methodatlas
Method guideInnovation

TRIZ

A practical method guide: clarify prerequisites and materials, understand the complete process, and look up outputs, pitfalls, and stop criteria.

ComplexityHigh
Time1-4 h
Participants2-8
FormatWorkshop + async
MaturityCanonical
Plan
01

Prerequisite

What needs to be finished first

Complete firstMeasurable conflict

Function and unwanted side effect can be observed or measured.

Translate vague dissatisfaction into a concrete system problem first.
02

Preparation

What needs to be ready before start

Materials

System sketch, conflict measurements, resource list and verified principles or contradiction reference.

People / roles

System experts, technical specialists, TRIZ-informed facilitator and test owner.

Pre-read

Describe system boundary, desired function, harmful effect and available resources using concrete data.

Time needed

60–120 minutes concept work; technical testing separately

Setup

Place system sketch and measurements beside the contradiction; visibly document the principle-selection route.

03

Core question

The one question this method answers

How can we improve one property without sacrificing the other required property?

04

Flow

Phases with goal, actions, output and pitfall

TRIZ abstracts a concrete technical problem as a contradiction and uses established solution principles to develop concepts. This introduction covers technical and physical contradictions; full TRIZ includes further analysis tools.

TRIZ· worksheet

Fictional example

TRIZ abstracts a concrete technical problem as a contradiction and uses established solution principles to develop concepts. This introduction covers technical and physical contradictions; full TRIZ includes further analysis tools.

System and function

Which system should perform which function under which conditions?

Fictional: a portable laptop stand should be rigid in use and compact in transit.

Contradiction

Which improvement worsens what, or which property needs opposite states?

Rigid joints provide stability but prevent folding. The same joint must be immobile in use and mobile in transit.

Selection route and principle

Which reference and principle follow from the contradiction, and how?

Physical contradiction: separation in time. Principle 15, Dynamicity: joints unlock for transit and lock in use. No matrix lookup is claimed.

Concept

How is the principle implemented using available resources?

Folding joint with positive locking; existing frame surfaces act as stops.

Test both sides

Which measurements test both requirements and possible side effects?

Test under 5 kg load, folded dimensions and repeated locking; results remain open.

All example details are fictional and illustrate the application.

MATRIZ: Contradictions

  1. 1

    System

    System

    Goal

    System model

    Inputs for this step

    • System data
    • Requirements

    Actions

    • Describe useful function, harmful effect and available system resources.
    • Bound the problem’s location, time and conditions.

    Output

    System model

    Is the conflict concretely observable?

    Quality check

    Is the conflict concretely observable?

    Pitfall

    A solution is already embedded in the problem. Name function and unwanted effect without prescribing a solution.

    Timing: 10–20 minutes

  2. 2

    Contradiction

    Contradiction

    Goal

    Contradiction model

    Inputs for this step

    • System model
    • Measures

    Actions

    • Technical: improving X worsens Y. Physical: one property must have opposite states.
    • Explicitly record the fitting type and conditions.

    Output

    Contradiction model

    Are both conflict sides and conditions clear?

    Quality check

    Are both conflict sides and conditions clear?

    Pitfall

    Two unrelated goals are labelled a contradiction. Show the mechanism linking improvement to deterioration.

    Timing: 10–20 minutes

  3. 3

    Principles

    Principles

    Goal

    Justified principles

    Inputs for this step

    • Contradiction
    • Principles reference

    Actions

    • Consult an appropriate matrix for technical parameters or separate physical opposites by time, place or condition.
    • Document selected principles and the selection route.

    Output

    Justified principles

    Is the selection justified and traceable?

    Quality check

    Is the selection justified and traceable?

    Pitfall

    An arbitrary idea receives a TRIZ label afterwards. Return from contradiction to principle and explain the translation.

    Timing: 10–20 minutes

  4. 4

    Concepts

    Concepts

    Goal

    Solution concepts

    Inputs for this step

    • Principles
    • Resources

    Actions

    • Sketch multiple concrete implementations using available resources.
    • Explain how each variant should preserve both requirements.

    Output

    Solution concepts

    Does the concept resolve rather than merely move the conflict?

    Quality check

    Does the concept resolve rather than merely move the conflict?

    Pitfall

    One requirement is silently weakened. Keep both requirements unchanged beside the concept.

    Timing: 20–30 minutes

  5. 5

    Verification

    Verification

    Goal

    Technical test brief

    Inputs for this step

    • Concepts
    • Test conditions

    Actions

    • Test concepts against both target properties and new side effects.
    • Leave unverified assumptions open and define the next technical test.

    Output

    Technical test brief

    Are both target properties demonstrably satisfied?

    Quality check

    Are both target properties demonstrably satisfied?

    Pitfall

    A vivid concept is treated as a working invention. Require prototype and measurement before approval.

    Timing: 15–30 minutes

05

Artifact

What comes out at the end

Sketch: what the artifact looks like

TRIZ · 40 Erfindungsprinzipien (Auszug)Einen Zielkonflikt abstrahieren, passende Erfindungsprinzipien auswählen und daraus konkrete Lösungskonzepte ableiten
TRIZDas Visual zeigt einen Widerspruch zwischen Verbesserung und Verschlechterung, abstrakte TRIZ-Prinzipien und daraus abgeleitete Lösungskonzepte.Widersprüche ohne faulen Kompromiss bearbeitenEin Zielkonflikt wird abstrahiert und mit Erfindungsprinzipien in konkrete Lösungsrichtungen übersetzt.ZielkonfliktabstrahierenPrinzip wählenkonkretisierenVerbessernmehr LeistungVerschlechtertmehr KomplexitätWiderspruchbeides soll gleichzeitiggeltenSegmentationin Teile zerlegenAsymmetrySymmetrie brechenInversionRichtung umkehrenLösungskonzeptPrinzip konkret übersetzenMachbarkeitWirkung und Nebenfolgen prüfen
Form

Contradiction model, justified principle selection and concrete concepts with tests for both target properties.

Versioning / ownership

Record date and scope; retain the previous version and reason when changing it.

Tool alternatives
  • Paper and system sketch
  • Verified principles reference
  • Technical prototype and measurement tools

triz-working-template.md

Describe system boundary, desired function, harmful effect and available resources using concrete data.

TRIZ: Worksheet

Question

To be confirmed

Desired outcome

To be confirmed

Scope

Complete cycle Time: 60–120 minutes concept work; technical testing separately

Complete this worksheet on paper or in your own document during the work.

Preparation for this scope

Method setup

  • Materials: System sketch, conflict measurements, resource list and verified principles or contradiction reference.
  • Roles: System experts, technical specialists, TRIZ-informed facilitator and test owner.
  • Advance information: Describe system boundary, desired function, harmful effect and available resources using concrete data.
  • Overall time needed: 60–120 minutes concept work; technical testing separately
  • Setup: Place system sketch and measurements beside the contradiction; visibly document the principle-selection route.

Prepare for the work steps

System: System

  • System data
  • Requirements

Contradiction: Contradiction

  • System model
  • Measures

Principles: Principles

  • Contradiction
  • Principles reference

Concepts: Concepts

  • Principles
  • Resources

Verification: Verification

  • Concepts
  • Test conditions

TRIZ· worksheet

System and function

Which system should perform which function under which conditions?

...

Contradiction

Which improvement worsens what, or which property needs opposite states?

...

Selection route and principle

Which reference and principle follow from the contradiction, and how?

...

Concept

How is the principle implemented using available resources?

...

Test both sides

Which measurements test both requirements and possible side effects?

...

Answer the prompts with your own information. Explicitly mark unknowns and assumptions.

MATRIZ: Contradictions

System: System

Expected artifact: System model

Is the conflict concretely observable?

Entry:

...

  • Is the conflict concretely observable?

Contradiction: Contradiction

Expected artifact: Contradiction model

Are both conflict sides and conditions clear?

Entry:

...

  • Are both conflict sides and conditions clear?

Principles: Principles

Expected artifact: Justified principles

Is the selection justified and traceable?

Entry:

...

  • Is the selection justified and traceable?

Concepts: Concepts

Expected artifact: Solution concepts

Does the concept resolve rather than merely move the conflict?

Entry:

...

  • Does the concept resolve rather than merely move the conflict?

Verification: Verification

Expected artifact: Technical test brief

Are both target properties demonstrably satisfied?

Entry:

...

  • Are both target properties demonstrably satisfied?

Open questions and next steps

...

Method guide: https://methodatlas.meierhoff-systems.de/en/methods/triz/run-sheet

06

Example output

Concrete filled scenario, fictional example

Fictional example for orientation. Counts and timings describe this case and are not universal requirements.

triz-beispiel.md

Concrete filled scenario, fictional example

Fictional example

System and function: Fictional: a portable laptop stand should be rigid in use and compact in transit.

Contradiction: Rigid joints provide stability but prevent folding. The same joint must be immobile in use and mobile in transit.

Selection route and principle: Physical contradiction: separation in time. Principle 15, Dynamicity: joints unlock for transit and lock in use. No matrix lookup is claimed.

Concept: Folding joint with positive locking; existing frame surfaces act as stops.

Test both sides: Test under 5 kg load, folded dimensions and repeated locking; results remain open.

07

Pitfalls

Recognize symptoms and steer against them

Quick overview, the full text is in the matching phase in the flow

  1. SystemA solution is already embedded in the problem.View in phase
  2. ContradictionTwo unrelated goals are labelled a contradiction.View in phase
  3. PrinciplesAn arbitrary idea receives a TRIZ label afterwards.View in phase
  4. ConceptsOne requirement is silently weakened.View in phase
  5. VerificationA vivid concept is treated as a working invention.View in phase
08

Stop criteria

When to pause, resolve prerequisites, or choose another approach

A principle is not evidence: test the concept against both requirements; do not claim a matrix result without documented parameters.

Where to go next?

Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis

Checks the new concepts for remaining failure modes and side effects.

Paper illustration of a decision table with criteria rows, weighted ratings, and a narrowly leading alternative.
Decision Making
Decision Matrix

Compares the verified concepts against both target properties.

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