Creative Contributions of the Methods of Inventive Principles of TRIZ and BioTRIZ to Problem Solving

Abstract

This study compares the potential of the methods of inventive principles (IPR) of TRIZ (MIPT) and BioTRIZ (MIPB) in relation to stimulating creativity in problem solving. The two methods were applied to different issues by groups of undergraduate students. The solutions were evaluated in terms of creativity, which was defined by the criteria of originality and utility. Quantitative analysis provided evidence that the two methods are equal in terms of creative contributions. However, further analyses indicate that the IPs derived from biological systems tend to provide a greater creative contribution compared to those based on technical systems. In addition, it was found that repeated inventive principles (IPR), that is, those indicated more than once by the applied methods, tend to introduce a greater potential for stimulating creativity compared to inventive principles (IPs) indicated only once.