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Proceedings of the MATRIZ TRIZfest 2018 International Conference. September 13-15, 2018, Lisbon, Portugal
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TRIZfest 2018
September 13-15, 2018. Lisbon, Portugal
IDENTIFICATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE MOST
EFFICIENT RESOURCES AMONG THOSE AVAILABLE
Oleg Feygensona, Naum Feygensonb
aSamsung Electronics, Suwon, 443-742, South Korea
bEn+ Group, Moscow, 121096, Russia
Abstract
Resource Analysis is a well-known TRIZ tool that was originally developed as a part of the Algorithm of
Inventive Problem Solving (ARIZ). It is widely used as an independent TRIZ tool or in combination with
some other tools (e.g., Function Analysis, Function-Oriented Search, etc.) for problem identification and
idea generation.
Nowadays, many publications are available concerning resources in TRIZ. However, most of these
publications describe how to reveal and classify resources, but not how to select the most suitable ones.
Generally speaking, everything around us can be used as a resource for problem solving, but is there a way
to select the “right” resources? What approach should we use to avoid having to test each resource one-by-
one?
In this paper, we have tried to develop an approach for choosing the necessary resources directly. We
propose applying the Advanced Function Approach (AFA) to develop search patterns for identifying and
modifying available resources. Another aspect of the current research is the modification and utilization of
different types of voidness, which is a freely available resource.
Keywords: Resources, Advanced Function Approach, Voidness.
1. Introduction
The concept of resources is one of the fundamental origins of TRIZ. That is why Resources and
Resource Analysis are required topics to be learned for Level 1 MATRIZ certification [1].
Resource Analysis was originally introduced as a part of the Algorithm of Inventive Problem
Solving (ARIZ). The following definition is given in ARIZ-85C [2]: “Substance and Field
Resources (SFR) are substances and fields that already exist or may be easily obtained according
to the problem conditions.” Yet there are no practical recommendations on how to identify
resources or on how to make sure a resource list includes only effective resources, while excluding
unnecessary ones. This means that the processes of selecting resources and solving problems
depend solely on the problem solver’s erudition and experience.
At the present time, Resource Analysis is widely used as an independent TRIZ tool or in
combination with some other tools (Function Analysis, Function-Oriented Search, etc.) for
problem identification and idea generation. There are some articles in TRIZ literature that contain
recommendations concerning the Resource Analysis procedure. Generally, however, they are
about how to identify a great number of available resources, but do not contain practical
recommendations on how to select workable resources from all of those available.
Proceedings of the MATRIZ TRIZfest 2018 International Conference. September 13-15, 2018, Lisbon, Portugal
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The main objective of this paper is to provide a function approach for identifying resources. The
general idea is to identify resources to be included in the list based on their functionality, as well
as their availability in space and time. This approach has been developed through practical
experience and applied in numerous innovative projects.
2. Literature Review
"When I decided to select resources for solving scientific
problems, I obtained a whole list of phenomena, substances
and fields - from the center of the Earth to the center of the Sun"
Voluslav Mitrofanov [3]
Many good examples of elegant solutions developed by using different resources are presented by
Vladimir Urazaev [4]. In his research, Urazaev surveys patents and describes interesting examples
of solving problems by using various resources.
Most publications concerning resources in TRIZ literature focus on understanding the role of
resources and the identification and classification of as many resources as possible. As a result of
this attention to resources, the term 'Inventive Resources' was developed in TRIZ. Boris Zlotin and
Alla Zusman [5] define Inventive Resources as:
- Any substance or anything made of a substance (including waste) that is available in the system
or its environment.
- An energy reserve, free time, unoccupied space, information, etc.
- The functional and technological ability to perform additional functions, including properties of
substances as well as physical, chemical, geometric and other effects.
Zlotin and Zusman developed a checklist for readily available resources and suggested a way to
reveal hidden resources [5].
Alexandr Gasanov gives a classification of resources and suggests an algorithm for revealing
resources [6].
Sandra Mueller surveys different approaches for classifying resources both inside the field of
TRIZ and in strategic management [7]. All the approaches she surveyed are used for revealing the
maximum number of resources to subsequently solve a problem, either technical or in
management.
Alexandr Bushuev attempts to quantitatively evaluate and compare technical and physical
contradictions by employing a vector analysis of resources [8]. He evaluates the resource-
intensiveness of different physical quantities and, based on these values, compares the potency of
dual conflict in physical and technical contradictions.
Val Kraev, in his lessons, describes a resource approach and gives many colorful examples of
resource application, specifying the features of different types of resources and ways they can be
applied [9].
Gennadiy Ivanov describes an improved and more practical procedure for identifying resources in
his ARIP (Algorithm of Engineering Problem Solving) [10].
Of course, there are more publications available concerning resources in TRIZ, but those
mentioned above are the most complete as they summarize previous experience. Again, all these
publications describe how to reveal and classify resources, but not how to select the most suitable.
Proceedings of the MATRIZ TRIZfest 2018 International Conference. September 13-15, 2018, Lisbon, Portugal
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Therefore, in this paper, we have tried to develop an approach on how to choose the necessary
resources directly.
3. Advanced Function Approach for Resource Analysis
Function Analysis, as defined in modern TRIZ, is an analytical tool that identifies functions, their
characteristics, and the cost of System and Supersystem components [11]. The goal of Function
Analysis is to identify disadvantages of the system such as harmful functions, insufficiently or
excessively performed useful functions, and excessive cost of components. As was proposed
recently, the wrong place and time for performing functions and the absence of required useful
functions can also be identified using Advanced Function Approach (AFA) [12].
AFA was introduced in 2010 at the TRIZ Future Conference conducted by European TRIZ
Association (ETRIA) [12]. At that time it was shown how utilizing the spatio-temporal parameters
can further enhance such a powerful analytical tool as Function Analysis for Engineering Systems.
Since then, AFA has proved its practical efficiency in dozens of TRIZ projects.
In this paper we propose applying AFA to identify Substance-Field resources. The suggested
algorithm for evaluating resources is as follows:
1. Identify the problem to be solved.
2. Formulate a search pattern in the following format: without complicating the Engineering
System and adding additional harmful effects, the X-element must [perform a function].
3. Specify the time and space where the function is needed.
4. Formulate function requirements for the potential X-element.
5. Search for the X-element as a Function Carrier inside the considered ES and its nearest
supersystem. At least one of the following conditions should be satisfied:
- The X-element already performs an identical or similar function on the Object of Function
- The X-element already performs an identical or similar function on another object
- The X-element performs any function on the Object of Function or, at a minimum, simply
interacts with the Object of Function
6. Describe the idea(s) for the solution.
7. Identify and address the Adaptation Problems required to implement the idea.
The example below was taken from an actual consulting project which was aimed at developing a
new product for moisturizing human skin, and which would identify some alternative systems for
existing body lotion. One of the sub-directions here was a new delivery system for the moisturizer:
a packaging and/or application procedure.
At that time, the Advanced Function Approach for Resource Analysis had not yet been
formalized, yet we can see its influence at the idea generation stage.
In this project, a human's daily activities were considered as a technological process. Skin
moisturizing was included as one of the operations in the process. Existing body lotion was
considered to be the ES involved in the operation.
The traditional application of the lotion is to spread the lotion over the skin. The inconvenience
related to such application procedure can be defined as the necessity for the consumer to perform
additional actions.
Proceedings of the MATRIZ TRIZfest 2018 International Conference. September 13-15, 2018, Lisbon, Portugal
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So, we have a problem: how to apply lotion all over the body's skin without additional actions by
the consumer?
The search pattern would be: without complicating the Engineering System and adding additional
harmful effects, the X-element must deliver lotion all over the skin.
Time and space would be specified as follows: time – anytime where access to human skin exists;
space – upper skin layer.
Function requirements for the X-element were stated as follows: "amount of additional actions
required from the consumer" and "skin surface area processed per time unit."
All ESs involved in the human daily activity process were considered to be supersystem
components and potential X-elements (see Figure 1).
Moisturizing
• Washing Gel
• Bottle
• Bath Sponge
• Water
• Shower Head
•
Air
• Towel • Cloths
• Lotion • Linens
…
Washing Wiping
Dressing
Sleeping
Moisturizing
• Washing Gel
• Bottle
• Bath Sponge
• Water
• Shower Head
•
Air
• Towel • Cloths
• Lotion • Linens
…
Washing Wiping
Dressing
Sleeping
Figure 1. Identifying possible resources for moisturizing human skin
A number of supersystem components were recommended as a potential delivery system for a
moisturizing product. For instance, shower gel, water and shower head can be components at the
washing stage; a towel can be a component at the wiping stage, bed linens can be a component at
the sleeping stage, etc.
What is important here is that we did not list and classify all possible resources; instead, we were
focused only on the resources with the required functionality.
4. Application of void
As is mentioned in Part #4 of ARIZ, void is an important resource which is always available,
cheap and can be mixed with substances. However, the function of void cannot be formulated
since it is not a material object.
This is why we recommend that void is necessarily checked as a possible resource. When AFA is
applied, void may be interpreted in different ways: void as an empty space or void as a time
interval in which no functions are performed.
A good example of utilizing void to develop a new conceptual design for an electric machine is
shown in [13]. It should be noted that when we analyse and improve simple ESs, the ideas and
final solutions are hard to find because of the absence of system resources. Often, in such
situations void is a perfect resource, as shown with the example below (see Figure 2).
The problem is: how to lock a nut in place permanently? The nut should be tightened and stay in
place. No additional components (e.g., nut lockers) can be added. In such a situation, there are not
many resources. However, void is always available. The idea for permanently affixing a nut is as
follows: a cut is introduced on the side surface of the nut (as shown in Figure 2) and when the nut
is fastened in place, a hammer can be used to hit and compress the nut, which will damage the
nut’s thread and, thus, it will be impossible to dislodge the nut.
Proceedings of the MATRIZ TRIZfest 2018 International Conference. September 13-15, 2018, Lisbon, Portugal
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As mentioned in [14], void allows an object to increase the number of functions it can perform.
When void is utilized, it resolves the following contradiction: additional components should be
added to the system in order to increase the number of its functions, but the additional components
should not be added in order to keep the system cheap and simple. Void does not add any cost or
complexity to a system.
In the same research [14] practical recommendations on how to introduce void to different objects
can be found.
Figure 2. A nut which locks itself
5. Conclusions
Here we have combined and verbalized an approach that could be used for solving inventive
problems by searching and evaluating resources. The main idea behind the approach proposed is
that we need first to understand what function is required from a resource, where and when it is
required, and then we will be able to identify the most suitable resource among the many
available. In another aspect of the described approach we use void as a resource in a systematic
way. It is not possible to identify void itself using functional criteria since void is not a material
object. However, as demonstrated above, it is possible to add void to the other objects and increase
their functionality.
Acknowledgements
We extend our sincere thanks to all authors and TRIZ developers who are mentioned in the
references for revealing the importance of resources in modern TRIZ and developing some
approaches for classifying resources. Special thanks to Deborah Abramova who helped to make
this paper sound literate in English.
References
1. Appendix 1 of MATRIZ Regulations for Multi-Level Certification of TRIZ Users and Specialists
https://matriz.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Appendix-1_Knowlege-Standard-ENGL-2017-03.pdf
2. Altshuller G.S., ARIZ Means Victory. Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving ARIZ-85-C.- Rules
of Game without Rules / Compiled by A.B.Seliutsky. – Petrozavodsk: Karelia, 1989.-280 p.
3. Mitrofanov V. March 2008. Resources (in Russian). http://www.metodolog.ru/01342/01342.html
(Last view July 24, 2008 17:05:00)
4. Urazaev V. April 2008. Innovations in Engineering: Ideality and Resource Approach.
http://www.metodolog.ru/01362/01362.html
5. Zlotin B., and Zusman A. December 2004 - March 2005. The Concept of Resources in TRIZ: Past,
Present, Future. http://www.ideationtriz.com/new/materials/finalconceptresources.pdf
6. Gasanov A. TRIZ manual. Part 5. Substance-Field Resources. (in Russian)
http://www.metodolog.ru/00034/00034.html
7. Mueller S. 2005. The TRIZ Resource Analysis Tool for Solving Management Tasks: Previous
Classifications and their Modification. Creativity and Innovation Management, Vol.1, pages 43-58.
Proceedings of the MATRIZ TRIZfest 2018 International Conference. September 13-15, 2018, Lisbon, Portugal
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8. Bushuev A.B. June 2008. Vector Analysis of Resources.
http://www.metodolog.ru/01424/01424.html
9. Kraev V. January 2007. Kraev's Korner: Resource Analysis - Lesson 4, TRIZ-Journal.
http://www.triz-journal.com/archives/2007/01/08 /
10. Ivanov G.I. July 2008. Algorithm of Engineering Problem Solving - ARIP 2008.
http://www.metodolog.ru/01432/01432.html
11. V.M Gerasimov., S.S. Litvin, “Basic statements of methodology for performing function-cost
analysis: Methodological recommendations”- Moscow: Inform-FSA, 1991 (in Russian).
12. Simon Litvin, Naum Feygenson, Oleg Feygenson. Advanced Function Approach. Proceedings of
the 10th ETRIA World TRIZ Future Conference 2010 – 3-5 November, Bergamo-Italy. pp. 79-85.
13. Tiziana Bertoncelli, Jan Hemmelmann, Alexander Fiseni, Oliver Mayer, “In Situ Magnetizer with
TRIZ from 6sigma Project to Patent” Proceedings of the 11th TRIZfest-2015 Conference 2015 – 10-12
September, pp. 100-109
14. Altshuller G.S & Vertkin I.M, “Lines of Voidness Increase” http://www.altshuller.ru/triz/zrts5.asp
Communicating Author: oleg.feygenson@gmail.com
