Using Collaborative Technology for TRIZ Innovation Methodology

TRIZ (The Russian acronym for the theory of inventive problem solving) is a unique knowledge-based technology for generating new concepts. TRIZ was originally created based on innovation patterns and principles identified according to the analysis of the evolution of successful products. It provides ways to overcome psychological barriers in product inventions and suggests a generic process for finding innovative ways to improve a product design. TRIZ involves a systematic analysis of a problem to be solved and the application of a series of guidelines for the generation of solution alternatives. TeamSpirit is a Web-based group decision support system based on group problem solving process. It is designed to support creative problem solving and to encourage group participation in idea generation, idea consolidation, and idea evaluation. We proposed an improved product innovation framework based on TRIZ that is augmented by collaborative technology. Examples are provided to illustrate the implementation of the proposed framework.