Inventive Problem Solving: TRIZ Talks
Caprovine Voerkraal
Introduction to TRIZ: The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving TRIZ (pronounced "trees") is a Russian acronym for Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadach, which translates to "Theory of Inventive Problem Solving." Developed in the mid-20th century by Soviet engineer and inventor Genrich Altshuller, TRIZ is a systematic methodology designed to foster innovation and solve complex problems by drawing on patterns of invention observed across thousands of patents and technological advancements. Altshuller and his team analyzed over 40,000 patents to identify recurring principles that lead to breakthroughs, aiming to make invention a science rather than an art reliant on trial-and-error. Today, TRIZ is widely used in engineering, product design, business, and even non-technical fields like management and education to overcome contradictions and generate creative solutions efficiently. Core Principles of TRIZ At its heart, TRIZ is built on the idea that inventive problems arise from contradi