Genrikh Altshuller was a Soviet engineer and inventor who developed a problem-solving methodology known as TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving).
TRIZ is a structured approach to innovation that uses a set of principles and tools to help people solve complex problems and generate new ideas.
Here are some important insights about creativity that we can learn from Genrikh Altshuller and his TRIZ methodology
Creativity can be taught
Altshuller believed that creativity is not a random or magical process, but rather a skill that can be learned and developed through practice.
Use systematic approaches
TRIZ emphasizes the use of systematic approaches to problem solving, such as mapping the problem, breaking it down into smaller parts, and identifying the underlying principles or contradictions that limit the solution space.
Patterns and principles can be identified
Altshuller and his team analyzed thousands of patents and inventions to identify common patterns and principles that successful inventors had used. These patterns can then be used as a starting point for new inventions.
Think outside the box
TRIZ encourages people to look beyond their immediate assumptions and preconceived notions to find new and innovative solutions to problems.
Challenge assumptions
Altshuller believed that many of the assumptions we make about a problem are often the source of the problem itself. By challenging these assumptions and reframing the problem in a new way, we can often find unexpected and innovative solutions.
Overall, Altshuller’s TRIZ methodology provides a useful framework for approaching creative problem solving in a structured and systematic way.
By understanding the underlying principles of creativity, we can improve our ability to generate new ideas and solve complex problems.
