problem solving

Originally developed in the software industry, a method inspired by the mindset of designers has proven to be a broadly applicable approach to solving complex problems. Design thinking holds the potential to contribute positively to social and economic change. A look at its development offers valuable insights for a deeper understanding.

n the automotive industry, preventive quality actions are applied to ensure the quality of the end products. During production ramp-up the occurrence of nonconformities can be a critical issue. Nonconformities with new and innovative products can be especially challenging due to limited experience of previously unknown processes. To address this challenge, an IT application has been developed to capture the organization's existing knowledge and use this to support the problem- solving team in applying an enhanced 8D method.

The theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) supports the innovation management process as a whole. It enriches the finding of new ideas, generating and evaluating alternatives as well as the transformation of ideas. TRIZ provides a comprehensive set of tools to support the various steps inside an effective innovation management. Contradiction thinking is one key finding of TRIZ. Contradictions may occur in a one- or two parametric form and represent the core aspects of a problem. TRIZ-tools help to resolve these contradictions. A comparison of the tools (i) inventive principles and (ii) separation principles, demonstrate the imposing use in the innovation management.