Examples
InnovationWorks is a software package that implements the leading edge innovation technique, the Design Breakdown Structure (DBS). The most obvious area of application is in new product development, or other engineering context. However, the DBS can be used in non-engineering problem solving. Brief examples of both Social and Engineering problems are given below. Each example also gives a link to a more in depth explanation of InnovationWorks in practice, as well as the innovation principles used.
Press release of Real world example.
Social
When looking for a job change most of us can treat this as a simple, tame problem. We treat them as tame problems because we move from one job to another very similar job, usually for a bit more money.
But what happens when the situation is more complicated? What if you could stay in a low paying, fun job with lots of free time; or take a full time stable job that pays enough to get by, or a job that pays well but has a very uncertain future. Any choice effectively excludes the others and redefines the problem, a truly wicked problem.
InnovationWorks helps with the ranking and scoring of each 'feature' for all the jobs and selection of the 'best choice'. Although the ranking could be done in a spreadsheet the visual aid of the breakdown structure aids red, black and yellow hat thinking.
Try the free download of InnovationWorks to find out why it's "so good it's wicked".
Trailer Stability
Trailers are commonly 'stabilised' behind towing vehicles using simple damping devices that utilise 'friction pads' (or brakes) around one of the pivot points between the trailer and the tow vehicle. One limitation of this approach is that the device is not 'self-correcting', which would involve forcing the trailer back in line with the towing vehicle.
The application of TRIZ and other creativity techniques quickly gives rise to a ‘stabiliser’ that uses a hydraulic piston to realign the trailer. The DBS gives powerful memory and optioneering elements during the development.
Although a commercial product is available this link shows how InnovationWorks could have been used to develop a similar product [link]. This example shows how InnovationWorks can provide a strong project memory and allow concepts to evolve on paper without the expense of prototypes
