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Applying ideaTRIZe® for better ideation

Do you know your problem well?

ideaTRIZe® helps you find better ideas faster, but where you start depends on how much you already know about the problem you’re solving.

Choose the approach that best fits your situation:

  1. You Already Know the Root Cause (Structured Approach)

  • You’ve reviewed process maps and data, conducted root cause analysis, and identified the main inefficiencies.

  • Now, apply ideaTRIZe® challenge questions to find innovative solutions.

  • Best suited for process optimization, operational efficiency, and fixing known gaps.

Example: You’ve identified approval delays as the problem → Use BREAK challenge questions to eliminate unnecessary steps.

    2. You Want to Brainstorm Quickly Without Deep Analysis

  • You know the process well and have some data (e.g. how much time each step takes etc).

  • You want to skip deep root cause analysis and jump straight to ideaTRIZe® challenge questions for fresh solutions.

  • Works well for team brainstorming, efficiency improvements, and practical decision-making.

Example: You want to reduce delivery lead time → List all process steps and use BREAK challenge questions to improve efficiency.

   3. You are not sure where your problem lies (Exploratory Ideation)

  • You see symptoms like customer churn or inefficiencies, but you’re unsure about the root cause.

  • Instead of analyzing deeply, use broad challenge questions to explore possible solutions.

  • Works best for business strategy, customer experience, and operational adjustments.

Example: Your marketing engagement is dropping → Use CHANGE challenge questions to test new messaging strategies.

  4. You Want Fresh Thinking for Strategy & Innovation

  • You’re not solving a problem—you just want new ideas and fresh directions.

  • Use ideaTRIZe® challenge questions as creativity triggers, not for troubleshooting inefficiencies.

  • Works best for business growth, product innovation, and conceptual thinking.

Example: You’re exploring ideas for a new subscription model → Use MANAGE challenge questions to rethink pricing strategies.

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You don't know where your next BIG idea trigger is going to come from

Applying ideaTRIZe® Challenge Questions

Choosing the Right Challenge Type

  • BREAK → Optimizing a process, improving efficiency, eliminating unnecessary steps (tangible improvements in structured workflows).

  • CHANGE → Reframing an experience, shifting perspectives, redesigning interactions (intangible shifts, customer perception, emotional design).

  • MANAGE → Handling complexity, improving information flow, adapting to dynamic situations (data, decision-making, unpredictable conditions)

If you're unsure where to start, begin with the area that feels most critical to your challenge.​

Better ideas faster

Better Ideas, Faster

Dos & Don'ts for Effective Ideation

Do These to Unlock High-Impact Ideas

  • ideaTRIZe challenge questions can be used in any type of brainstorming method, it will improve the outputs.

  • Start with a well-phrased challenge question. Make it actionable—avoid vague problems like "How do we improve efficiency?" and instead ask "How might we eliminate redundant approvals to speed up decision-making?"

  • Push past obvious solutions. The first few ideas are often predictable. Challenge yourself to go deeper—use multiple challenge questions if needed.

  • Encourage diverse thinking. Gather input from multiple perspectives—different roles bring unexpected insights.

  • Use multiple challenge questions- these are just triggers!

  • Set a fixed time ...say 5 min per challenge question (don't extend it)

  • Test ideas quickly. Prioritize feasibility, impact, and ease of implementation before scaling an idea. Prototype where possible.

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Better ideas, faster—start your structured ideation today!

Avoid These Common Pitfalls

  • Jumping straight to solutions without refining the problem. Make sure you’ve defined the challenge properly before selecting a challenge question.

  • Stopping at the first idea. Creativity takes time—don’t settle for the first answer. Keep iterating until you find a breakthrough concept.

  • Applying all challenge types at once. Focus on BREAK, CHANGE, or MANAGE separately before layering them together.

  • Forgetting to validate ideas. Ensure your proposed solutions are practical before implementation—what works conceptually may need tweaking in practice.

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Better ideas, faster—start your structured ideation today!

ideaTRIZe® Breakthru Examples

​​Many groundbreaking innovations mirror the principles behind ideaTRIZe® challenge questions, even though the companies didn’t consciously use the named method. These examples prove that structured ideation leads to real-world breakthroughs

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Contactless Payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Tap-to-Pay Cards)

  • Challenge Question Applied: "How might we make it easy to self-serve?"

  • Innovation: Eliminated the need for physical cash or card swiping, allowing instant transactions with a simple tap. 

Voice Assistants (Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant)

  • Challenge Question Applied: "How might we reduce the effect of noncritical steps?"

  • Innovation: Users can control devices, search information, and set reminders hands-free, eliminating manual interactions. Typing the search query was the non-critical step.

Ride-Sharing Apps (Uber, Lyft, Ola)

  • Challenge Question Applied: "How might we use intermediaries or neutral parties?"

  • Innovation: Connected drivers with riders directly, eliminating the need for traditional taxi dispatch systems.

Streaming Services (Spotify, YouTube, Netflix)

  • Challenge Question Applied: "How might we manage information flow to be smoother and meaningful?"

  • Innovation: Personalized recommendations help users discover content effortlessly, replacing manual browsing.

Smart Home Devices (Thermostats, Security Cameras, Automated Lighting)

  • Challenge Question Applied: "How might we add a dimension to enhance usability?"

  • Innovation: Automated controls adjust temperature, security, and lighting based on user preferences, improving convenience.

ideaTRIZe® in your workplace examples 

Thinking that ideaTRIZe® only works for large companies?
Let’s look at real-world applications of ideaTRIZe® challenge questions—chances are, you’ve already seen them in your own workplace!

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How Might We Make It Easy to Self-Serve? – BREAK Question 4

✔ Application: Automating new hire form-filling, enabling employees to submit their documents through a self-service HR portal, reducing administrative workload.

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How Might We Reduce the Effect of Noncritical Steps? – MANAGE Question 8

✔ Application: Streamlining Internal Approvals – Removing unnecessary sign-offs for marketing campaigns, reducing turnaround delays.

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How Might We Use Intermediaries or Neutral Parties to Improve Effectiveness? – CHANGE Question 7

✔ Application: Outsourcing Payroll & Compliance Management OR get consulting from us on innovation :-)

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How Might We Add a Dimension to Enhance Usability? – CHANGE Question 2

✔ Application: AI-Driven Employee Assistance – HR chatbots offer instant guidance on policies, benefits, and queries, improving internal support.

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How Might We Benchmark Both Inside & Outside the Industry—Not Just Outcomes, But Processes? – MANAGE Question 6

✔ Application: Retail business might adopt airline dynamic pricing models to optimize discounts

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Apply ideaTRIZe® to Your Workplace Now!

  • Want to automate tasks? Use BREAK challenge questions.

  • Need to enhance employee & customer experiences? Apply CHANGE challenge questions.

  • Looking to streamline business operations? Try MANAGE challenge questions.

Unlock smarter solutions faster with ideaTRIZe® today!

ideaTRIZe® Applications across Industries 

ideaTRIZe® only works across industries, functions, and multiple use cases, here are some examples: 

Business Strategy & Process Innovation

•             Optimize workflows by breaking down complex processes.

•             Create disruptive strategies by redefining traditional models.

Product Development & Design Thinking

  • Push usability boundaries with innovative product strategies.

  • Develop scalable solutions tailored to evolving user needs.

Advertising & Consumer Behavior Shifts

  • Change consumer perceptions through creative storytelling.

  • Use psychology-driven engagement for stronger brand messaging.

Digital Platforms & AI Personalization

  • Optimize data-driven decisions for better user experiences.

  • Reshape AI personalization models for adaptive engagement.

Supply Chain & Logistics Optimization

  • Enhance predictive analytics to anticipate demand fluctuations and reduce inventory bottlenecks.

  • Automate procurement workflows to streamline vendor coordination and minimize delays.

Healthcare & Medical Innovation

  • Improve patient care pathways by eliminating redundant steps in diagnosis and treatment.

  • Leverage AI-driven personalization for tailored healthcare recommendations and predictive diagnostics.

Financial Services & Risk Management

  • Redesign fraud detection models using AI-powered anomaly detection.

  • Optimize approval workflows for faster loan processing and credit risk assessment.

Human Resources & Employee Experience

  • Automate onboarding processes to reduce administrative workload and improve new hire integration.

  • Use behavioral analytics to enhance employee engagement and retention strategies.

Retail & E-Commerce Strategy

  • Implement dynamic pricing models based on real-time consumer behavior and competitor benchmarking.

  • Enhance personalized shopping experiences through AI-driven recommendations and adaptive promotions.

Education & Learning Innovation

  • Develop adaptive learning platforms that personalize content based on student progress.

  • Use gamification techniques to improve engagement and knowledge retention.

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Apply ideaTRIZe® for your use case today!

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