The famous invention-creation theory TRIZ theory contains many systematic, scientific and operable creative thinking methods and invention problem analysis methods, such as multi-screen method, resource-time-cost (RTC) operator method, villain method and goldfish method. Multi-screen method can help us analyze the problem comprehensively and systematically from the dimensions of structure, time and causality, that is, this method not only studies the current situation of the problem, but also considers the related past, future, subsystem and supersystem. The rule of resource-time-cost (RTC) operator is to change the parameters of an object in terms of resources, time and cost in an exaggerated way, which helps us to imagine various possibilities, greatly expand our thinking and break through the mindset. Goldfish method can guide us to start from the ideal realm and find the problems in reality. In addition, TRIZ theory also includes the well-known material field analysis method. By constructing the material field model of the problem, we can clearly express the composition, interaction and action nature of the product, help us find and determine the problem to be solved quickly and accurately, and lay the foundation for solving the problem effectively in the future.
Through the simple application of goldfish method, let us know the application of creative problem analysis method in TRIZ theory in solving practical problems.
The flying magic carpet in Egyptian mythology has caused us countless reverie. Now we might as well analyze this flying magic carpet step by step.
Although there are blankets in real life, they can't fly, because of the gravity of the earth, blankets have weight, and blankets are heavier than air. So under what conditions can the blanket fly? We can exert upward force, or make the weight of the blanket less than the weight of air, or hope that gravity from the earth does not exist. If we analyze the blanket and its surrounding environment, we will find some available resources, such as neutrino flow in the air, airflow, earth's magnetic field, earth's gravity field, sunlight and so on. And the blanket itself also includes its fiber material, shape, quality and so on. Then we can use these resources to find some ways to make the blanket fly. For example, the interaction between the fibers of the blanket and neutrinos can make the blanket fly, and an engine providing reverse force is installed on the blanket. The blanket is suspended in a space without gravity from the earth due to the increase of pressure below (air cushion blanket), using the principle of magnetic levitation, or the blanket is lighter than air. Some of these methods are more realistic, but some still seem impossible. For example, even if a blanket is light, it is heavier than air. We can continue to analyze this point. For example, a blanket is heavy because its material is heavier than air. The solution is to use a material lighter than air to make a blanket, or the blanket is as big as dust particles in the air, and so on.
Through the above simple analysis process, we will find that the flying carpet in myths and legends is gradually coming to reality, from which we may get many interesting and even very useful ideas. This simple application shows the creative problem analysis principle of goldfish method: first, it separates the realistic part from the fantasy idea, and for the unrealistic part, it turns some ideas into reality by introducing other resources, and then it continues to analyze the unrealistic part until all of them become reality. Therefore, through this iterative method, practical solutions can often be brought to seemingly impossible problems.
It can be seen that these creative thinking methods in TRIZ theory can not only effectively break our mindset and expand our innovative thinking ability, but also provide scientific problem analysis methods to ensure that we can seek innovative solutions to problems in a reasonable way. CBT/NOVA, an innovation ability expansion platform launched by Yi Weixun (China) Technology Co., Ltd., has discussed these creative thinking methods in detail and successfully applied them to Pro/Innovator, another software product of the company. Through the guidance of this software, the system analysis of problems can be completed quickly, and the efficiency and quality of solving problems can be greatly improved.