Getting the right solution faster
- 1. © 2013 Cogentus Consulting Ltd Decision Processes in Practice Getting to the right solution only much faster Ian Seed
- 2. Operational Research has lots of analytical methods for helping to choose between options But how do you decide which options or scenarios should be analysed? Typically, this is done by brainstorming: this generates all the options for subsequent analysis Introduction 2
- 3. Brainstorming is a Random Method 3 Very Inefficient
- 4. Towards a more Systematic Method 4 Much more efficient
- 6. Improvement #1 Framing 6 Understand the problem properly
- 8. Resources Materials, Energy, Space, Time Stakeholders Who influence’s the solution? Who is impacted by the solution? Ideality The ideal solution has everything we want and none of the things we don’t want. Framing Nine Windows and other techniques 8
- 9. An Improved Approach Look Elsewhere for Solutions 9 Triz (the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) based on analysing hundreds of thousands of patents to look for generic solutions to generic problems.
- 10. Inventive Principles Triz Approach – 40 principles 10 There are 40 categories of proven solutions to solve a contradiction
- 11. Contradictions Technical and Physical 11 Technical Contradictions are when you improve one parameter another gets worse. e.g. you want more strength but it doing so the product gets heavier Physical Contradictions are when you want opposites e.g. hot AND cold
- 12. Patterns of Technological Development 8 different patterns 12 Patterns of technological development can be used to forecast what sort of solutions are likely to happen next
- 13. Standard Solutions 76 solutions 13 If you don’t have a contradiction there are 76 standard solutions that are broken down into five different categories (called classes)
- 14. A Systematic Approach Significantly improves both quantity and quality of options Speeds up the option generation stage massively Ensures that subsequent analysis is working on the right choice of options There are challenges of course ….. Outcomes 14
- 15. Psychological Inertia (you only know what you already know) Triz takes time to learn After all, what can you really learn in half a day! Addressing the Challenge Training Learn process and practice techniques – with neutral and real-world examples Use Software Triz can be neatly packaged with 1,000’s of examples to help unlock already known solutions to the problem e.g. Promax Challenges for Implementation 15
- 16. Summary Use a systematic approach: it is much better than Brainstorming! 16 Understand the problem fully. Only then will you have a chance to get the right solution. Look for proven solutions elsewhere and adapt for your problem. More ideas means more chance of hitting the right one Prioritise the ideas (options) in a robust manner so it will stand up to external scrutiny Confirm the solution implemented is effective in solving the problem.
- 17. 17 For more information please contact Ian Seed iseed@cogentus.co.uk www.cogentus.co.uk Promax software covers all the aspects discussed – plus more. Questions?