TRIZ Glossary

TRIZ Glossary by Vladimir Petrov

Alphabet

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO

PQRSTUVWXYZ

A

1.Additional Function(seeType of Function):

  • A Useful Function that acts on a Component of the Super-system that is not a Target.

2.Administrative Contradiction (AC):

  • The contradiction between need and ability to satisfy it.

­It is known what to be done – but not how to do it.

­An inadequate parameter of the system should be improved.

­A certain defect should be avoided – but how to do it is unclear.

­The products manufactured are defective, but the reason is unknown.

3.Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving(seeARIZ)

4.Altshullers’s Matrix:

  • A problem solving tool that recommends Inventive Principles for solving Technical Contradictions.

5.Analogy:

  • Analogy (from Greek ἀναλογία, analogia, "proportion") is a cognitive process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject (the analogue or source) to another particular subject (the target).
  • One of Elementary Inventive Principles.

6.ARIZ:

  • A problem-solving tool that transforms a complex inventive situation into a well-defined model of the problem, which can be solved effectively using a wide spectrum of TRIZ tools.
  • A multi-step algorithm used for solving complex problems (exposing and resolving contradictions).
  • ARIZ is the Russian acronym for “Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving”.

7.Author of TRIZ:

  • Genrich Altshuller (1926-1998) – scientist, engineer and inventor.
  • Genrich Altov (pseudonym) – Science-fiction writer.

8.Auxiliary Function(seeType of Function):

  • A Useful Function that acts on a Component of the Analyzed Technical System.

B

9.Basic Function(seeType of Function):

  • A Useful Function that acts on a Component of the Super-system that is not a Target.

10.Basic Line of Problem Solving:

  • AC  TC  IKR  PC  S
    (AC – Administrative contradiction  TC – Technical contradictionIFR – Ideal Final Result PC – Physical contradiction S – Solution).

11.Brainstorming:

  • Process for generating creative ideas and solutions through intensive and freewheeling group discussion. Every participant is encouraged to think aloud and suggest as many ideas as possible, no matter seemingly how outlandish or bizarre. Analysis, discussion, or criticism of the aired ideas is allowed only when the brainstorming session is over and evaluation session begins.

12.Bottleneck:

  • A place in the flow channel where the resistance to flow is significantly increased.
  • A Bottleneck is a typical disadvantage identified by Flow Analysis.

C

13.Cause Disadvantage:

  • A Disadvantage in the Cause-Effect Chain that is a direct cause of a given Disadvantage.

14.Cause-Effect Chain:

  • A graphical model of the Analyzed Technical System that reflects the inter-dependence of its Disadvantages.

15.Chain of Contradictions:

  • AC  TC  PC (Administrative ContradictionTechnical ContradictionPhysical Contradiction).

16.Clone Problems:

  • Different problems that have similar Physical Contradictions.

17.Competing Technical Systems:

  • Technical Systems with similar Main Functions.

18.Completeness and Redundancy Law:

  • Completeness Law.
  • Redundancy Law.
  • Both of System Organization Laws.

19.Completeness Law:

  • A necessary condition for the fundamental operability of a system is to provide its mission and availability of workable basic system parts.
  • The main parts of the system are:

–Working unit,

–Substance, energy and information source,

–Converter,

–Control system,

–Connections:

  • internal connection,
  • external connection.
  • One of System Organization Laws.

20.Component (Sub-system):

  • A Object (substance, field or substance-field combination) that constitutes a part of the Technical System or Super-system.

21.Component Analysis:

  • The step in System-Oriented Analysis that identifies Components of the analyzed Technical System and its Super-system.

22.Component Cost:

  • The monetary cost of the Component. Cost can be relative or absolute.

23.Component Functionality:

  • The measure of a component’s contribution to the overall performance of the system.

24.Component Model:

  • The set of Components belonging to the Analyzed Technical System and its Super-system. The Component Model can be built in graphical form or as a table.

25.Conflict Components (see alsoConflicting Pair):

  • Components that require an improvement in the interaction between them according to the formulation of the Mini-Problem.

26.Conflicting Pair:

  • A conflicting pair consists of two elements, which are in conflict resulting in an Undesirable Effect (UE).
  • In an inventive situation, there are usually several (at least one) conflicting pairs.
  • Choosing one pair corresponds to transition from an inventive situation to a problem.
  • Elements of a conflicting pair:

–Product – Object,

–Tool – Subject.

27.Concepts of Contradictions(seeKey Concepts of Contradictions, Contradiction)

28.Contradiction(see alsoTypes of Contradictions,Key Concepts of Contradictions):

  • Contradiction is improvement of some parameters or parts at the expense of others.

29.Controllability and Dynamics Degree Increase Law:

  • Any system in its development aims to be more controlled and dynamic.
  • One of the System Evolution Laws.

30.Controllability Degree Increase Law:

  • Any system in its development aims to be more controlled.
  • One of the System Evolution Laws.

31.Coordination – Mismatch Law:

  • Any system in its development aims to be more coordinated or mismatched.
  • One of the System Evolution Laws.

32.Coordination Law:

  • Any system in its development aims to be more coordinated.
  • One of the System Evolution Laws.

33.Corrective Function(seeType of Function):

  • A Useful Function directed towards a Defect.A Corrective Function is identified by Flow Analysis.
34.Cost Analysis:
  • A step in System-Oriented Analysis that identifies the absolute and relative costs of Componentsthat constitute the Analyzed Technical System.

35.Creative Imagination(see alsoInventive Thinking):

  • Creative Imagination is the creation of the image, things or signs unparalleled.
  • Creative Imagination is an integral aspect of technical, artistic and other creative work.
  • One kind of Inventive Thinking.

D

36.Delay Zone:

  • A location in a flow in which the integral flow speed is significantly lower than local flow speed. A Delay Zone is a typical disadvantage identified by Flow Analysis.

37.Degrees of Ideality:

  • The ideal system: emerges in the proper place at the proper moment to perform the function.
  • Self-fulfillment. The ideal system should be able to perform all the processes (actions) on its own, without human intervention.
  • A more ideal system should not exist, and its function should be carried out
  • The most ideal system: the function is no longer needed.

38.Diagnostic Analysis:

  • Diagnostic Analysis is the stage ofSystem-Oriented Analysis where a Diagnostic Model of the Analyzed Technical System is built.
  • The Diagnostic Model describes types of functions and costs of the System and Super-system Elements.
  • The Diagnostic Model identifies the system’s shortcomings.

39.Diagnostic Model(see alsoSystem-Oriented Analysis):

  • Structural model of the Technical System, describing all types of functions.

40.Dialectical Laws:

  • Unity and Conflict of Opposites Law.
  • Transformation of Quantity into Quality Law.
  • Negation of the Negation Law.

41.DTC Operator. Dimensions-Time-Cost Operator (see alsoParametrical Operator):

  • The purpose of DTC (Dimensions-Time-Cost) operator is to break breaking the psychological stereotypes regarding the object to be improved.
  • The Rules of DTC operator. Imagine changing Dimensions, Working Time or Cost of the object. Can the problem be solved now? If so, how?

42.Dynamics Degree Increase Law:

  • Any System in its development aims to be more dynamic.
  • One of the System Evolution Laws.

E

43.Effect (seeScientific Effect)

44.Effect Disadvantage:

  • Disadvantage in the Cause-Effect Chain that is directly caused by a given Disadvantage.

45.Elementary Inventive Principles:

  • Analogy,
  • Inversion,
  • Empathy,
  • Imagination.

46.Empathy:

  • Empathy)from Greek εμπάθεια( is commonly defined as one's ability to recognize, perceive, and directly feel the emotion of another
  • Often characterized as the ability to "put oneself into another's shoes", or experiencing the outlook or emotions of another being within oneself, a sort of emotional resonance
  • One of Elementary Inventive Principles.

47.Energy Source:

  • The part of a Technical System or its Super-system that generates energy to operate the system. For example, the engine in an automobile.

48.Evolutionary Thinking(see alsoInventive Thinking):

  • Evolutionary thinking is thinking through the identification and use of laws, patterns and trends.
  • One kind of Inventive Thinking.

49.Excessive Function(seeType of Function):

  • Excessive is something that’s good but too much, for example heats excessively.

50.ExpansionFunctionsPattern:

  • Expansion Function is:

­by giving necessary and desirable functions to a system;

­by identifying and using new functions to existing systems.

F

51.Fantasy:

  • Fantasy (Greek φαντασία — "Imagination") is a situation represented by an individual or group that does not correspond to reality, but expressed their desire.
  • Fantasy is a necessary component of human creativity.

52.Field:

  • An entity without rest mass that transmits interaction between Substances. Examples include magnetic, electric, thermal, and acoustic fields.

53.Flow:

  • A movement of Substance, energy (Field), and information within a Technical System.

54.Flow Analysis:

  • An analytical tool that identifies Disadvantages in flows of energy, Substances, and information in a Technical System.
  • One of the stages of System-OrientedAnalysis.

55.Flow Conduction Law:

  • A necessary condition for the fundamental operability of a System is to passage flows of substance, energy and information to the desired systems element.
  • One of System Organization Laws.

56.Flow Disadvantage:

  • A Disadvantage of the Analyzed Technical System identified during Flow Analysis. These Disadvantages include, for example, “Bottlenecks”, “Gray Zones”, “Stagnant Zones”, etc.

57.Flow Partition Analysis:

  • A part of Flow Analysis that identifies allocation of flows.

58.Function:

  • An action performed by one Object (Function Carrier) to change or maintain a parameter of another Object (Object of Function).

59.Function Analysis:

  • An analytical tool that identifies Functions, their characteristics, and the Cost of System and Super-system Components.
  • One of the stages of System-Oriented Analysis.

60.Function Carrier:

  • A Object performing a Function.

61.Function Category:

  • A characteristic of a function that describes its usefulness. A function can be Useful, Harmful, or Neutral.

62.Function Coordination Law:

  • Function Coordination can be performed:

­in time;

­in space;

­by conditions.

  • In particular, can be a dynamic coordination.
  • One of the Function Changes Laws.

63.Function Changes Laws:

  • Function Idealization Law.
  • Function Dynamic Law.
  • Function Transition to Mono- functionality Law.
  • Function Transition to Poly-functionality Law.
  • Function Coordination Law.

64.Function Disadvantage:

  • A Disadvantage of the Analyzed Technical System identified during Function Modeling. These Disadvantages include Harmful Functions, as well as inadequately (i.e., excessively or insufficiently) performed Useful Functions.

65.Function DynamicLaw:

  • Function Dynamic lawprovides for a changeof functionsin time and space, depending on certain conditions.
  • Functionsadaptedfor specificneed, specific conditions, a group of people,a particular person, activities, etc. Function changesat the time, the place andformin whichit is necessary ina particular case.
  • One of the Function Changes Laws.

66.Function Idealization Law(see also Ideal Function Properties):

  • Functions IdealizationLaw would increasethe quantity and qualityfunctions and reducingthe time and costto their satisfaction.
  • One of the Function Changes Laws.

67.Function Model:

  • A model of the Technical System that identifies and describes the Functions performed by the Components of the System and its Super-system. Functions are characterized by category (Useful or Harmful), quality of performance (Insufficient, Normal and Excessive), cost level (Insignificant, Acceptable and Unacceptable) and cost of corresponding Components.

68.Function Modeling:

  • A part of System-Oriented Analysis that builds a Function Model.

69.Function Transition to Mono-functionality Law:

  • Function Transition to Mono-functionality Lawis through the mechanism of Trimming function.
  • One of the Function Changes Laws.

70.Function Transition to Poly-functionality Law:

  • Function Transition to Poly-functionality Law is through the mechanism of expansion function.
  • One of the Function Changes Laws.

71.Functions of TRIZ (seeKey Functions of TRIZ)

72.Function Redistribution:

  • Redistribution of Useful Functions of a trimmed Element to other Elements of the Analyzed Technical System, or its Super-system, done as a part of Trimming.

G

73.General laws:

  • Needs Development Laws.
  • Function Changes Laws.

74.Gray Zone:

  • A location in a flow whose parameters are difficult to predict.
  • A Gray Zone is a typical disadvantage identified by Flow Analysis.

75.Functionality:

  • A measure of a Component’s contribution to the overall performance of the System. Functionality depends on: the number of Useful Functions a Component performs, importance of these Functions, and how well these Functions are performed

H

76.Harmful Flow:

  • A flow whose Object (Substance, Energy, or Information) performs a Harmful Function.

77.Harmful Function(seeType of Function):

  • A Function that worsens the Parameters of its Object.
  • Harmful is something you would like to eliminate.

78.Hierarchy of Functions:

  • Main Function.
  • Basic Function.
  • Auxiliary Function.

79.Hierarchy of Systems:

  • Environment,
  • Super-system,
  • System,
  • Sub-system.

I

80.Ideality Degree Increase Law:

  • Any System in its development aims to be the ideal.
  • One of the System Evolution Laws.

81.Ideal Final Result – IFR(see alsoMain Properties of IFR,Using IFR):

  • A model of the best solution to an inventive problem, whereby the problem is fully eliminated with minimal changes to the System and without any deterioration of System parameters (used in ARIZ).

82.IdealFunction Properties (see also Function Idealization Law):

  • Ideal function has to operate, at the right time, in the correct place and moment in the necessary conditions
  • The closer the function is to the ideal, the better it is performed (quality and quantity)
  • The more ideal the function is, the less effort (time, forces and means for realization) is needed
  • The more ideal the function is, the less negative effects and harmful factors are produced
  • An ideal function is not needed
  • An ideal function performed by itself

83.Ideal Technical System:

  • A System that has an infinite Value. For example, it may have no Components or associated Costs, but still deliver the intended Functionality.

84.Idealization(see also Ideality Degree Increase Law)

  • The process of making the system more ideal.

85.Insufficient Function(see alsoType of Function):

  • Insufficient is useful but not enough.

86.Intermediate Disadvantage:

  • A Disadvantage in the Cause-Effect Chain that is not a Target or a Key Disadvantage.

87.Interaction Analysis (see alsoStructure Analysis):

  • A stage of System-Oriented Analysis that identifies interactions between the Components included in a Component Model.

88.Interaction Matrix:

  • A table that identifies interactions between Components of an Analyzed Technical System and its Super-system.

89.Inventive Principles (Principles):

  • A problem-solving tool that provides generalized recommendations for modifying a system to solve a problem formulated as a Technical or Physical Contradiction (an Inventive Principle is an abstract model of the solution to the problem).
  • Element of the Knowledge Base.

90.Inventive Problem:

  • Inventive problem is a problem containing a contradiction.

91.Inventive Situation:

  • An Inventive Situation is an indistinct description of a system or situation indicating the deficiencies.
  • One inventive situation usually contains several different inventive problems.
  • These may be maxi-problems or mini-problems.

92.Innovative Situation Questionnaire –ISQ (see Questionnaire):

  • Tool for problem formulation.

93.Inventive Thinking:

  • It is a set of different types of thinking, allowing to think more creatively – Inventively (?).
  • Types of inventive thinking:

–Systems Thinking.

–Evolutionary Thinking.

–Thinking through identifying and resolving contradictions.

–Resources Thinking.

–Modeling.

–Creative Imagination.

94.Inversion:

  • Inversion (from Lat. Inversio - turning, moving) is turning point, carry out something conversely
  • Typical expressions:

­turn "head over heels";

­turn inside out;

­to turn upside down;

­reverse the normal order (swap around);

­replacing the "white", "black."

  • One of Elementary Inventive Principles.

95.Imagination:

  • Imagination is the ability to form new images and sensations that are not perceived through sight, hearing, or other senses.
  • Imagination is connected with the desire to receive what you wish.
  • Reflection of some fantastic solutions where unreal things or supernatural processes are used
  • One of Elementary Inventive Principles.

K

96.Key Concepts of Contradictions(see alsoContradictions):

  • Technical systems were and are being created to satisfy certain human needs.
  • Human needs grow much faster than the ability to satisfy them.
  • The contradiction between growing needs and insufficient ability to satisfy them is the main trigger of technical development.
  • Designing novel techniques implies improvement of the system’s technical parameters.
  • Complex inventive problems include contradictions, where improvement of certain parameters of the system worsens other parameters excessively.

97.Key Disadvantage:

  • A disadvantage to be eliminated to achieve the project goal. Usually, Key Disadvantages appear at the root of a Cause-Effect Chain.

98.Key Functions of TRIZ(Functions of TRIZ):

  • Reach Inventive Solutions – through systematic way of thinking (avoiding trials and error).
  • Predict System Evolution.
  • Develop anInventive Thinking.

99.Key Problem:

  • A problem to be solved in order to achieve project goals within the specified constraints.

100.Knowledge Base:

  • A database of:

–Standards.

–Scientific Effects.

–Inventive Principles.

–Resources.

L

101.Laws (seeSystem Development Laws,Technical System Development Laws):

102.Levels of Solutions:

  • Altshuller divided all solutions into 5 levels. The first level is the lowest level solutions. The fifth level is the highest level of solutions.
  • Levels considered in accordance with the process of obtaining solutions:

–Choosing the problem,

–Choosing search concept,

–Gathering data,

–Searching for idea,

–Idea found,

–Practical implementation.

  • Level 1 – 10 trials – Conventional Solution. Using a finished object without or almost without selection.
  • Level 2 – 100 trials – Improvement. Choice of one object from several.
  • Level 3 – 1,000 trials – Invention inside paradigm. The partial modification of the selected object.
  • Level 4 – 10,000 trials – Invention outside paradigm. Creating a new object (or complete change of source).
  • Level 5 – ≥ 1,000,000 trials – Discovery / Pioneering Invention. Creating a new set of objects.

103.Logic of ARIZ:

–AC: A

–TC: A – Anti-B

–IFR: A,B

–PC: p  B, anti-p A

–PC1: p1 p, anti-p1 anti-p,

… … …

–PCn: pn pn - 1, anti-pn anti-pn - 1,