We all are problem solvers because we have to be; it’s a survival necessity. Our lives consist of a series of problems that we have to solve in order to move forward, to thrive. Even setting a problem with no distinguishable solution aside is a form of coping with a given problem. Therefore, we all solve problems using different methods.
Generally speaking, we can solve certain problems with monetary and innovative solutions. Monetary Problem Solving (MPS) is a common and effective method because it is easy to perform; it merely requires payment. If you have a problem, you may simply be able to pay for the solution: just pay. This method works on various levels. When the car’s ashtray becomes full, don’t stress; simply purchase a new car as some ultra-wealthy people have done. It may seem like overshooting the problem and is expensive, but so what? What about you? Do you usually order technician service when your dishwasher is leaking? Even if you know the leak can be fixed easily by replacing a rubber hose, for instance, at the cost of a few cents, do you still make that call? Even in this case, you call a technician, ask them to come over and fix it and you are ready to pay hundreds of dollars for the repair or even to replace your old dishwasher with a new model. You actually do not pay for the problem related to your dishwasher; no, you pay for the ‘luxury’ of not having to fix the dishwasher’s problem with your own two hands. You would rather pay for convenience than to create or invent a solution yourself. In this way, you’re actually behaving similarly to very rich people who replace their car when the ashtray becomes full.
Innovative Problem Solving (IPS) is another way to solve a problem. The IPS way is opposite to MPS and is especially useful for those situations involving a lack of money. In this case, if you don’t have the money for the monetary fixing of your leaking dishwasher (or you don’t want to part with your hard-earned money for such a purpose), you will have to start to learn, think and act to solve your problem. Maybe you can patch the leaking hose. Maybe you can watch a YouTube video to learn how to replace your leaking hose yourself for less than $2.00. Hence, you can choose to be innovative.
If you are not rich enough to afford indulgences or you are very careful about spending your money, you have to think and be innovative to solve a problem. If you are rich, you do not need to be inventive because you have money to pay for problem solving, etc. This is like a vicious circle.
Money and innovation are like two poles of a magnet or as two components of a contradiction: Innovation creates Money whereas Money stops Innovation.
Startups typically develop fast if they are based on innovations, if they solve their problems by IPS way. If companies are limited in money at the beginning of their tenure, they have to apply IPS. IPS is the main source for startup developing, growing, achieving success and changing the world.
With time, promising startups can become very rich companies that will result in complete switching from IPS to MPS. Rich companies cannot be inventive because they do not need to be. Often, wealthy companies become too rich to be innovative. The paradox is that a company starts with IPS and develops into the direction to use MPS and not to be inventive. High MPS shares in the problem solving strategy and indicates that the company is “old”. Such a company might be incredibly rich, but it’s unlikely it will change the world.
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VISHWAJEET MAGDUM
May 27, 2020
Hi. i have just joined this website I am working using TRIZ techniques I am a mechanical engineer in one automotive company working in R&D. I think MPS and IPS are surely the problem solving techniques but I think there are more of them, some times there is money but we don’t have that option to pay we have to be innovative thinking in such times.
e.g. suppose we are trapped on a island where no man is there but I have lot of money and I need a boat to get out of there so in this case MPS is not applicable and have to be IPS and hard work too. is there any other problem solving technique for such situations or just IPS we can say.
Anatoly
May 28, 2020
Many thanks for your comment. Please try our Online Platform that is dedicated to Innovation project management using TRIZ tools. Please let me know if any assistance is needed.
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