Relationships between TRIZ and classical design methodology

The paper shows that more similarities than differences exist between TRIZ methods and classical design methods. The solution principles of abstraction and concretion are discussed in detail and are formalized mathematically. As an example, the methodical analogies of the conflict modelling and the preparation of similarity ratios for dimensioning are pointed out. TRIZ methods are integrated in a typical model of a systematical design process. For selected working steps of the design process, the author describes alternative suitable design methods. Further, the article includes the experiences of the author concerning conflict and contradiction modelling and presents a simple manageable software tool to support the conflict modelling. A complex case study from automotive industry shows the harmonized use of TRIZ and classical design methods.