TRIZ CONSULTING, INC.
"Zinovy is a truly amazing TRIZ educator, inventor, and problem solver. His series of TRIZ classes are the best, most useful, and most interesting classes I've ever taken (and like all engineers I've taken a LOT of classes, and then some). They will make you a much better and more inventive problem solver. Don't let the word 'Theory' in 'Theory of Inventive Problem Solving' fool you; TRIZ is a practical tool for solving all types of engineering, scientific, and business problems. For these reasons, and also because TRIZ Masters are very few and far between, if you have a chance to work with Zinovy, through his classes or through his consulting business, I highly recommend it."
Ross Blanton
P.E., Certified TRIZ Practitioner,
Mechanical Design Engineer, Boeing
"I was first exposed to TRIZ in 1998, as an alternative problem solving method. After studying Altshuller's materials and the TRIZ journal, I took Zinovy's beginning level class in 2000, and pursued the Advanced Practice and the Certified TRIZ Practitioner Course 2014. Zinovy's course materials include a summary of the methods in his 'TOP-TRIZ Problem Formulator', which contains a TOP-TRIZ Flow Chart, to provide a step by step process flow to problem formulation, classification, solution, and evaluation. This is a handy reference I rely on in my application of TRIZ to both practice and real-world problems. I was most interested in the application of TRIZ to organizational conflicts and to software development. Although the course examples are focused on technical contradictions, I have been successful in extending Zinovy's analysis approach and TOP (Tool-Object-Product) model to organizational and software development conflicts. Extending these concepts beyond technical and physical contradictions is an additional level of abstraction, and in my opinion one level more difficult. Zinovy's technical problems in the advanced class provides sufficient practice to abstract the concepts. I have also applied Zinovy's techniques for the critical evaluation of an immature technology with great success. Using skills honed in the Advanced Practice course, I was able to confirm the conditions exist for a very harmful type of wear, which the company experts had earlier dismissed. < I highly recommend Zinovy's course series to anyone interested in solving difficult, complex, and/or inventive problems, whether they are technical, physical, organizational, or in software development."
Scott Button
PE, MSME, MSEM, Theory of Constraints Jonah
Certified TRIZ Practitioner
Boeing Special Invention Award, 2000, 2008, 2010, 2013
Patents #6,164,477, #6,325,568, #8,581,904, others pending
Associate Technical Fellow, Boeing
"I have taken many professional development training courses over my career in science and engineering. I found the Basic TRIZ and Advanced Practice TRIZ courses to be the most useful, the most stimulating, and the most satisfying of these trainings. Although I have only been applying the techniques and algorithms for a few months, I have been able to find new solutions to chronic manufacturing problems in our plant. The process can be used on low tech and high tech levels. I have used the method from simply helping to take cost out of a manufacturing process to developing intellectual property based on new solid state physics.
Two features of TRIZ that I really find to be especially valuable are:
1) The functional analysis process forces you understand what the problem really is on a fundamental level.
2) The TOP TRIZ algorithm is complete. You can't miss what the general solutions are. You can be confident that if a solution to your challenge exists, you will find it."
Peter R. Menge, Ph. D.
Senior Scientist. Saint-Gobain Crystals
"Zinovy Royzen's TRIZ classes teach a very non-intuitive set of approaches to problems. The TRIZ methods allow problems to be seen from many additional viewpoints. That allows many otherwise-impossible problems to be solved. Most classic approaches such as brainstorming or fishbone diagrams result in focus on a particular class of solutions, while ignoring other approaches. TRIZ tools give a high level of confidence that all avenues of possible solutions have been explored. I highly recommend the courses to innovators. "
Mark Lesyna
Lead Engineer, 777x Mechanical & Hydraulic Systems
"I have been introduced to TRIZ first time in 1973 when I read the book "The Innovation Algorithm" written by Genrich Altshuller, a founder of TRIZ methodology. Zinovy was one out of 65 people certified by Genrich Altshuller as TRIZ Masters, and that was why I took an opportunity to go through his basic TRIZ course in 2005. It was a stunning discovery for me, when I found that TOP-TRIZ, enhanced by Zinovy, produced strong technical solutions in far more clear way compared to classical TRIZ. I went through his Advanced Course in 2006 and TRIZ Practitioner Course in 2007. I routinely use TRIZ, developing "out of the box" technical solutions. Working for my company for 20 years I have been awarded with 31 patents, and I believe TRIZ methodology was a significant part of that. I would strongly recommend taking Zinovy's TRIZ course to any innovative individual."
Yury Shkolnikov
Senior Corporate Engineer, Illinois Tool Works
Certified TRIZ Practitioner
"I'm absolutely impressed ! The structure of the Standard Techniques is excellent and very clear and logic. I like a lot all the micro-algorithms and excellent worksheets which make the book very "hands-on". Also the many examples and exercises are very good. I wish I discovered this book 5 years earlier."
Karel Bolckmans
"I found your Designing and Manufacturing Better Products Faster Using TRIZ course stimulating and interesting. I found your approach very rigorous - I am now a fan of your TOP approach versus S fields!! Also your function analysis piece is stronger than other TRIZ courses I have been at."
Barry Winkless
Altran Technologies, Ireland
"I have attended hundreds of hours of technical and facilitation training over the past 12 years, and I would rate Zinovy's five-day TRIZ class as being in the top three best for his excellent organization and presentation of material. Zinovy's training materials and approach bring clarity and simplicity to a topic that has been "clouded" by 56 years of evolution and differing opinion on how to apply TRIZ. His course workbook is one of the best I have seen for enabling an attendee to apply what they have learned after the training. His subject expertise comes through clearly in the numerous examples he uses from his personal experience with TRIZ. I have read various TRIZ books and articles and seen presentations on TRIZ from other sources and quite frankly, until I attended Zinovy's class, I was confused about many aspects of TRIZ.
Zinovy's five-day course "Designing and Manufacturing Better Products Faster Using TRIZ" answered all of my questions in a way that is systematic, practical and does not require special computer software to perform.
When I was asking around for a useful TRIZ class to attend, Leslie Enerson of Bobcat Company told me that "If you just want a warm fuzzy feeling about how good TRIZ can be, you can attend just about anyone's class, but if you want to actually be able to do something with what you learn, the only class to attend is Zinovy's." I am sending this email to my friends to tell that she was absolutely right! I give it the strongest possible recommendation for anyone working in applied research and development, product or process engineering and design, manufacturing process improvement or problem solving in any industry or discipline. It was one of the most useful problem solving courses, and one of the most well organized training courses I have attended during my 20 years in engineering and manufacturing.
TRIZ would provide excellent support for enterprise wide programs, such as Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma."
Steven L. Holcomb
Newport News Shipbuilding Sector, Northrop Grumman
"I am so glad that I attended your class in Seattle, Washington. I have been following the TRIZ development for some time. I like the way you conducting your teaching and more importantly. I also think that you made good contribution on developing TRIZ towards an exact science.
Your TOP (Tool-Object-Product) model is much cleaner than original substance-field model for functions, and based on this new model of functions, you can actually reduce the number of standard solutions, and make those solutions more independent from subject-of-matter knowledge. This is a 'trimming of unnecessary functions' of original TRIZ, make it more coherent and easier to use. Also, this new model for functions are very compatible with other commonly used function definitions of other field, such as value engineering, axiomatic design. So eventually, it will make TRIZ easier to be integrated with other methods.
Thank you again!"
Kai Yang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department
Wayne State University
"Dear Mr. Royzen,
Congratulations on rating among the top 10 percent of more than 200 short course instructors from industry, government and academia who lectured for UCLA Extension last year! The data was recently complied from our performance evaluations for fiscal year 1998/1999.
Because UCLA Extension serves a public audience, we placed a strong emphasis on the teaching skills of our instructors. This is especially important in our computer science, engineering and technical management short courses where participants come from all over U.S. and abroad to gain important insights into state-of-the-art technology and methodology. Since industry professionals look to academic institutions to provide such insight, we greatly appreciate your assistance in meeting the challenge. Thank you again for this impressive performance, and I look forward to working with you in the future."
William R. Goodin, Ph.D.
Manager, Short Course Program
University of California, Los Angeles
"I have never appreciated another professional development engineering course as much as the three courses I took from Zinovy. The courses are immensely practical. I have applied the methods I was taught in all aspects of my engineering profession and even in my personal life. To say that the training changed the way I think about problems is an understatement. The TRIZ methodology taught by Zinovy provides structure to problem solving that would otherwise be dealt with using inefficient, random brainstorming. His courses are ideal for those who appreciate systematic methods of approaching problems. Problem solving becomes more effective and efficient as the method guides you through all possible solutions to the problem you are dealing with.
What was particularly valuable about Zinovy's training, as opposed to training from other individuals, is that he has developed and teaches the Tool-Object-Product model. This TOP model is much more logical and complete than the substance-field model more commonly taught. The materials provided in the courses are now an integral and valuable part of my engineering library."
Kim Mullen
Process Engineer, Hewlett-Packard
Certified TRIZ Practitioner
"The Basic TRIZ training course provided by Zinovy, uses his algorithmic flow and user friendly methods to guide the student through problem formulation, classification, and solution using the appropriate TRIZ tools to determine the best solution concepts. The course material is very well organized with examples detailing the use of each tool or principle. I found the course comprehensive and challenging. The Advance and Practitioner courses taught me greater understanding and developed my ability to apply TRIZ to real life problems. Since the Practitioner course I've applied TRIZ to solve problems, lead TRIZ workshops, and made presentations on the theory and benefits of TRIZ. In that time, Zinovy has continued to be an excellent mentor for me. I highly recommend his courses."
Ted Barnes
Associate Technical Fellow, Boeing Company
Certified TRIZ Practitioner
"Spirit AeroSystems has a number of employees that have taken Zinovy Royzen's courses entitled "Designing and Manufacturing Better Products Faster Using TRIZ" and "Advanced Practice TRIZ". Only through this training, a complex engine nacelle service issue was resolved very eloquently without expensive hardware changes. Being able to reach an eloquent resolution is a testament to the value of Zinovy's TRIZ methodology and training expertise. TRIZ is also an integral part of Spirit's Six Sigma projects. It provides the focus and understanding of the issue at hand to minimize team confusion and course deviations."
Joe Zenisek
Critical Chain Project Manager, Spirit AeroSystems
Certified TRIZ Practitioner
"I attended Zinovy Royzen's Advance Practice Triz Course in 2007 after having been a Triz practitioner and instructor at Kodak for about 10 years. As I expected, Mr. Royzen provided us with problems and guidance that allowed us to sharpen our skills, especially in the use of Ariz, the most powerful of all the Triz heuristics. I learned and applied many practical problem solving techniques that I will never forget thanks to Mr. Royzen's practice problems. Since returning to my job, I find that I utilize Triz and Ariz with much greater confidence, allowing me and my team to solve difficult problems in advanced product development. I highly recommend that anyone experienced with Triz who wants to take their Triz expertise to the next level, attend My Royzen's, excellent Advanced Practice Course."
William Y. Fowlkes
Advanced Development Technical Leader, Eastman Kodak Company
Certified TRIZ Practitioner
"I consider your class as one of the best training that I have been through as an engineer. So thank you very much."
Awad Gharib
Technology Manager, Danaher Tool Group
Certified TRIZ Practitioner
"It has been a pleasure using Zinovy Royzen, TRIZ Consulting, Inc. as our primary Basic TRIZ trainer within Boeing. He provides our employees with a five-day Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) workshop. Mr. Royzen's workshop has provided training to approximately 450 of Boeing's technology experts and engineers. He has provided them with the ability to apply this unique and systematic method of solving complex problem. An example, is a TRIZ workshop solution developed for the 767 Tanker (air-to-air refueling) aircraft project. As a result of that TRIZ solution, the program was successfully launched with a customer who preferred the TRIZ solution over the competitions solution for the same system, thereby ordering aircraft from Boeing. TRIZ Consulting, Inc. is highly recommended as a TRIZ trainer in the Fundamental/Basic as well as Advanced TRIZ Methodology."
Don Masingale
Internal TRIZ Consultant-Certified TRIZ Specialist
Advanced Research Engineering Program Manager, Boeing
Certified TRIZ Practitioner
"I had the opportunity and privilege of completing three of Zinovy's TRIZ classes and earned the TRIZ practitioner certificate. My motivations for learning TRIZ were both to increase my skill set and also improve my ability to innovate more elegant solutions. A specific challenge that I'm interested in is how to solve a problem with the resources at hand. As an engineer there are several paradigm shifts and benefits to learning TRIZ. The first challenge as an engineer is to shift from jumping to solution to learning to think of all possible solutions. This leads to the first benefit of TRIZ which helps you think of ideality (function is completed without harm or cost) and the big picture of continuous improvement. I really like Zinovy's method of laying out a problem with syntax showing the specific tool(s) completing both useful and harmful functions. This leads to the next big advantage of getting to an excellent understanding of functional analysis. You can quickly identify if you are solving a primary issue or a secondary level problem. The next advantage to the TRIZ methodology that Zinovy taught is once you have defined different challenges (harmful functions, insufficient functions, unknown root cause), he provides the process steps to identify all possible solutions. A TRIZ insight that I picked up is to use separation of time and space. When in time is the useful function and the problem? Where in space is the useful function and the problem? Another nice TRIZ insight that I learned is understanding how to identify conflicts and framing the ideal solution.
I have used TRIZ for several years now. My most common use of TRIZ is to lead a team through an idea generation activity for challenging problems. I find in all cases TRIZ lays out the functional analysis cleanly. This helps define what tools provide useful and harmful functions. Using the standard templates for solving a harmful product and insufficient function I can lead people to identify more and better ideas than a typical brainstorming since the method provide many solution concepts. In my experience I have arrived at elegant solutions on about 20% of the problems that I undertake. In a few of those examples I have worked with another person for less than 30 minutes and arrived at simple solutions that lead to the comment, "why didn't we think of that earlier?" In one case I arrived at a solution in 15 minutes that not only avoided a long and costly qualification that was being pursued, but provided twice the benefit as the solution that was in qualification at a low incremental cost. On half of the remaining challenges working with a team we identify promising concepts that require further evaluation to determine. The remaining half of the challenges (often the difficult on-going issues that are core to the business) the TRIZ provides the functional analysis and the comfort knowing that we have done our best to flush out possible ideas. On the most difficult issues I see the outcome as successful even when an elegant solution isn't found. I see the lack of an elegant solution also related to the limited time spent identify concepts (I limit the time for a team to prevent burnout), lack of full root cause understanding and access to additional subject matter experts.
In summary, I have found the TRIZ methodology taught by Zinovy to be highly valuable. I now routinely take on leading TRIZ evaluations for complex problems that I know nothing about. In some cases an elegant solution is found, in some cases new promising concepts are identified, but I all cases the team completes the analysis with a solid understanding of the problem and the comfort knowing that we did our best to identify all possible ideas. TRIZ is a useful tool and TRIZ has permeated my thinking. I see innovations and problems through a new lens."
Rio Rivas
Senior Inkjet Development Engineer, Hewlett Packard
Certified TRIZ Practitioner
"We have an Internal Consulting group, that Zinovy Royzen spent five and one-half days with of very thorough instruction. The last half day was spent on actual projects. It was very productive. Zinovy also spent two days with one of the consultants and me, with respective engineers on actual projects. Again the results were very rewarding.
We especially enjoyed and appreciated his systematic approach to innovation and creativity, with the use of TRIZ. We have experienced other individuals and their approaches with TRIZ. Zinovy Royzen isespecially good with helping you define and solve very specific problems and opportunities."
James E. Smith
Vice President
Corporate Quality, Melroe/Ingersoll-Rand
"I am completely sold on TRIZ is not the complete solution to working the problems the Agency faces but should be implemented as one of the "tools" available. Out of several TRIZ promoters I have had contact with, Zinovy is the best. His credentials are impeccable. He is also one of the few people I know of who are actively contributing to the science of TRIZ. We are continuing our work with Zinovy with a workshop this week at MSFC. We started this with a couple of training sessions last year with a number of MSFC employees and representatives from industry (vehicle and engine primes). I am convinced that TRIZ is real and could be of significantly benefit to NASA."
Jan C. Monk
Chief Engineer
Marshall Space Flight Center
