Application of the systems dynamics approach to model inventive problems

Abstract

The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) has a broad range of application in today’s industry. Many companies have assimilated this problem-solving approach and unveiled new technological resources for add value and impel the innovation process. Nevertheless, the appropriation effort of TRIZ also revealed several research opportunities; one that has particular significance is the complexity for modeling inventive problems. Typically, TRIZ proposes to model problems through Functional Analysis, Root-Cause Analysis, and other graphical tools. However, these tools are inadequate to represent how one conflict changes in time. Hence, it is not possible to observe the effect of one solution on the system. An approach particularly appropriate to model a system in a period is the System Dynamics Modeling. This article has the purpose of demonstrating that the modeling tools of the System Dynamics can represent inventive problems. In this process, both techniques obtain something useful. In the first place, TRIZ gains a modeling tool, and on the other hand, the System Dynamics Modeling explores the possibility to enrich their problem-solving toolbox. The objective of this article is to demonstrate that it is possible to model any inventive problem through the System Dynamic Modeling approach.