Mulbury Six Sigma

Design for Six Sigma

TRIZ - Systematic and Innovative Problem Solving

TRIZ is the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, and is primarily based on the work of the Russian Genrich Altshuller. With over 50 years of input from a great many people, the entirety that makes TRIZ and the associated methodology ARIZ is a world exclusive study of practical innovation and problem solving.

Taken from millions of patents, the many tools and techniques of TRIZ centre around two major ideas. First that all innovation can be classified, and is described by Altshuller's 40 inventive principles. Second, that innovation fundamentally solves inherent or imposed conflicts. There are many other aspects of TRIZ, such as the aim of using idle resources to improve or solve problems, and the concept of the Ideal Final Result, many of which are unique to TRIZ and provide a great deal of valuable input to Six Sigma and DFSS projects.

However, it is the idea of the contradiction that has the greatest potential for Design, and for DFSS projects in particular. Most design is about the management of conflict, typically by trading off one or more opposing requirements or states. Today we typically use statistical methods and designed experiments, as well as methodologies such as IDOV or DMADV, to help us achieve the best possible compromise. Rather than deal with the conflict we optimise the pain!

TRIZ as both a tool and philosophy can radically alter this situation by encouraging us and empowering designers to deal head-on with the contradiction, and to introduce some form of innovation to solve the problem at it source.

If you are using some form of Design for Six Sigma approach, if you are designing and dealing with conflicts and contradictions, or if you are simply trying to be more inventive, then you almost certainly will benefit from the application of TRIZ to your situation. Quite simply, TRIZ is the only practical study on innovation and systematic problem solving, and one that includes all the tools and ideas necessary to enhance personal and team creativity through a systematic approach to innovation.

There are books on TRIZ, Six Sigma and Design for Six Sigma, but our work here specialises in the unique blending of these two powerful and systematic methods to bring out the best in both. Innovation and systematic problem solving for teams and businesses.

Mulbury Six Sigma
Innovation, Creativity and Design

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