Page 261 - Design for Six Sigma for Service (Six SIGMA Operational Methods)

230 Chapter Nine

2. Functionality: This is the fundamental building block of system
analysis; it builds models about how a system works and how it creates
benefits, harm, and costs.
3. Resource: Maximum utilization of resources is one of the keys to
achieving maximum ideality.
4. Contradictions: A contradiction is a common inhibitor for increasing
functionality; removing the contradiction usually greatly increases the
functionality and raises the system to a totally new performance level.
5. Evolution: The evolution trend of the development of technological
systems is highly predictable, and it can be used to guide further
development.
Based on these five key philosophical elements, TRIZ developed a system
of methods. The methods defined here are a complete problem definition
and solving process. It is a four-step process, consisting of (1) problem def-
inition, (2) problem classification and tool selection, (3) solution generation,
and (4) evaluation.

Problem Definition
This is a very important step in TRIZ. If you can accurately define the right
problem, then you have 90 percent of the solution. The problem definition
step includes the following tasks:
• Function analysis: This includes the function modeling of the system
and analysis. This is the most important task in the definition step.
TRIZ has highly developed tools for function modeling and analysis.
• Technological evolution analysis: This step looks into the relative
maturity in technology development of all subsystems and parts. If a
subsystem and/or part is technically too mature, it may reach its limit in
performance and thus become a bottleneck for the whole system.
• Ideal final result: The ideal final result is the virtual limit of a system
in TRIZ. It may never be achieved, but it provides us with an ultimate
dream and will help us to think “out of the box.”

Problem Classification and Tool Selection
TRIZ has a large array of tools for inventive problem solving; however, we
must select the right tool for the right problem. In TRIZ, we must first
classify the problem type and then select the tools accordingly.

Solution Generation
In this step, we apply TRIZ tools to generate solutions for the problem. Because
TRIZ has a rich array of tools, it is possible to generate many solutions.