Three Steps for Solving an Inventive Problem

by Lev Shulyak

The following steps are used to solve an inventive problem that contains a technical contradiction:

Step 1. Analyze the technical system. This step determines the system Characteristic (parameter describing the systems physical state, performance, etc.) that needs to be improved.

Step 2. State the technical contradiction. The technical system Characteristic that deteriorates at the expense of the one improving is determined, thus identifying the technical contradiction.

Step 3. Resolve the technical contradiction. In this step the 40 Principles and Contradiction Matrix are utilized to remove the technical contradiction.

Step 1. Analyze the Technical System

There are three stages to Step 1. First, all elements of the technical system are determined. Next, the origin of the problem is identified. Finally, the Characteristic that needs to be improved is formulated.

Understanding a technical problem starts with an analysis of the technical system. This helps determine the elements that compose the technical system (the subsystems), the supersystem to which the technical system belongs, and the origin of the problem itself.

Once these elements are understood, it is possible to visualize the entire continuum of a system's existence: past, present, and future developments of each individual system, subsystems, and supersystem.

It is easier and more effective to remove the cause of a problem than to remove its effect. Mentally projecting a system's functionality forward or backward in time enables an understanding of the working conditions of the system.