
| TRIZ in Science is a discipline of TRIZ theory and practice associated with solution of inventive problems and forecasting of scientific systems evolution. The first paper on a method for solution of problems in evolution of scientific theories was prepared by G. Altshuller in 1960: 'How discoveries are made. Thoughts on methods of scientific researches'. Altshuller distinguished two groups of discoveries: a) discoveries consisting in establishment of new phenomena (X-rays, superconductivity, etc.); b) discoveries consisting in establishment of regularities (explanation of photoeffect, creation of Darwin's theory of evolution. etc.). There are some known examples of targeted application of TRIZ-tools in scientific researches: in 1975, V. Mitrofanov offered explanation of Russell effect; in 1989, G. Golovchenko developed scientific models of wind energy use by trees; since 2004, I. Misyuchenko develops scientific models of substance inertia mechanism, gravitation, and some electrodynamic phenomena. TRIZ in science is considered in papers by G. Altshuller, V. Mitrofanov, Y. Murashkovskiy, B. Zlotin, I. Misyuchenko, and P. Amnuel. |
| TRIZ-Infrastructure at the Enterprise is a complex providing implementation of TRIZ-projects at an enterprise comprising: TRIZ-subdivisions and associated services, regulations and provisions concerning TRIZ and project activities, methodological and communication system, personnel TRIZ-qualification improvement system, TRIZ-activity target setting and management system. Activities of the TRIZ-infrastructure at the enterprise are focused on increasing the enterprise efficiency and its evolution. Refer to: TRIZ-Project. |
| TRIZ Knowledge Bank (information fund) is a collection of information items united by one or another theme with a system for retrieval of necessary information. Developed information funds have their own or adopted classifications for grouping and retrieval of information items. Information funds basically have their purpose and goal serving as a basis for fund creation, development, and functioning. TRIZ basically uses formed funds of materials designed for study of regularities in systems evolution, solution of inventive problems, and practical application. Refer to: Information Funds in TRIZ, External Information Funds, Summary of Case-Studies. |
| TRIZ-Pedagogics is a term, which usually means a part of TRIZ-social movement associating TRIZ-trainers involved in TRIZ-education for schoolchildren and pre-schoolers. Attempts to declare TRIZ-pedagogics as a pedagogical system face a low level of scientific and methodological developments in this direction and a low level of practical activities in this area often contradicting to the foundations of TRIZ / theory of creative individual development. Methods for activation of exhaustive search, methods for development of creativity, and other methods irrelevant or contradicting to TRIZ are often lectured to children in these activities under the guise of TRIZ. |
| TRIZ Postulates are general principles and provisions, which serve as a basis for formation of TRIZ as an objective science dealing with evolution of technical systems, in particular, and functional-and-targeted systems as a whole. Main TRIZ-postulates: 1) Technical and functional-and-targeted systems as a whole evolutionise according to objective laws, which can be defined based on various funds of inventions and systems evolution history; 2) The key laws of functional-and-targeted systems evolution are the law of striving for ideal system and law of evolution through forming and resolution of contradictions of demands; 3) The laws of technical systems evolution and practical application of TRIZ-tools can serve as a basis for training to inventive creation; 4) TRIZ allows formation of strong and effective inventive thinking. The main TRIZ postulates, laws, and tools are applicable both to technical systems and to any other functional-and-targeted systems. Refer to: Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). |
| TRIZ-Project is a project implemented with application of TRIZ-tools and methods in one or another phase. Mass adoption of TRIZ at industrial enterprises necessitates development of typical approaches to implementation of TRIZ-projects. Similar TRIZ-projects can be implemented finding analogues of already completed successful projects, using already accumulated experience, and forming methods for implementation of similar projects. Two groups of typical TRIZ-projects can be distinguished quite conditionally: production TRIZ-projects of operating enterprises and TRIZ-projects for creation and development of innovative products/technologies. Lifecycle of a production TRIZ-project includes: a) pre-project phase; b) conceptual phase; c) verification phase; d) implementation phase including analysis of implementation results. Typical directions of TRIZ-projects at enterprises are defined by types of solved problems. Refer to: Type of Solved Problem, TRIZ-Projects Portfolio. |
| TRIZ-Projects Portfolio is a set of TRIZ-projects of enterprises or subdivisions combined by unified indicators and structure of a TRIZ-project lifecycle. Properties of a TRIZ-projects portfolio can be number of TRIZ-projects under implementation and their distribution by lifecycle stages, expected economical effect from opened TRIZ-projects, estimation of planned and actual economical effects from projects under implementation, total actual economical effect from completed (implemented) TRIZ-projects for a certain period of time, etc. Refer to: TRIZ-Project. |
| TRIZ-Schools are public informal associations of TRIZ-specialists under guidance of one or another leader inspired by G. Altshuller at the initial development stage of the TRIZ-social movement in many cities of the USSR approximately from 1960s to 1990s. TRIZ-schools were mainly concerned with training, development of methodological materials, researches in TRIZ, holding of conferences, publishing of TRIZ-literature, and active distribution of TRIZ in various areas. For example: Baku TRIZ-school (headed by G. Altshuller), Leningrad TRIZ-school (V. Mitrofanov), Petrozavodsk TRIZ-school (A. Selyutskiy), Krasnoyarsk TRIZ-school (Y. Salamatov), Kishinev TRIZ-school (B. Zlotin) and other TRIZ-schools. In addition to TRIZ-schools, various public TRIZ-centres were also founded in the USSR, Poland, Bulgaria, East Germany, Vietnam, and other countries. TRIZ-schools and centres were supported by G. Altshuller, by his apprentices and followers. The TRIZ Association (ATRIZ) was found in the USSR in 1989, which included TRIZ-specialists from TRIZ-schools and centres from various cities of the USSR. The role of TRIZ-schools in development of TRIZ-social movement gradually declined and the initiative came over to various international TRIZ-institutions and business structures concerned with TRIZ on a professional basis. TRIZ-schools greatly influenced on TRIZ formation and development as a science and as a social movement. |
| TRIZ-Training is an area of TRIZ focused on formation of didactical materials of TRIZ, methodical development of training programs and application methods for any TRIZ-tools, holding of TRIZ-workshops/consultations/sessions for formation of students' skills, knowledge, and abilities in application of TRIZ for finding, ranking, and solution of inventive problems, for forecasting and formation of inventive thinking. Training programs are different from each other depending on: 1) training goal (introduction, overview, solution of inventive problems, analysis of systems and formulation of inventive problems, forecasting, implementation of a certain project, etc.); 2) age (schoolchildren, college students, adults); 3) specialisation (engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers, IT specialists, chief executive officers, medical workers, scientists, etc.). TRIZ-dedicated software packages are used for support of training processes with ever increasing frequency. Different levels of acquired TRIZ-knowledge and practical application skills correspond to different levels of TRIZ-certification. |
| TRIZ-Based Evolution Forecast. Types of Forecast. Forecasting with TRIZ-methods is referred to qualitative forecasting methods (non-numerical methods and not extrapolation of already known trends of some system parameters). Two groups of forecasting methods can be distinguished in TRIZ: - Methods based on detection and resolution of central contradictions, which are most important for evolution of a system. - Forecasting methods based on application of the laws (laws of technical systems evolution and laws of systems evolution) and lines of systems evolution. A system operator allows building sets of interrelated and harmonised qualitative forecasts. |
| TRIZ-Based Evolution of Civilisation Forecast is a result of long-term social-technical and social-cultural forecasting of the civilisation evolution using TRIZ-tools, which contains sets of reasonable worthy goals for a creative personality. Long-term social-technical forecasts are formed using the laws and lines of systems evolution, distinguishing and resolution of central (most important) contradictions of the civilisation, formation of a forecast set based on a system operator, etc. Examples of long-term TRIZ-forecasts: TRIZ-civilisation, natureless technical world, civilisphere, black box of civilization, vehicle-free city, water in houses without water piping, physical culture without professional sports, etc. Refer to: TRIZ-Based Evolution Forecast. Types of Forecast, TRIZ-Civilisation. |
| TRIZ-Based Software represents software packages supporting application of TRIZ-tools for solution of inventive problems, implementation of TRIZ-projects, and forecasting with TRIZ-methods. The first such product in Russian was created under the 'Inventing machine' project in Minsk (by V. Tsurikov et al.) in 1990s. Similar software products were created later, such as TechOptimizer, Innovation Workbench, Idea Generator, Pro/Innovator, Goldfire Innovator, etc. These products were designed only for high-level TRIZ-specialists. The 'Novator' project (by V. Glazunov) was developed approximately in the same years. It was mainly focused on a data base of effects and their application for solution of technical inventive problems. At present, all these software packages are scarcely applied in practice. The 'Compinno-TRIZ' software package was developed since 2011. It allows development and practical application of main TRIZ-methods during implementation of TRIZ-projects. The main feature of this project is that TRIZ-tools are not simply transferred to a computer program. Instead of this, TRIZ-methods are improved and developed to allow preparation of more formal tools adapted to algorithmisation requirements for solution of inventive problems. |
| TRIZ-Education is a system for education and training of a personality based on TRIZ / theory of creative individual development, as well as a set of acquired knowledge, abilities, skills, work experience, and competencies with regard to solution of inventive problems, systems evolution/forecasting, and value paradigms based on the theory of creative individual development. The main goal of TRIZ-education is formation of inventive thinking. The methodological base of TRIZ-education includes training programs, methodological and didactical materials, estimation methods, and TRIZ-contests for schoolchildren and college students. The following main categories of trainees can be distinguished in TRIZ-education: schoolchildren, college students, teachers, engineers, business leaders, IT-specialists, researchers, and scientists. Each of these categories has its features of training programs, methodological and didactical materials. A level of TRIZ-education can be estimated by a TRIZ-certification system. TRIZ-specialists are trained at an enterprise to competencies necessary for one or another role: problem giver, project supervisor, TRIZ-project manager, project team member, methodologist, and mentor. Refer to: Inventive Thinking, Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), Theory of Creative Individual Development, Value System, Estimation of Inventive Level of Thinking, TRIZ-Certification, TRIZ in Industrial Companies. |
| TRIZ-FA (Function Analysis of Systems) is a method for analysis of systems designed for building of a system function model and ranking of its functions. The primary and complementary functions have the highest rank followed by a lower rank of main functions and several lowest ranks of auxiliary functions. The farther a function from the primary function, the lower its rank and the less important its role in TRIZ-FA during analysis and statement of problems. In practice, even the most 'insignificant' function may turn out to be a key for functioning of the system as a whole. The foundations of TRIZ-FA were formulated in 1990-1991. |
| TRIZ-Summit is an international public professional association of TRIZ-specialists founded in 2005 in St. Petersburg and focused on TRIZ development as a science. TRIZ-Summit continues the traditions established by G. Altshuller in various public forms of TRIZ development as a science: - 'Public Laboratory of Inventive Creativity' (OLMI) founded in 1970 in Baku; - Series of scientific workshops on TRIZ development as a science in Petrozavodsk in 1980, 1982, 1985, and 1987. TRIZ-Summit holds annual research and practical TRIZ-conferences, as well as TRIZ-contests for schoolchildren and college students. TRIZ-Summit has an operating system for certification of TRIZ-specialists 'Icarus and Daedalus' (including certification of 'TRIZ Masters'), continuously develops the most complete TRIZ-glossary, and develops the 'Compinno-TRIZ' software package. Refer to: History of TRIZ, TRIZ-Community (TRIZ-Social Movement), TRIZ-Schools, TRIZ-Certification. |
| TRIZ-Tool (Instrument, Technique) is a mechanism (instruction, method, algorithm) of TRIZ, which describes mental operations for implementation of one or another phase in evolution of systems included to a model of TRIZ: analysis, synthesis, and estimation. A TRIZ-tool may be directly associated with a system change (for example: method, principle, standard, effect, line of evolution) or with auxiliary tools (for example, system analysis, problem statement, solution estimation, imagination development, etc.). Refer to: Model of TRIZ. |
| Type of Solved Problem is reference of an original problem situation to one or another classification section of problem types. These classifications can be based on various attributes, for example: consideration aspect (physical, chemical, biological, social-cultural, technical, financial-economical, etc.); problem scale in space (particular, narrow-local, regional, organisational, municipal, sectoral, national, worldwide); time (short-term, medium-term, long-term, global); pattern of improved parameters; etc. For example, production projects feature the following typical problems: - Resolve non-effective flows; - Increase production capacity; - Eliminate an object disadvantage; - Extend a market; - Create a new market; - Search for technologies. Types of solved problems serve as a basis to build various road maps of TRIZ-tools application during implementation of TRIZ-projects. Refer to: TRIZ-Project. |
| Type of System Capture is a term of evolutionary systemology meaning one or another generalised method for implementation of a system capture. Total 5 types of system capture can be distinguished, which are separated to two groups. First group of negative capture: 1. Capture with absorption or annexation of the captured object (exploitative, possessing personality type). 2. Capture through displacement (substitution) based on struggle for a limiting factor of evolution (accumulative, saving capture type). 3. Capture of decomposition (internal capture, system division to separate parts). Second group of positive capture: 4. Capture with exchange of resources between systems (symbiosis, market capture type). 5. Productive capture, synthesis of a new system from elements (active, rational, loving personality type). All system capture types in one or another form are present in any systems of any origin (physical, chemical, biological, social-cultural, technical, economical, political, psychological-ethical, etc.). At that, an evolutionising system can feature prevalence of one or another system capture type, which is typical for this system and its evolution phase. Refer to: System Capture, Evolutionary Systemology. |
| Refer to: Diagram of Typical Conflicts. |
| Typical Fields and Substances represent a list of fields and substances recommended for inventive problem solving and technical systems evolution. They are basically associated with one or another effect and already acknowledged to be successful, when used in technical systems. Lists of typical fields and substances are used as reference information where necessary to replace an X-element in system models or insert a substance in Su-field models. |
| Unregulated Flow is a flow, for which some demands require it to be minimum, while other demands require it to be maximum. Standard solution in TRIZ: Provide the minimum flow and increase it in the necessary places or time to maximum or, vice versa, create the maximum flow and decrease it in the necessary places or time to minimum. |
| Unregulated Relationship (Function) is a relationship (function), for which some demands require it to be with minimum interaction (function performance level), while other demands require it to be with maximum interaction (for example, care in relationships of parents and a child should be maximum for the child's safety and minimum for his/her self-dependence education) or maximum function performance (for example, fire in the ampoule sealing problem should be maximum for reliable ampoule sealing and minimum to exclude medicament overheating). |
| Useful Function of a system is a function, which is focused on fulfilment of one or another system demand (Demand 1). An useful function can be sufficient, insufficient, excessive, obligatory. At the same time, the useful function can be harmful as well, if there is another system demand (Demand 2), which is not fulfilled due to the considered function. |
| Useful Interrelation is an interrelation, which meets demands to a considered system. |
| Value is importance, significance, advantage, usefulness of something. Extrinsically, a value serves as an attribute of an object, an event, a system or its part. Significance and usefulness are its intrinsic features. However, they are not natural or simply given by the internal structure of the object itself. Instead, they are subjective estimates of certain attributes involved in the human social existence sphere. People are interested in or need them. A value level can be expressed in numerical indicators for components and useful functions, processes, flows. Refer to: Value and Expenses Analysis, Useful Function. |
| Value and Expenses Analysis of a system is a method for system analysis focused on statement and ranking of problems for improvement of the system based on comparison and detection of dissonances between expenses for one or another component/part of the system with the value level of this component/part within the purpose of the considered system. The system parts may be both components/subsystems and functions, operations, flow areas. Application of the value and expenses analysis requires preliminary component, function, flow, or process analysis of the system. Pairwise comparison method is one of available methods for value definition of the system parts. Expenses for a component, a function, an operation, or a flow area can be expressed in mutually comparable economical or physical parameters. Either time-spaced non-recurring expenses or their combination can be estimated. The higher the dissonance between the estimated value and expenses for the system part, the more urgent the problem statement for this part to decrease the expenses and/or increase the value. The value and expenses analysis is a generalised method relative to functional-cost analysis and a particular case of characteristics dissonance analysis. Refer to Functional-Cost Analysis (FCA), Characteristics Dissonance Analysis. |
| Value System is a complex of people's existing concepts (social attitudes) with regard to values of natural/social things and events in their life, which serves as a criterion for estimation and selection of a solution. Preference in the theory of creative individual development and TRIZ is given to a value system based on priorities of creative activities and statement/achievement of worthy goals, which are useful for the society and humankind as a whole. |
| Variability of System Transitions is a system operator attribute related to different results of transitions from one screen of the system operator to another depending on the selected transition path. For example, we get different former supersystems in the system operator depending on the path route from the central screen of the system operator: a) from the central screen to the supersystem and then to the supersystem history or b) from the central screen to the supersystem history and then to the supersystem in the past. Variability will be even more increased, if we also supplement these path routes with transitions from the system to the anti-system and back. Transitions from one screen of the system operator to another should keep uniformity of the considered object: these transitions should be made either only for system ontogenesis (evolution of a certain object), or only for system phylogenesis (historical evolution of one object class). |
| Voice of the Product is a process of detecting market parameters of products to set new targets for disruptive innovations in addition to those defined in the 'Voice of the Client' process. Some of the product parameters are demanded (by consumers), but other are latent and can be detected through the product 'interviewing' instead of the client 'interviewing'. The 'Voice of the Product' analysis is performed using a set of algorithmic tools, which allow defining latent parameters of value and help in estimation of demanded parameters of value. Latent parameters of value can be disclosed using three powerful analytical tools, which are algorithmic by their nature and study the product in different ways, while informing each other. In addition, it should be remembered as always understood that the 'Voice of the Client' analysis was or would be performed to get a full picture of the demand set. These tools include: function analysis, laws of technical systems evolution analysis, patent analysis (S. Litvin, 2013). Refer to: Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis. |
| Working Unit (in TRIZ) is a part of a machine model (energy source - engine - transmission - working unit - control unit) providing performance of the primary function and primary purpose of the machine as a whole for changing of a product exposed to the machine action. Refer to: Complete Technical System. |
| Worsening Parameter is a term applied in the Altshuller table to search for recommended principles of resolving contradictions, which means a typical property of a problem situation or a contradiction, which is worsened in the considered situation with a pre-selected improved parameter of a system. The Altshuller table gives 39 typical parameters (as in the list of improving parameters), which are located in the topmost row of the table. Refer to: Altshuller Matrix/Table (Contradiction Matrix) and its modifications, Improving Parameter. |
| Worthy Goal is a new (not achieved yet), substantial, and socially useful goal of a creative personality. Main properties of the worthy goal: novelty, specificity, significance, heterodoxy, independence from large teams and expensive equipment. Worthy goal is one of key terms in the theory of creative individual development. Three levels of worthy goals are distinguished according to the maximum upward aspiration concept: - Worthy Goal 1: narrow technical, narrow scientific, narrow artistic; - Worthy Goal 2: general technical, general scientific, general artistic; - Worthy Goal 3: social technical, social scientific, social artistic. Various phases in the life strategy of the creative personality assume transition from goals of the lower first level to worthy goals of the higher second and third levels. Refer to: Bank of Worthy Goals. |
| X-element is designation of an unknown/missing element in the considered system, insertion of which to the system is necessary to provide fulfilment of a demand to the system (for example, to change or stabilise its components, parameters, physical states, chemical composition, business process, etc.). An X-element designation is used during formulation of an incomplete El-field and during formulation of an ideal final result (IFR). |
| Life Strategy of Creative Personality (ZhSTL) is an idealised life model of a creative personality in form of a game between the creative personality and external circumstances. This is a core of the theory of creative individual development, where typical steps of the creative personality in form of a 'business game' or a 'chess game' between the creative personality and external circumstances are formulated based on the fund including hundreds of creative personality biographies. The first modification of ZhSTL was developed in 1985 and it included 4 main parts: Debut (formation of a personality and his/her worthy goal), middle game (formation of a team, implementation of solutions, founding of a school), end-game (formation of a social movement, formation of new worthy goals, new books), and post end-game (activities of the school and social movement, archives, new results). |
