COURSE OUTLINE COURSE: BUSMGT 7255 Inventive Problem Solving DATE/TIME: Maymester 2014 Mondays, Thursdays 6:00 pm – 9:15 pm COURSE DESCRIPTION: Every student planning a career in today’s marketplace will be someday be asked to attend a brainstorming session in which a group of employees will be tasked with finding a solution to a product or process problem. This course is designed to enable today’s students to bring to such a session a new series of tools and techniques called TRIZ (pronounced “trees”) also known as the Theory of Inventive Problem‐Solving. One of the foundational premises of this methodology is the theory that at the root of all inventive problems is a contradiction, in the form of either technical or physical opposing forces, which will need to be overcome for an inventive solution to be developed. The final course deliverable will be teams of two students presenting “What Would TRIZ Do?” Competition in the form of an Inventive Situation Worksheet and corresponding Solutions to an assembled panel of judges to evaluate their use of the tools and techniques of inventive problem‐
solving. COURSE OBJECTIVES: By the end of this course, you will: 1. Understand the Innovation Cycle “S” Curve and its relationship to Laws of Innovation Evolution. 2. Understand “the what and why” you should be aware of inventive problem‐solving techniques. 3. Understand the arch nemesis of TRIZ and its foundation in commonly held beliefs and behaviors. 4. Gain familiarity with viewing the world in terms of contradictions. 5. Understand the difference between technical and physical contradictions. 6. Solve physical contradictions using the 5 Separation Principles. 7. Learn the fundamentals of Contradiction Matrix Theory and its interactions. 8. Be able to apply one or more 40 Inventive Principles to develop a proposed inventive solution. 9. Identify available effects and resources in a potential inventive system. 10. Complete and present an Inventive Situation Worksheet and Solutions to a panel of judges. 1
Syllabus: Meeting
Topic
Monday, May 5 Introductions and Inventive Problem‐Solving Basic Concepts 
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Class Introductions and Overview TRIZ: The What and Why Should You Care as a Business Professional? The Arch Nemesis of TRIZ Becoming Dangerous: Understanding TRIZ Basics Techniques for Breaking Psychological Inertia Thursday, May 8 Understanding Problems in Terms of Contradictions 
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4 Types of Problems What is a Contradiction? Technical Contradictions Physical Contradictions  Introduction to the Inventive Situation Worksheet  Introduction to the 40 Inventive Principles
 Solving physical contradictions using one or more of the 5 Separation Principles
Monday, May 12 Using the Contradiction Matrix  Review of the 40 Inventive Principles  Contradiction Matrix Theory (CMT)  Original 39 x 39 Conflicting Parameters  Matrix 2003 48 x 48 Conflicting Parameters
Thursday, May 15 A Deshi Never Sleeps: Advanced TRIZ Concept Introduction 
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Effects and Resources Substance (Su‐) Field Analysis Skiing – A Perfect Example for TRIZ Mid‐Point Evaluation Monday, May 19 Getting Thrown Into the Deep End
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Advanced TRIZ Concept Introduction Mental Gym: “What Would TRIZ Do (WWTD)?” Preparation for the “What Would TRIZ Do (WWTD)?” Competition Thursday, May 22 Everyday TRIZ 
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Examples of TRIZ Around You, and You Don’t Even Know It Preparation for the “What Would TRIZ Do (WWTD)?” Competition Monday, May 26 “What Would TRIZ Do (WWTD)?” Competition Part 1
 Guest Judge Panel (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm) Thursday, May 29 “What Would TRIZ Do (WWTD)?” Competition Part 2  Guest Judge Panel (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm) 2
Grading and Evaluation: Attendance/Participation 20%
Weekly Assignments 30%
Mid‐Point Evaluation 15%
What Would TRIZ Do (WWTD)? 30%
Recommended Improvements
5%
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