Guided Brainstorming

• Focusing on particular key functions
• Applying TRIZ recommendations applicable to this function and its relationships
• Facilitated process via applying of set of structured inventive principles

We formulate Opportunities by using the concept of Ideality. Ideality is defined as the ratio of the useful functions in a system to the harmful functions. A purely or infinitely Ideal System would deliver all of the useful functions with no harmful functions. Cost is one harmful function in any real world system and the only way to get to zero cost is for the system itself not to physically exist. This is a theoretically Ideal System. Starting from the Ideal System, we form an Ideal Vision. The Ideal Vision is a real world system that moves us in the direction of the Ideal System. We identify opportunities to move the system in the direction of the Ideal Vision by defining useful functions and harmful functions. In many cases, a useful function produces a useful result but also produces a harmful effect. This is a contradiction. Engineers and designers generally compromise “around” contradictions, but if we can find a way to resolve a contradiction, it often results in a paradigm shift in system performance.

Finally we have a list of opportunities to consider:

• resolve contradictions
• counteract harmful functions
• improve useful functions

Inventive principles from TRIZ are combined with system resources to generate ideas to improve system performance in these three ways.

Figures below show the organization of inventive principles in Guided Innovation Toolkit™ software.

Every concept can be considered as combination of three things:

• Vision – How it is used?
• Functioning – How it operates?
• Resources – What does it take?

Using this concept Pretium develop a system of TRIZ inventive principles for a Guided Brainstorming session. Because the system of TRIZ inventive principles covers 95 inventive principles, the brainstorming session produces a nearly exhaustive set of ideas.

All Inventive Principles grouped in tree directions:

• Change Outcome (Vision)
• Change Functioning (Principle of operation)
• Mobilize Resources (New or latent resources)

Inventive Principles for Improving Useful Functions

Inventive Principles for Counteracting Harmful Functions

Inventive Principles for Resolving Contradictions