Principle 1 – Segmentation

"What if we broke it up?" Segmentation: Dividing an object or system into independent parts. Making an object or system ...
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Principle 2 – Taking Out

"What if we removed parts of it?" Taking Out: Removing an interfering part or property from an object, or focusing ...
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Principle 3 – Local Quality

"What if we made part of it different?" Local Quality: Change of an object's structure from uniform to non-uniform. Constant ...
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Principle 4 – Asymmetry

"What if it wasn't symmetrical?" Asymmetry: Going from symmetrical to asymmetrical. Cars The Nissan Cube with its rear window only ...
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Principle 5 – Merging

"What if we put it together with something else?" Merging: Combining multiple items into one structure, or multiple tasks into ...
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Principle 6 – Universality

"Can it accomplish multiple objectives?" Universality: Make a component of a product or service perform multiple functions. KitchenAid The ubiquitous ...
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Principle 7 – Nested Doll

"What if we could fold it away?" Nesting: One object is placed within another, or one object passes through another ...
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Principle 8 – Anti-Weight

"Can we remove the effect of weight?" Anti-weight: To compensate for the weight of an object, add buoyancy or lift ...
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Principle 9 – Prior Counteraction

"What if it pushes back before it's pushed?" Prior Counteraction: Anticipating problems or damage that will likely occur and taking ...
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Principle 10 – Prior Action

"Can something be done in advance to improve the outcome?" Prior Action: Taking steps beforehand to improve the outcome of ...
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Principle 11 – Cushion In Advance

"Can something be done in advance to protect it?" Cushion in Advance: Nothing is perfectly reliable, so cushion the blow ...
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Principle 12 – Equipotentiality

"What if we could avoid lifting it?" Equipotentiality: Redesign an object or its environment so the need to raise or ...
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Principle 13 – The Other Way Round

"What if it was backwards?" The Other Way Round: Invert the object or process. Ketchup bottles Upside down ketchup bottles ...
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Principle 14 – Spheroidality & Curvature

"What if it was curved?" Spheroidality and Curvature: Replace rectilinear structures with spherical or curved ones. Strength Curved structures tend ...
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Principle 15 – Dynamics

"What if it could adapt to circumstance?" Dynamics: Develop the system or product to cope with a varying environment and ...
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Principle 16 – Partial or Excessive Action

"What if we didn't have to be precise?" Partial or Excessive Action: Too much or too little. Overdoing it In ...
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Principle 17 – Another Dimension

"Why isn't it 3 dimensional?" Another Dimension: Consider all axes of the object for potential improvement. "He is intelligent, but ...
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Principle 18 – Mechanical Vibration

"What if vibration could be used to make an improvement?" Mechanical Vibration: Oscillation and reciprocation. Good vibes A vibrator is ...
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Principle 19 – Periodic Action

"What if we broke the process into intervals?" Periodic Action: Instead of continuous action, use periodic or pulsating actions. Use ...
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Principle 20 – Continuity of Useful Action

"Can we replace periodic action with continuous action?" Continuity of Useful Action: Removing periodic action and running without a break ...
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Principle 21 – Rushing Through

"If it won't work slowly, could it work quickly?" Rushing Through: Conduct a step or process at high speed. Nail ...
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Principle 22 – Blessing in Disguise

"What if we turn the negative into a positive?" Blessing in Disguise: Harness harmful or undesired byproducts or waste. Waste ...
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Principle 23 – Feedback

"What if it could monitor itself?" Feedback: Measure the result of a process to adjust the process. Examples The classic ...
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Principle 24 – Intermediary

"If it won't work directly, can something go in between?" Intermediary: An intermediary carrier or process is used to reach ...
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Principle 25 – Self-Service

"Can it service itself?" Self-Service: Make an object serve itself by performing auxiliary helpful functions. Ruminating on the problem Large installations ...
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Principle 26 – Copying

"Can a facsimile be used instead?" Copying: Replacing unavailable, expensive, or fragile items with inexpensive copies. Crash test dummy The crash ...
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Principle 27 – Cheap Short-Living Objects

"What if we made it so cheap we could throw it away?" Cheap, short-living objects: Replacement of an expensive object, ...
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Principle 28 – Substituting of Mechanical Systems with Electromagnetic Systems

"Can we eliminate moving parts with electronics?" Body scan BMW has developed a new technique that avoids the need to ...
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Principle 29 – Pneumatics and Hydraulics

"Can we position it with a fluid?" Hydraulics and pneumatics both use fluids to manipulate, propel or position. Hydraulics rely ...
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Principle 30 – Flexible Membranes/Thin Films

"Can we replace a heavy structure with a thin film?" Flexible membranes and thin films have a number of useful ...
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Principle 31 – Porous Materials

"What if we added holes?" Make an object porous Holes can be added to a structure to reduce weight. Cavity ...
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Principle 32 – Colour Changes

"Can we solve a problem with a colour change?" Colour changes: Changing the colour of an object or its external ...
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Principle 33 – Homogeneity

"What if we make it all the same?" Homogeneity: Making things the same to improve how they interact. Temporary pots ...
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Principle 34 – Discarding and Recovering

"Can it replenish itself?" Automatic pistols Automatic pistols use cartridge ammunition in magazines. Typical cartridges, or rounds, comprise the bullet, ...
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Principle 35 – Parameter Change

"What if we made it something-er?" Parameter change. Change the degree of something, for example: Length Temperature Angle Thickness Pressure ...
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Principle 36 – Phase Transition

"Can a phase change between solid, liquid or gas solve the problem?" Ice Ice is often considerably colder than the ...
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Principle 37 – Thermal Expansion

"Can we harness or control thermal expansion to solve the problem?" Thermostats Older mechanical home thermostats control furnaces and air ...
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Principle 38 – Accelerated Oxidation

"Can accelerated oxidation lead to a solution?" Combustion Nitrous oxide, injected into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine ...
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Principle 39 – Inert Atmosphere

"Can an inert gas protect from oxidation or combustion?" Freshness Modified atmosphere packaging is created by replacing some or all ...
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Principle 40 – Composite Materials

"Can the characteristics of two materials work together to produce a better product?" Composite materials: Made from two or more ...
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If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail

This aphorism reminds us that the obvious solution is not always the best and invites us to consider many possible solutions to each challenge.

The 40 Inventive Principles of Problem Solving are handy tools to encourage innovative and creative thinking from many perspectives. This can free the problem solver charged with developing an innovative solution from blank slate paralysis and also facilitate group creativity by using shared cues for inspiration.

TRIZ

The 40 Principles are informed by TRIZ, a proven set of innovation tools.