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ideaTRIZe® Challenge Questions

How to Use ideaTRIZe: Two Key Steps

Step 1: Identify the Type of Problem You Are Trying to Solve

Not all challenges require the same approach—misdiagnosing a problem leads to ineffective solutions. ideaTRIZe classifies problems into three categories:

  • BREAK → Process challenges (e.g., optimizing efficiency, reducing lead time, improving quality).

  • CHANGE → Experience challenges (e.g., rethinking customer interaction, reinventing strategy).

  • MANAGE → Predictability challenges (e.g., improving communication flow, scaling operations, managing uncertainties).

Correctly identifying the challenge is the foundation of structured problem-solving.

Step 2: Ask Challenge Questions

Ideas don’t emerge from randomness—they are triggered by strong stimuli. The better the stimuli, the stronger the cognitive triggers, leading to higher-quality solutions.

✔ Weak stimuli → Surface-level, obvious ideas.
✔ Strong stimuli → Deep insights, breakthroughs, and unexpected solutions.

To generate high-impact solutions, ideaTRIZe uses structured challenge questions tailored to each problem type.

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Better Ideas, Faster

 
BREAK: Fixing or Optimizing a Process

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Use these questions when trying to improve efficiency, remove bottlenecks, or simplify workflows.

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  1. How might we eliminate an unnecessary step, component, or error?

  2. How might we multiply the benefit by repeating a step but changing something?

  3. How might we split this process into smaller independent steps/processes to improve control?

  4. How might we subtract the most important part yet gain some "other" benefit?

  5. How might we separate & specialize parts of the process to improve speed or quality?

  6. How might we combine similar tasks or systems to streamline operations?

  7. How might we run multiple tasks in parallel (at the same time) to speed things up?

  8. How might we give existing resources (people, machine, bot, macro etc.) additional roles instead of adding new ones?

  9. How might we speed up the bottleneck / slowest part of the process?

  10. How might we reduce waiting time or preparation/setup effort?

  11. How might we make it easy to self-serve to reduce dependency

 
CHANGE: Transforming the Experience

 

Use these questions when tackling experience-driven challenges, such as rethinking customer interactions, business models, or engagement strategies.

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  1. How might we increase/decrease uniformity or symmetry to change structure?

  2. How might we make it fixed vs. customizable based on user preference?

  3. How might we invert the whole process—shift from mobile to fixed or vice versa?

  4. How might we add a new dimension to make this more engaging or useful?

  5. How might we synergize to align with customer needs dynamically?

  6. How might we make each part/person fulfill a different function for optimization?

  7. How might we use intermediaries/neutral parties—outsource or partner to improve effectiveness?

  8. How might we leverage the intangible—use branding, perception, or psychology?

  9. How might we measure success differently—using alternative metrics?

  10. How might we change how often this happens—doing it more or less frequently for better results?

 
MANAGE: Improving Outcomes and Handling Uncertainty

 

Use these questions when tackling experience-driven challenges, such as rethinking customer interactions, business models, or engagement strategies.

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  1. How might we empower humans/machines to take their own decisions?

  2. How might we communicate information better across teams?

  3. How might we redesign how information flows—improving bottom-up, top-down, and horizontal communication?

  4. How might we add buffers to manage uncertainties in the process?

  5. How might we manage dynamics (information, situation, relationships, etc.)?

  6. How might we benchmark both inside & outside the industry—not just outcomes but processes?

  7. How might we use flexible staffing models to scale with demand?

  8. How might we reduce the effect of noncritical steps for faster execution?

Why ideaTRIZe Works
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  • Step 1 ensures the right problem is identified.

  • Step 2 provides structured questions that activate deeper thinking.

  • Applying the framework eliminates vague brainstorming and drives breakthrough insights.

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