Functional Modeling is a powerful tool that drives innovation and improves engineering systems. Using the System Functional Model tool in the PRIZ Innovation Platform, engineers can analyze components, identify inefficiencies, and develop innovative solutions. This article demonstrates functional modeling through an example of an IC interconnection layer, showing how it simplifies systems, cuts costs, and boosts performance. You’ll discover how this method can enhance your engineering outcomes and guide your innovation process. Some housekeeping To innovate and improve your engineering system, start by creating a Functional Model and performing a functional analysis. Functional Modeling is the most effective method for:…

In today’s rapidly changing world, innovation is not just a luxury or a path to growth; it’s a necessity for survival. To illustrate this, let’s step back in time to the story of Robinson Crusoe, the shipwrecked man who found himself stranded on a deserted island. Crusoe had to innovate constantly to survive, and his story highlights the essence of innovation in action. Similarly, modern organizations face a daily survival challenge requiring structured innovation. The article encourages organizations to go beyond traditional brainstorming and instead adopt systematic, meaningful innovation to achieve sustainable improvements and thrive in competitive environments. The PRIZ…

Would you agree to lower your standard of living? Would you give up the internet, cell phones, air-conditioned apartments, etc.? I believe you wouldn’t. If you want to continue enjoying your current living conditions, you need to support innovation and do everything possible to keep it going. Innovation must continue. Don’t expect someone else to innovate for you. No, all of us, humanity as a whole, should be innovative everywhere and anytime to make our lives better. It’s important to mention that innovation always solves existing problems. This article discusses how to innovate, find the best tools for innovative thinking,…

The word “Innovation” meets us everywhere: at work, bank, pharmacy, post office, gym, playground… “Innovation” became a brand indicating the effectiveness and success of the company. Do we clearly understand what innovation is? This article discusses the essence of innovation and the difference between innovation and process/product change, improvement, or fixing. We also discuss and describe the innovation process using the PRIZ Innovation Platform. The Ambiguity of Innovation Definitions The internet provides an abundance of different definitions and explanations of innovation. This suggests that the concept of innovation is not trivial and requires further analysis and clarification. According to the…

This case study explores the usage of Process Functional Modeling (PFM) as a problem-solving tool in microchip manufacturing. PFM is an innovative way of thinking that involves breaking down a process into its components on multiple levels and generating innovative solutions. The tool enables us to move from general to specific, from process to operations, operations to components, and components to functions. In this article, we provide a real-life example of how a team applied PFM to the microchip manufacturing process. We want to demonstrate its effectiveness in creating a model of failure in the context of the whole process….

Have you ever found yourself in a group discussion about problem-solving, where people list all the reasons why a solution is impossible or extremely difficult? They might say things like “It’s very difficult”, “This solution is very expensive”, “It won’t work!” or even “This is a stupid idea!” If this sounds familiar, you’ve experienced Psychological Inertia. Now, let’s dive into the details. What is inertia in psychology? Here is the definition I usually begin with a straightforward, unembellished definition. Unfortunately, the Cambridge dictionary doesn’t provide one for this term, so I’ll reference Wikipedia instead: Psychological inertia is the tendency to…

Our life is full of changes. We change apartments, cars, work, accept a new position, start learning, etc. We make a lot of changes at our work too – maintain equipment, clean the products, change vendors, and hire or fire people. And we can continue the list of possible changes endlessly. The question is, do we need these changes or not? Are they innovations or just changes? In most cases, people don’t bother much to analyze or even think about the reason for any change they make. Here, let’s do the simple analysis that everyone should do. And we’ll do…

“Our life would never be as advanced and comfortable as it is if not for the application of tantalum and niobium.” And this is right. This is what I wrote at the very beginning of my book about tantalum and niobium chemistry. Tantalum capacitors are everywhere: in our cellphones, computers, in about any electronic device you use. Due to the unique properties of tantalum, these capacitors provide a champion performance within the smallest size. Defibrillators and pacemakers contain tantalum capacitors because of their reliability. Tantalum is the only material that is fully compatible with the human body; therefore, parts made…

The problem-solving tool is a paradoxical concept. Ask people: “Do you know that problem-solving tools speed up a problem-solving process?” A typical answer will be:  “Yes.” If you continue and ask: “Do you always use problem-solving tools?” The most common answer is: “No, I do not have time to use any tools when I solve a problem.” This is a really puzzling situation. Think about it, people don’t play chess without knowing how to play, don’t make a statistical analysis without learning math, don’t perform surgery without relevant education, etc. In the case of problem-solving, more often than not, even…