Experiences of Teaching and Applying the Essence of TRIZ

with Easier USIT Procedure 　

TRIZCON2002The 4th Annual Meeting of

The Altshuller Institute for TRIZ Studies

St. Louis, Missouri, USA April 28-30, 2002

Toru NakagawaOsaka Gakuin University, Japan 　

Contents of the Talk

1. Introduction

2. Experiences of 3-Day USIT Training Seminars in Japan

3. Problem Definition Stage in USIT

4. Problem Analysis Stage in USIT

5. Solution Generation Stage in USIT

6. How to introduce TRIZ/USIT in industries

7. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Penetration of TRIZ into industries has been slower than expected.

Presentation of the huge system of knowledge and heuristics in TRIZ often overwhelms the learners.

Essence of TRIZ needs to be taught more clearly.

Thinking process for creative problem solving needs to be taught in a simpler way for real industrial applications.

In Japan, we taught and applied USIT (developed by Ed Sickafus at Ford) for these three years.

The experiences have shown that USIT works well as a simple yet powerful procedure for technological problem solving with the essence of TRIZ.

USIT (“Unified Structured Inventive Thinking”)

Developed by Ed Sickafus at Ford Motor Co. 1995- TRIZ SIT (Filkovsky, Israel) 1980s -

USIT (Sickafus) 1995 -

Nakagawa learned USIT in 1999 through the textbook and at Sickafus’ 3-day Training Seminar; and then conducted 3-day USIT Training Seminars in Japan 8 times so far.

Features of USIT:(1) The whole procedure of problem solving is well defined and guided.(2) Solution generation methods are much simplified.(3) Readily applicable to real industrial problems.(4) Does not use knowledge bases (except the ones in your head) and software tools.

Report with Multiple Solution Concepts　

Problem DefinitionDefine the Problem　

Solution Combination Method

Closed World Method (Analysis with

Objects-Attributes-Functions)

Particles Method　(Ideal Solution and

Desirable Actions and Properties)

ProblemAnalysis

　 Time/Space Characteristics Analysis

Attributes Dimensionality

Method

ObjectsPluralization

Method

FunctionDistribution

Method

SolutionGeneration

USIT (Unified Structured Inventive Thinking) Flow Chart Toru Nakagawa, Nov. 2001

SolutionGeneralization Method

2. Experiences of 3-Day USIT Training Seminars in Japan3-Day training of engineers who have interests in TRIZ/USIT.

Real problems brought-in by the participants were solved. Good for high motivation of the participants. Good for proving the power of the methodology.

3 (to 4) problems are selected by voting by the participants.

Confidentiality Agreement was signed especially in multi-company cases: The problem proposer (and his company) obtains an exclusive commercial rights for the results of the seminar for 6 months. Other members do not claim any reward for their contributions, if any, and do not disclose the technical contents of the seminar even in his company for 6 months. After 6 months, every party has the rights of disclosing and extending the seminar results. Wisdom adopted from Ooka Echizen-no-kami for solving the “TRIZ Case-Study Contradiction”

First morning: Introductory lectures on TRIZ and on USIT

2.5 Days: Group practice for solving problems with USIT Five sessions step-by-step with USIT procedure: Problem definition session Problem analysis sessions 1 and 2 Solution generation sessions 1 and 2

Each session contains: Lecture on the concrete way of the step (40-60 min.); Group practice in parallel (about 2 hr.); Presentation by the groups for discussion (20-30 min. for each group).

Each group of 3-5 members solves one problem all through.

Every participant solves one problem in a group and learns all other cases through the discussions.

All the problems have been solved successfully and obtained several to twenty conceptual solutions.

USIT Training Seminar Program (T. Nakagawa, Jan. 2000)

(L0) Orientation

(L1) Introduction to TRIZ

(D0) Selection of problems to solve

(L3) Problem definition

Problem definition(Ex 1) Practices

in groups

(D1) Presentations & discussions

(L4) Problem analysis(Closed-World Method)

Problem analysis 1(Ex 2) Practices

in groups

Solution generation 2(Ex 5) Practices

in groups

Solution generation 1(Ex 4) Practices

in groups

Problem analysis 2(Ex 3) Practices

in groups

(D3) Presentations &discussions

(D4) Presentations & discussions(D2) Presentations &

discussions

(D5) Presentations &discussions

(D6) General discussion

(L7) Introducing TRIZ/USIT into industries

(L6) Solution generation

(L5) Problem analysis(Particles Method)

1st Day 2nd Day 3rd Day

(L2) Introduction to USIT

3. Problem Definition Stage in USIT

Selection of problems at the USIT Training Seminar:

Participants explain their brought-in problems briefly, and then vote for problems to solve during the seminar.

Advised criteria: Significance of the problem (foreseeable merit/profit); Clearness in the problem definition (i.e., not vague, not open-ended); The proposer has sufficient technological background and enthusiasm for solving it. Apparent easiness is NOT necessary at all.

Practice groups are formed for the selected problems, on the basis of members’ desire shown in the votes.

The group makes Q&A and defines the problem: Problem Statement (in one or two lines); Sketch of the situation (for clarifying the mechanism); List of Objects (necessary to understand the problem); Plausible Root Causes (in brief statements).

Guidelines: Consider a hierarchical system of problems, and set your focus. Set a problem (i.e., a goal) as meaningful as possible. Consider the (physical) mechanism of the problem. Set your root causes at the level you can handle. Examine your plausible root causes by experiments (beforehand or afterwards). Should be prepared for shifting your focus, if appropriate. Set technical details and constraints aside, to get wider scope.

This stage is found critical, because it determines the whole direction of problem solving.

Problem statement ：　 Increase the volume expansion ratio in forming porous polymer sheet out of gas-disolved molten polymer

Sketch:

molten polymer

gas

disolved with high pressure

pull

porous polymer sheet

Volume expansion ratio　 Calculated maximum : x 10　 Current experimental : x 2-3

Root cause: Escape of the gas through the surface. No proper formation of bubble nuclei.

Objects: 　　 Porous polymer, molten polymer, gas, nozzle, “air”

USIT Case Study (2) Increase the foam ratio of polymer sheet 　　　　　　　 Mar. 12, 1999 Toru Nakagawa at the USIT Training Seminar

USIT process (1)

Example of the output of the Problem Definition Stage

4. Problem Analysis Stage in USIT

Closed World Method (Analysis with

Objects-Attributes-Functions)

Particles Method　(Ideal Solution and

Desirable Actions and Properties)

ProblemAnalysis

　 Time/Space Characteristics Analysis

Concepts of Objects-Attributes-Functions are the basis of USIT.

Closed World Method starts the analysis with the present system.

Particles Method starts with the ideal solution first.

Either one or both of them may be used. In our seminar, we use CW Method and then Particles Method.

Basic Concepts in USIT: Objects: Exist of themselves and occupy space.

Attributes: Characteristics of Objects (i.e. categories but not values).

Functions: Cause modification of Attributes of Objects

Examples and anti-examples (by Sickafus) Objects: A nail, an airplane, an electron, light (a photon), air, "information", ... Non-objects: A hole, force, heat, electric current, ... (because these do not exist of themselves) Attributes: Color, weight, shape, position, refractive index, ... (these are expressed in categories) Non-attributes: Red, 10 kg, square, ... (because these are values of Attributes) Functions: To accelerate, to give force, to change color, to contain, ...

Problem Analysis Methods in USIT

(1) Closed World Method Approach to analyze the present system first. Use the basic concepts of Objects, Attributes, and Functions.

(a) Construct a Closed-World Diagram Clarify the original intention of the designer. Reveal the functional relationships among the objects. Arrange the objects in the favorable relationships to the most important object.

(b) Construct Qualitative Change Graphs Reveal which attributes of objects are relevant to increasing/decreasing the unwanted effect of the problem. Ordinate: Effect of the problem Abscissa: Relevant attributes of objects in increasing/decreasing relationships.

Wall

Nail

String

Hook 1 Hook 2

Picture frame

hold

support not to swing

hold

hang

support the weight

hang

holdsupport the weight

support the weight

support the weight

A (Non-USIT) Example of Functional-Analysis Diagram

This (Non-USIT) diagram does not reveal anything about “tilting”!!

“Devise a picture hanging kit preventing from tilting”

USIT way of Functional-Analysis Diagram

Information of Non-tilted alignment

Picture frame

Two hooks Nail

String

Wall

generate

hold

align(a complex object)

(neighboring object)

(top object)

Closed World Diagram for Picture Hanging Kit Problem Sickafus (1997)

USIT Way of Functional-Analysis Diagram

Information of non-tilted alignment

Picture frame

Two hooks Nail

String

Wall

generate

hold

align(a complex object)

(neighboring object)

(top object)

+ Nakagawa

support the weight

support the weighthold the string

support the weight

holdnot to swing

Closed World Diagram for Picture Hanging Kit Problem Sickafus (1997)

Qualitative Change Graphs for Picture Hanging Kit Problem

Unwanted effect:

Objects and their attributes Objects and their attributes

frame: offset of the center of massframe: asymmetry in the shape

hooks: offset from symmetric position

wall: causing vibration

Wall/frame bottom: friction

nail/string: friction

hooks: location adjustment

(increasing relationship)

(decreasing relationship)

tilting of the frame

Green arrows shows the requirement of qualitative change.

Implication of the Closed-World Method

ASIT (by Horowitz) concentrates to find “inventive solutions” which satisfy these two conditions.

But USIT seeks for multiple solution concepts (inventive/non-inventive) quickly for real industrial problems, by analyzing the Object, Attributes, and Functions with the Closed World Method.

Engineering people agree to regard a solution as "inventive" if it satisfies the following two conditions:

Closed-World Restriction: (TRIZ: minimum introduction of Resources)

The solution does not introduce any new type of Objects. It may introduce Objects of the same type with modified properties. Qualitative Change Requirement: (TRIZ: solution of Technical Contradictions)

The increasing/decreasing relationship of an Attribute has changed qualitatively so as to eliminate the harmful/insufficient effects.

Horowitz et al. (1997) demonstrated by experiments:

Problem Analysis Method in USIT (2) Particles Method Smart Little People Method in TRIZ

Sketch: Problem state Sketch : Ideal solution state

Applying particles

ＸＸ

ＸＸ ＸＸＸＸＸ

Ｘ

no escape of gas

more bubbles, larger bubbles

Particles　 XXX　 were placed inside and outside the polymer, in and around the bubbles.

“Particles”: Magical substances/Fields having any desirable properties, being able to do any desirable actions

xx

x

Foam Polymer Sheet Problem

Specify desired actions and properties of the particles.

(PP’s make)　 Gas does not escape from surface and forms more, larger bubbles

　PP’s prevent gas from escaping

　PP’s make more bubbles

　PP’s make bubbles bigger

　PP’s block gas escaping

through surface

PP’s make more

bubble nuclei

　PP’s collect gas toward the bubbles

　PP’s push gas away

from surface

　PP’s squeeze gas from around

AND AND

OR OR

- container

- pressure

- electric field

- magnetic field

....

- temperature difference

- pressure difference

- distribution of the bubble nuclei

- composition difference,

.....

- seeds for bubble nuclei

- container surface

- additional interface

- reaction for forming bubble nuclei

- taking time

- ....

- absorption

- inter molecular force

- electrical field

- magnetic field

- taking time

- ....

- temperature difference

- pressure difference

- polymer’s crystal formation

- solubility

- ....

Actions

Properties

Particles Method (continued)

5. Solution Generation Stage in USIT

Report with Multiple Solution Concepts　

Solution Combination Method

Attributes Dimensionality

Method

ObjectsPluralization

Method

FunctionDistribution

Method

SolutionGeneration

SolutionGeneralization Method

Top three methods operate on Objects, Attributes, and Functions.

Bottom two methods operate on solutions (or solution elements).

Operate these methods repeatedly to obtain multiple solutions.

Solution Generation Methods in USIT

(1) Object Pluralization Method

“Pluralize the Object in the system.”

(a) Trim the Object ( => 0),

then find a solution with the simplified system.

(b) Multiply the Object (=> 2, 3, ... ),

then modify their properties and use together.

(c) Divide the Object (=> 1/2, 1/3, ... 1/),

then modify their properties and integrate them again.

Solution Generation Methods in USIT

(2) Attribute Dimensionality Method

“Change the dimensionality of Attributes of Objects in the system.”

(a) De-activate the (existing harmful) Attribute: do not use it, make it not involved.

(b) Activate a (new useful) Attribute : start to use it, get it involved.

(c) Vary the (problem-causing/preventing) Attribute in space: make it different in space, make it vary in space, ...

(d) Vary the (problem-causing/preventing) Attribute in time: make it different in time, make it vary in time, oscillate it in time, use resonance oscillation, ...

(e) Convert the space- and time-dependencies of the Attribute.

Solution Generation Methods in USIT

(3) Function Distribution Method

“Distribute (or re-arrange) the Functions among the Objects in the system (including newly introduced Objects).”

(a) Assign the Function to a different Object (either existing or newly introduced Object).

(b) Unify two Functions (supported by two Objects), then assign the unified Function to one of the Objects and eliminate the other Object if it becomes redundant.

(c) Divide the Function, then assign the divided Functions to multiple Objects separated either in space or in time.

(d) Introduce a new Function.

Solution Generation Methods in USIT

(4) Solution Combination Method

“Combine two (elements of) solutions to integrate into one heterogeneous solution.”

(a) Combine two solutions in a functional way, to enhance/extend/prevent one of the functions.

(b) Combine multiple solutions in time, to perform the solutions in sequence (one after the other), beforehand, afterwards, by turn, in the reverse order, etc.

(c) Combine multiple solutions in space, to perform the solutions independently at different places, side by side, in sequence in the space, on top of the other, inside of the other, etc.

(d) Combine multiple solutions in structure, to perform the solutions in different levels, under different conditions, etc.

(e) Combine multiple solutions in spirit, to perform the solutions in hybrid, in compromise, in background, etc.

Solution Generation Methods in USIT

(5) Solution Generalization Method

“Generalize the solution by use of plain, generic terms.”

Generalize the solution by replacing technical, specific terms with plain, generic terms. Enhance associative thinking by using generalization and specification, back and forth. Find a hierarchical system of solutions.

concretesolution

Generalizedsolution

NeighboringGeneralized solution

concretesolution

concretesolution

concretesolution

Sickafus’ Nail for a Picture Hanging Kit

This single solution can be generated in four ways in USIT.

(1) The Nail Object was divided into halves and then combined after modification. (<= Object Pluralization Method)

(2) The Smoothness Attribute of the Nail was made different in space on the nail. (<= Attribute Dimensionality Method)

(3) The Adjusting Function and the Holding Function of the Nail were separated and assigned to different parts of the Nail. (<= Function Distribution Method)

(4) The Nail surface must be smooth for adjusting and rough for stable holding; hence, the opposite requirements were separated in space and then combined. (<= Solution Combination Method; <= TRIZ Separation Principle)

Solution: Adjust the string at the smooth surface of the nail and then set the string at the rough surface of the nail.

Solutions Generated The Picture Hanging Kit ProblemQualitative Change Graph

Factors causing the problem

Increase the friction between nail

and string

a nail with rough and smooth

surfaces

“Sticky wall” magnet and

a ferromagnetic nail

large-area nail and magnet

Modify the shape of the hook

for adjustment

Damp the vibration from the wall

Increase the friction between wall and frame

Vibration from the wall

Friction between wall and frame

Friction between nail and string

Adjustable position of hook

Factors Suppressing the Problem

Hang the frame simply on a nail

(No string and no hooks)

Eliminate the offset of the center

of mass

position-adjustable hook in the 2-point

hanging system

Adjust the ditch position

with a bolt

Set a roller ball loosely on the nail

multiple of V-shaped ditches(like a saw blade)

Hang a no-defect frame simply on a nail

offset of the center of mass

of the frame

offset of the positions of the hooks

Automatically level the supports with a U-shaped tube

Attach a liquid level

Two hooks and one nail

Two nails and no string

Sickafus [+ Nakagawa]

Relations among solutions and problem-causing/preventing attributes

Practices of Solution Generation at the Training SeminarMorning session (of the 3rd day):

(1) Use the results of Particles Method and Space/Time Characteristics Analysis to find/list up solution concepts rather freely.

(2) Refer the results of Closed World Method and apply the Solution Generation Methods intently to every Object, Attribute and Function. --- Discussion --

Afternoon session:

(3) Apply the Solution Generation Methods more systematically.

(4) Generalize the solutions and consider the hierarchical scheme of solutions.

(5) About an hour later, evaluate roughly all the solutions obtained so far and select several important/promising solutions.

(6) Enhance the selected solutions and solve any subsequent problems.

In all the cases, several to twenty solution concepts were obtained.

6. How to Introduce TRIZ/USIT into Industries

USIT as Evaluated in Japan

(1) USIT is much easier to learn than TRIZ.(2) USIT is suitable for collaborative group work.(3) USIT is applicable to real industrial problems.(4) USIT is smooth and powerful to get multiple conceptual solutions.(5) Need to clarify good practices of using USIT and TRIZ software tools together. (6) Needs more case-study reports and examples to understand USIT better.

Combined Use of USIT and TRIZ Software Tools:

A. Solve the problem with USIT in a group work, then enhance/extend the solution ideas with TRIZ software.

B. Use USIT for solving problems in a group. Use TRIZ software for individual study and idea generation.

C. Use USIT for solving problems in group meetings. The group meet several times with 1-2 week intervals. Members use TRIZ software to enhance their ideas

during the intervals.

The experiences have shown that USIT works well as a simple yet powerful procedure for technological problem solving with the essence of TRIZ.

7. Concluding Remarks

(1) USIT (Unified Structured Inventive Thinking) is an easy yet powerful procedure for creative problem solving in the spirit of TRIZ.

(2) USIT has clear guidelines throughout the procedure of problem definition, analysis, and solution generation.

(3) Effective method of teaching and applying USIT is established in the form of 3-day training seminars.

(4) USIT has been found applicable to real industrial problems.

(5) Combined use of USIT and TRIZ Software tools is recommended.

(6) TRIZ/USIT should be promoted in industies with the “Slow-but-Steady Strategy”

instead of hurrying and forcing strategies.