Solving complex problems and TRIZ

Today, innovators have to deal with greater complexity than ever before. This complexity arises from the requirements companies must meet in order to create an ever increasing value for their specific customers and for society. In general, the requirements for innovators have become more numerous, more dynamic in change, and - even worse - are often in conflict with each other. On the other hand, complexity offers tremendous opportunities for those companies that are able to properly address it and which are able to offer robust processes and solutions to deal with it. In this paper, the authors highlight the contribution of TRIZ to problem solving with a specific focus on solving complex problems. The paper introduces different problem types according to a relatively new, but widely accepted problem model. It points out the definition of a "complex problem" and explains the difference between complex problems and other problem types. Main TRIZ-tools are discussed in context with different problem types and suggestions are made which TRIZ-tools to prefer in context with a given problem situation. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.