TRIZ for Six Sigma

The secret of inventive problem solving

TRIZ for Six Sigma

How to quickly and more easily find creative and inventive solutions to difficult and challenging problems

£ 6.99 inc VAT
€10.49* approx inc VAT   $ 8.93* approx ex tax

Part One - an explanation of the main tools and techniques in TRIZ and how they are used to solve difficult problems and contradictions

• What is TRIZ
• Patents
• Patterns of evolution
• Systems
• Contradictions
• Idle resources
• The ideal final solution
• Six Sigma and TRIZ

Part Two - a list of the main tool in TRIZ, the 40 inventive principles, and how to use each one for technical or non-technical problem solving

• 40 Inventive Principles listed and described
• Contradiction matrix
• Alternatives to the 40 Inventive Principles
• Rationalizing the Inventive Principles
• Quick evaluation tools

Inventive Principle #13

50 illustrations and diagrams

Full search facility - no standard index required

Covers basic TRIZ tools and techniques and then expands this to using TRIZ within Six Sigma projects

Q. Is this a book on TRIZ or a book on Six Sigma?

• This is a book on TRIZ, simplified and reduced to the core set of practical tools and techniques used most often to solve most problems. It is also a book that reflects the benefits of Six Sigma project work, and brings both TRIZ and Six Sigma together in a powerful 'contradiction-busting' approach. It does not cover all of TRIZ, and it certainly does not cover Six Sigma in any depth, but it will give you the best of both so that you can immediately start to use TRIZ to solve real problems, either generally on its own, or within your Six Sigma project work.

Q. Why use electronic book format to publish your work?

• Six Sigma suggests that every process is improved to reduce variation and waste. Lean suggests that every process is improved to increase efficiency and reduce cycle time. TRIZ suggests that we aim to increase the benefits and reduce the cost and the harm of products (and services). Publishing by traditional means takes almost two years from idea to print, and requires physically printed books shipped to each customer. Electronic book format allows for rapid idea-to-print, world-wide distribution at very low cost and very high speed, and no middle operators! E-books are not quite the same as paper ones for look and feel, but they do fit on a laptop for immediate use rather than gathering dust on a bookshelf. Ever wanted to find something in an index that was not there? E-books also allow for 'all-word' index searches at the click of a button!

Q. Does this e-book work on any computer?

• No - regrettably the e-book format we use will only operate on a PC running Windows and with Internet Explorer 4 or above. We do note however that in the first four months of 2003 more than 98% of visitors to this site use the Windows operating system, and 96% use Explore 4 or above.

Q. At less than $9.99 is this a deal that is 'too good to be true'?

• The best value Six Sigma paperbacks today work out at about 2,000 words per US dollar, but you are also paying for the paper, printing and the shipping costs. 'TRIZ for Six Sigma' is around 5,000 words per US dollar, containing more than twice as many words as a similarly priced Six Sigma paperback. This makes our e-books 60% more efficient at delivering content to you! 'TRIZ for Six Sigma' is also a real full book, written in the same way as any traditional work, and with the same aim of being best in its class for content, value, coverage and style. This makes our e-book nothing less than 100% of the value gained from any traditional style work - and we hope that you agree!

Q. Is your e-book safe?

• Our e-book format uses existing PC/explorer technology, and is basically a compressed set of web pages linked together with a full word index. The e-book is distributed as an executable (program) file, and like any program or website, has the potential to run or initiate damaging viruses. All our material is regularly checked with the latest virus checkers, but we do recommend that you check the e-book yourself, particularly where you need to comply with local site rules for corporate security.

Q. I am already good at Six Sigma - do I really need TRIZ as well?

• Yes! Six Sigma is great, but does not cover ideas generation and innovation that well, and it certainly does not deal with the concept of the inherent contradiction. TRIZ is a very useful tool to have in your toolkit for DMAIC projects, and is an absolute MUST for any large DFSS project. You may be surprised as to how many contradictions there are in your processes, products and services! Use TRIZ to help you find them, and then to help you deal with them in more inventive and productive ways!

Q. I am already good at TRIZ - what can Six Sigma add that I already don't know?

• TRIZ on its own is a great tool, however even the best invention or patent in the world will not be a commercial success without backing and support. Ever met the 'not invented here' syndrome? Six Sigma project work, using the DMAIC methodology, is outstanding in its ability to cut through roadblocks and to achieve great things across businesses and with strong customer focus. Today the DMAIC problem solving approach is actively recognized as one of the very best available, and no TRIZ expert can afford to be without the corporate envelope, methodology, toolkit and support provided by a sound Six Sigma initiative! Combining TRIZ and Six Sigma gives us DMAIC^TRIZ, a powerful and easy to use adaptation of DMAIC for the TRIZ toolkit.

Q. Isn't TRIZ just for research boffins in large manufacturing companies?

• TRIZ today is clearly so important that it is being actively taught in Russia and Japan at secondary/high school level. It is being used by an ever increasing group of people for general problem identification and solving, not just for technology or manufacturing. Experience in using TRIZ within Six Sigma projects shows that it can be apply almost anywhere and does indeed bring new levels of clarity, creativity and inventiveness. Since inherent contradictions are so common, and often the root cause of unsuccessful problem solving, a better understanding of how to find them and then how to invent a contradiction-busting solution is something everyone needs to know!

Q. Can I print the e-book, or better still pay for one copy and then give it freely to my friends?

• Legally, morally, and practically, no! The book is copyright to the publisher, and also the intellectual property of the author. This e-book cannot be printed, and each computer requires a separate unlock code to allow access to the entire book. We have actively priced the book so competitively that it should be more convenient for you to buy your own copy, just as most people do with their daily newspaper. Remember too that part of what you pay is invested towards bringing you new e-books in the future. There is no such thing as a free lunch! You will be able to download any book updates without any additional charges.
• We have published a paper reference book, Pocket TRIZ for Six Sigma, available from our on-line shop.

Try 'TRIZ for Six Sigma' for yourself - it will cost you nothing but a moment of your time to download and start reading this e-book. If you don't like it you can easily pass the file on to someone else who might benefit. If you do like it, then you can buy the book on-line using a credit card, and access the whole book typically within 24 hours.

April 2003
© Mulbury Consulting