TRIZ Thinking

Overview

TRIZ (Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadatch) is a systematic innovation methodology developed by Genrich Altshuller from analyzing 200,000+ patents. It provides structured approaches to solve "impossible" problems by identifying and resolving contradictions rather than accepting trade-offs.

Core Principle: Behind every difficult problem lies a contradiction. Resolve the contradiction, solve the problem. Great innovations don't compromise—they transcend.

When to Use

• Facing "impossible" trade-offs (fast vs. accurate, secure vs. convenient)
• Stuck choosing between two conflicting requirements
• Need innovation beyond incremental improvement
• Design has hit fundamental constraints
• Competitors all accept the same trade-off you're facing
• Requirements seem mutually exclusive
• Breaking through performance plateaus

Decision flow: