WTSP Site Introduction (TN2F-06) (B4-News2020)  

WTSP Site Introduction: "TRIZ Power Tools" (Larry Ball)

(a) Brief Site Introduction:  Toru Nakagawa (Sept. 27,2019) 
(b) Site Description (in the WTSP Standard Form):  Larry Ball (Aug. 16, 2020)
(c) Closer Site Introduction (in Free-format):  Larry Ball  (Aug. 20, 2020)

  Early history of communications wit Larry Ball
  Communications between Larry Ball and Toru Nakagawa (Aug. 12 - Dec. 5, 2020)

Posted:  Dec. 23, 2020

For going to Japanese pages, press buttons. 

 

Editor's Note (Toru Nakagawa, Aug. 17, 2020)

Larry Ball is the main author of a wonderful website "TRIZ Power Tools", coded as TN2F-06 and evaluated as ◎ in the World TRIZ-related Sites Catalogs, see (A1P) .  This page records our recent communications with him for asking him to write the site introduction.   The resultant site introductions are posted in this page and also in the WTSP Catalogs.

Note (TN, Dec. 21, 2020)  I am sorry that the present page is delayed in posting here due to some miscommunications.

 


  (0) Basic information in the Index table of the WTSP Catalogs.

  (a) Brief Site Introduction:  Toru Nakagawa (as a surveyor)  

  (b) Site Description (in the WTSP Standard Form):  Larry Ball 

  (c) Close Site Introduction (in Free-format):  Larry Ball  

  Editor's Note (TN, Aug. 17, 2020) Earlier history of communications with Larry Ball

  Communications between Toru Nakagawa and Larry Ball (Aug. 12, - Dec. 5, 2020)

Top of this page

(0) Basic information

(a) Brief site Introduction (TN)

(b) Site Introduction in Standard Form (c) Close Site Introduction in free format Earlier history Communications   Site Introduction in WTSP Catalog Close site description in WTSP Catalog  

 

 


 

  

   Basic Information of "TRIZ Power Tools" Site in the Index Table of WTSP World Catalogs

Site code Eval Site Name
Site domain URL
Site Location Site Language Role of site Single-line Description* Note; Description
TN2F-06

TRIZ Power Tools (OpenSourceTRIZ.com)   

https://www.opensourcetriz.com/  

USA en, many in automatic translation (a1) Dedicated for information sending, (e1) Method developers, (g3) Knowledge sharing  

Desc (b);
Intro (c): SiteIntro-TN2F-06-TRIZPowerTools-LarryBall.html

 

   Brief introduction of the site  (Toru Nakagawa, Sept. 27,2019)

TN2F-06    ◎    TRIZ Power Tools (OpenSourceTRIZ.com)     https://www.opensourcetriz.com/   
     Location: USA    Language: en
     Roles: (a1) Dedicated for information sending, (e1) Method developers, (g3) Knowledge sharing   

Note (TN, Sept 27, 2019): This is a wonderful system of eBooks authored principally by Larry Ball.  Introductions (e.g. purpose, usage, structure, recommendations of studying, etc.) are explained first in 4 short videos.  He met "TRIZ as an Exact Science" by G. Altshuller in 1989 and studied, used, and taught TRIZ and invention algorithms for many years, while keep brushing up his own understanding.  He posted his teaching materials in the TRIZ Journal in 2002 and its revised edition "Hierarchical TRIZ Algorithms" in 2005. 

The present eBooks "TRIZ Power Tools" were posted in May 2018, after much revisions.  The contents are mainly based on TRIZ but reflects other methods including Design Thinking, Disruptive Innovations and Marketing, Blue Ocean Strategy, Theory of Constraints, and One Simple Idea.  He says the best way to learn deeply is to recreate knowledge after your own understanding, according to modern learning theory.  All of the books and materials on this site are free.  While all of the class materials are copyrighted, they can be downloaded and printed for personal and classroom use without fear of copyright violation.  It is remarkable that the texts written in English can be translated automatically into (practically) any language with the Google translator without waiting.

The contents are composed of two big groups.  (A) Inventive Jobs (e.g., Discovering markets, Creating offerings (products/services), Designing and prototyping, Reducing offering burdens, Resolving problems, Selling of licensing your offering)  and (B) Inventive Skills (e.g., Resolving contradictions, Working with functions, Idealizing useful functions, Idealizing informing functions, Idealizing harmful functions, Discovering cause, Discovering why targeted objects are required, Mobilizing function resources, and Neutralizing harmful functions).  These jobs and skills are to be used in various ways of appropriate combinations, as guided by the eBook navigation. 
                 --- Written by Toru Nakagawa, Sept. 27, 2019


   

  Site Description (in the WTSP Standard Form)   

Site Description Form     WTSP (World TRIZ Sites Project)    (Version: 2020/6/11  TN)

    Team:     Site Code:  TN2F-06  Writer:  Larry Ball     Date: 08/15/2020

Item

Description

(Instructions)

Site Name  **     

 TRIZ Power Tools (OpenSourceTRIZ.com)

 

Site domain URL   **

https://www.opensourcetriz.com/ 

 

Site Location   **

USA

Refer the codes

Site Language   **

(en) English

Refer the codes

Roles of Site    **

(a1) Dedicated for information sending,
(e1) Method developers, (g3) Knowledge sharing

Refer the codes

Evaluation **

 

Refer the codes
Use ◎〇□△- marks

Single-line Description  *

 

 

Application phase  *

 

Refer the codes

Application Fields   *

 

Refer the codes

Methods     *

 

Refer the codes

Description of Introduction   *

This is a system of eBooks authored principally by Larry Ball with help from the rest of the coauthors. 

It is based, principally on the other books and authors cited in the sections on where the materials come from.   

Immediately on entering the website, there are 4 short videos which include:

  1. How the algorithms in the books are being continually updated.
  2. The primary sources for the algorithms
  3. Descriptions of each eBook and how they relate to each other based on a hierarchy of decisions.
  4. How to navigate the eBooks by combining inventing Skills to accomplish inventive Jobs.
  5. How to apply the eBook algorithms at different levels depending on need.
  6. How to use the examples and practice problems
  7. How to use the eBooks to create your own innovation processes.

Larry was introduced to TRIZ by reading "TRIZ as an Exact Science" by G. Altshuller in 1989.  Following that, he studied, used, and taught TRIZ and invention algorithms for many years, while continuing to read more TRIZ books and articles.

He began posting his teaching materials in the TRIZ Journal in 2002 and its revised edition "Hierarchical TRIZ Algorithms" in 2005.

The present eBooks "TRIZ Power Tools" were posted in May 2018, after much revisions. 

The contents are mainly based on TRIZ but reflects other methods including Design Thinking, Disruptive Innovations and Marketing, Blue Ocean Strategy, Theory of Constraints, and One Simple Idea. 

He believes that the best way to learn TRIZ deeply is to create your own product design and inventing algorithms after your own understanding, according to modern learning theory.

All of the books and materials on this site are free yet copyrighted.  In spite of the copyright, they can be downloaded and printed for personal and classroom use without fear of copyright violation. 

While written in English, each of the eBooks can be translated automatically into (practically) any language with the Google translator without waiting.

The contents are composed of two big groups.  (A) Inventive Jobs (e.g., Discovering markets, Creating offerings (products/services), Designing and prototyping, Reducing offering burdens, Resolving problems, Selling of licensing your offering) 

and (B) Inventive Skills (e.g., Resolving contradictions, Working with functions, Idealizing useful functions, Idealizing informing functions, Idealizing harmful functions, Discovering cause, Discovering why targeted objects are required, Mobilizing function resources, Neutralizing harmful  functions).  These jobs and skills are to be used in various ways of appropriate combinations, as guided by the eBook navigation

Free format, in 5-10 lines

Further Detailed Information

Close Site Introduction written by Larry Ball (Aug. 21, 2020): SiteIntro-TN2F-06-TRIZPowerTools-LarryBall.html  

Optional

Note of description 

 

Remarks for further revision

Note:  Adjust/expand the cell spaces as you need.
       Refer the codes in “Multi sets of Indexing Schemes for the WTSP Catalog System”           https://www.osaka-gu.ac.jp/php/nakagawa/TRIZ/eTRIZ/eWTSP/eWTSP-DatabaseSystem/eWTSP-CatalogSystem-IndexSchemes.html   (2020/6/11 TN).                ** Mandatory,   * Desirable


  

Close Site Introduction (in a free format):   Written by Larry Ball (Aug. 21, 2020) 

        

Introduction

This website describes the personal algorithms used by collaborators of the website. 

It is hoped that those that come to the site will see new methods of developing products that they can add to their own personal toolsets, processes and algorithms.

Where this Material Comes From 

The largest group of methods come from a deconstruction of classical TRIZ tools into “tool piles” used to tackle certain types of inventive problems.  It turns out that these “tool piles” can be used to perform a variety of jobs that product developers find themselves doing.

This deconstruction removes the overlap between different classical TRIZ method groupings thus allowing for further improvement of these “tool piles”. 

We all know that planting and then plowing is not a good idea.  Also, it is true of the uses of the various tools sets.  Some orders of tool use cause more churn in the development process.  The order of tool use is loosely defined by a hierarchy of decisions.

The order of tool use in TRIZ Power Tools is being constantly review through use, teaching and study to further refine the order of tool usage.

Likewise, alternative methods of problem solving are reviewed to determine where they fit in.

Many of the popular methods found in classical TRIZ are recast in a different light that will challenge the seasoned TRIZ user to think more carefully about what they are doing.

A Good Way to Learn

"Learning theory" shows that learning is the active creation of knowledge.  Strangely, everything we know, we discover for ourselves.  A teacher cannot pour knowledge into the head of her students.  Knowledge has to be created by the student and integrated into what he or she has already learned.  After many years of training people in TRIZ, this fact has become more and more clear.  The best situation occurs when a student actively studies, practices and teaches others with frequent feedback from a coach.  The student must take responsibility for the learning experience.

Remember that it is not enough to learn about TRIZ tools.  Neurobiology teaches us that skill comes from repeated focus and attention.  This means that there must be purposeful inventing and problem solving in order to become proficient.  This idea cannot be overemphasized, skill comes from repeated experience.  Conversely, it is impossible to develop skill from haphazard or occasional use. 

These books are structured for students who are willing to take responsibility for their learning experience.  It is entirely possible to train yourself if you take it seriously.  These books provide algorithms that can be used over and over. Worked examples are provided for difficult concepts.  They help explain the thinking process and provide opportunities for experience that that leads to skill.   Example problems are often provided.  The reader is strongly encouraged to work these sample problems.

Personalize This Material after Your Own Thinking

Do not be afraid to personalize these methods and tools if it makes it easier for you to apply them.  I used to be frustrated by students that would “misuse” the tools and seemingly ignore the tool formats that I provided.  Later, I noticed that only the serious students were personalizing the tools to mirror the way that they thought.  Now I question whether a student is really understanding or applying the methodology when they simply accept what I am teaching.  Customizing the tools is highly encouraged!

Don’t Be Afraid To Teach Others

If you are really serious about learning TRIZ then take every opportunity to teach others what you know.  Use the two-foot rule and teach anyone within two feet.  Do not be concerned that you are a novice.  Do not wait until you are an “expert”.   Do not be concerned that you will be considered an evangelist.  Just have fun and communicate to others that you are having fun.

Is This TRIZ?

This is a different flavor than you will get from other sources. From a historical perspective, the creation of TRIZ was extremely important.  A type of science was born: the science of disciplined innovation.  Those who bravely advanced this discipline often made great sacrifices and should be very proud of their accomplishments.  These people and the theories that they created are truly remarkable.

Early developers created competing models for solving inventive problems.  These models do not make clear distinctions between the different types of inventive problems and consequently overlap with each other. From the viewpoint of beginners, this is confusing. "Where do I begin?"  

From the viewpoint of some practitioners, overlap is a good thing as it allows a person to look at the problem from a variety of viewpoints. In effect, the same questions are asked in different ways. Those practitioners that like the overlap usually find a way to make use of everything by forming their own algorithms.

From the viewpoint of improving a science, overlaps are chaotic and confusing.  Science is the detection and use of patterns for the purpose of predicting.  When patterns overlap it is difficult to tell if something is missing or what to do with new information.  Patterns need to be distinct, with clear lines of definition and classification.  This is necessary in order to generalize predictive theories.  Science advances by observing how theory matches reality.  Supporting observations reinforce and build the theory.  Exceptions create dissonance and allow for the change of theory. 

If we want to advance the science and discipline of inventing, we need to eliminate the overlap. How do we do this?  Imagine that we take all of the classical TRIZ methods along with other important marketing and innovation processes and decompose them into individual tools.  Next, we pick up each tool and ask what type of problem does it help to solve? Piles of tools are built where each tool in a pile is related to the same type of problem.  If a pile gets too large, we subdivide the problems that the tools help solve into new piles.  We go back and forth checking and rechecking to see that all of the tools in each pile handle the same sort of problem and that the distinction is very clear between each pile.  Here is a non-exhaustive example of tool piles in no particular order.

The act of disassembling the classical methods and other innovation and marketing tools into different piles with clear distinctions allows for new patterns to emerge.  

A Hierarchy of Decisions

Up to this point, we have created a sort of inventor’s workshop.  Each group of tools sits in its own pile ready to tackle different inventive jobs.  But how do we know when to use a tool or in what order they should be used?  Whenever a job is performed, activities (where the tools are applied) must be performed in an optimum order or we mess things up.  The performance of one activity typically prepares us to perform other activities.  For instance, a farmer will prepare the earth by loosening it and grading it before planting the seeds.  Consider what would happen if this order were reversed.  Few seeds would emerge into productive plants. 

The job of inventors and problem solvers is to manipulate ideas and concepts in order to make inventive decisions.  Just like the farmer preparing the earth for planting, performing one inventive task creates information that is necessary for other inventive tasks.  If we perform these tasks out of order, then we must assume certain things.  Please remember that assumptions are paradigms. Assumptions are inventive inertia.  If we are to escape these paradigms then we must generate the required information before we perform inventive tasks.  This allows us to manage the inventive process to break paradigms. 

Hierarchy of Design Decisions

A Hierarchy of Decisions is proposed, which declares that certain decisions or assumptions must unavoidably precede others. We know this because a change at any level of the hierarchy affects all levels that follow.  Conversely, a change at a given level does not require changes at previous levels.  Following is the decision hierarchy:

  1. The Job Function (object and modification and  Requirements) that a Target Market Segment is hiring our product or service to do

  2. The Main Physical Phenomenon Used to Deliver the Job Function (Object and modification)

  3. The System Objects which Will Deliver the Physical Phenomenon  

  4. The System Architecture (Schematic) that defines the configuration of the System Objects

  5. Key Object Attributes that control how well the System Architecture works

  6. Key Object Attributes Values that deliver the Job Function Requirements

  7. The Distribution of Values of the Key Object Attributes in Space, Time, etc. (Resolution of Contradictions)

Notice that each decision of the Hierarchy is dependent upon information derived from decisions performed at previous levels.  For instance, it is not possible to know key object attributes until the decision has been made as to which objects exist in the system and what their architecture is.  Please prove to yourself whether certain levels can be performed earlier without making important assumptions too early.

If the hierarchy of decisions is correct then the innovation processes can be viewed as a management of this hierarchy.  Consider the way that most companies bring new products to market.  Notice that this hierarchy is rarely followed.  Key assumptions are made too early.  For example, it is very typical that someone comes up with an idea for a product and then requests money to develop this idea.  Please notice where “coming up with a product” falls in the hierarchy.  This product is usually shown as a schematic representation of an idea.  Consider all that was assumed in order to come up with this product idea.  What is the target market?  What are their requirements?  Many things are assumed.  Once the idea is funded, it is sent off to finishing school. 

In order to understand why this happens and why this is not a good idea, let’s look at some of the underlying business assumptions.  The first assumption is that a product which is most carefully defined carries the lowest risk.  Sometimes an engineer will show up with complete drawings for an idea.  Because the engineering work has already been done, then less engineering work must be funded.  How can we lose?  The answer to this comes in the statistics.  Even in the best run companies, the failure rate of new products and product improvements is very high.  Ideas which are presented as fully-engineered drawings fall into this trap.  A carefully prepared idea that does not support market needs is still an albatross. 

Experience has shown that when the market needs are considered first and a learning approach (approaches which verify all important assumptions before fully implementing a business model) is applied, the failure rate can be dramatically reduced.  This requires a restructuring of the research approach from one of funding product development into one of funding market development.  This restructuring can be quite disruptive and may seem more risky in the beginning. But, remember that the alternative is to have engineers assuming market needs without actually being a representative member of the market.  Having a ready engineering drawing is no substitute for having good market data.  This so-called “risky” approach of funding market development is being followed by Proctor and Gamble and other admired companies.  When we develop markets, we approach the ideal of “making what we can sell” rather than “selling what we can make”.

Innovating at higher levels often creates the need to introduce new business models in order to reach new markets. This usually requires the creation of a new business in order to avoid the disruption.  Other innovations which do not require new business models may still be disruptive to the business.  History has shown that companies that are capable of jumping the barriers will tend to have an enduring competitive advantage.  This is because competitors will find that they too must hurdle the barriers in order to catch up.  This also explains why newer ventures typically have more freedom to innovate at the higher levels.  Business models are yet to be established.

It is hoped that improvements in the theory will pay off.  We believe that this has already happened.  You will notice that many new tools, not available in classical TRIZ, are presented in these books.

Solution Branches

While each level of the hierarchy creates information required by following levels of the hierarchy, it also does not follow that only one idea will be generated at each level.  Consequently the solution process can branch into multiple paths at each level.  This leads to multiple concepts.

It also does not follow that ideas generated at each level will be successful.  In order to make any given solution path work, many constraints must be satisfied.  Sometimes these constraints are satisfied by turning the appropriate knob and slipping in under the wire.  These systems can be more “brittle” or subject to everything going right.  A better way is to satisfy the constraints by resolving contradictions.  This tends to give more leeway, making the solution path resilient.  In spite of this, there is a tendency to leave lesser contradictions unresolved and to optimize the system where it is appropriate.  Thus, each solution path evolves independently of other solution paths.  In other words, each path becomes somewhat integrated and self-consistent.

A concept evolution process can take advantage of this by allowing each of the stages of the hierarchy to remain somewhat open and subject to improvement.  Improvements in flexibility at one level also cascade to other levels.  Thus several solution branches can evolve independently with information sharing between them.

How to Get the Most Out of the Books

These are TRIZ “how to” books.  If you are using these books, it is probably because you want to develop a greater proficiency with TRIZ.  Skill is the goal and it is essential to have a good collection of tools and to know the proper application and timing for each tool.

Think of these books as references that you will come back to time after time.  They are invention and problem solving algorithms.  These algorithms are presented as steps which build on essential information gathered from previous steps.  Each step can be decomposed into finer and finer detail in a hierarchal manner, depending on the problem solving skills of the user and what the problem solver is willing to risk.  In other words, the algorithm can be as detailed or simple as the user requires.  This allows beginners and advanced users to self-train at all levels.  For some books, a condensed cheat-sheet algorithm is given.  This cheat-sheet gives all the necessary information in condensed form.  If you need deeper knowledge of the step then refer to the corresponding book.

Since it is necessary to use the algorithm over and over, it is helpful to know how to jump to the various levels of the algorithm.  The bookmarks to the left of the screen can be used to navigate the book.  Clicking on a heading takes you to that point in the algorithm.  The Cheat sheets also give the algorithm.

Keep the navigation simpler by expanding one step of the algorithm at a time.  Each level gives more detail and deeper levels.  Only go as deep into the algorithm as you feel is necessary. 

The highest level of the hierarchy is found in the six book titles.  Each title indicates a job that innovators do, in the natural order of application.  Notice that each job builds upon information from foregoing jobs.  If you knew nothing more than the title of each book, you could use the top level of the hierarchy by brainstorming each book title below.

Discovering Markets — Who your target market will be.

Creating Offerings —  Creating Offerings for the target market.

Designing and Prototyping – Creating the architecture of your baseline offering.

Reducing Burdens – Finding ways to make your offering simpler, more convenient, fewer problems

Resolving Problems – Finding ways to remove drawbacks of the offering.

Each of these jobs can be further divided into individual operations which use various inventive problem solving tools designed for that operation.  Using the different levels of the hierarchy is like the difference between a rock collector, a prospector and a miner.  The rock collector operates at the least detailed level.  It is only important to come home with a novel gem.  This is where most beginning rock collectors start and it is entirely appropriate for such a beginner to perform simple, yet exciting tasks.

Some rock collectors will begin to find other reasons to gather rocks and minerals.  Perhaps there is some money to be made in locating prospective mines and then selling them.  In order to do this, it is necessary to go beyond the skill of the rock collector.  The prospector looks at the landscape and rock formations.  She undertakes small explorations into the earth to uncover more information.  This level of activity may be completely sufficient for the prospector.  In many instances, the prospector may find great riches with minor exploration. 

If one is especially interested in getting the minerals out of the ground, it may be necessary to go beyond the tools and knowledge of the prospector.   The prospector must transition to a miner who goes much deeper and uses more advanced tools to find what he is looking for.

Each of these levels: Rock collector, prospector and miner can be achieved when you train yourself in TRIZ.  We trust that each user of these algorithms will know when it is necessary to go to the next level.

Training yourself in TRIZ is both fun and work.  Any good athlete knows that the exhilaration of success comes after much hard work.  Most of the work comes from the repeated use of the algorithm which promotes the automatic and subconscious application of the most powerful thought tools.  Eventually the brain becomes hardwired for innovation.

A Goal of Simplicity

As the tools proliferate, it becomes apparent that there is a lot to comprehend.  Making the individual steps as simple as possible is a goal of this material.

Simple Nomenclature 

As with many disciplines, the nomenclature of TRIZ is often difficult to learn.  One goal is to make the nomenclature fit ideas that the student is already familiar with.  For instance the classical name “Dynamism” is changed to “Make Adjustable” and “Local Quality” is changed to “Non-uniform.”  A certain amount of new nomenclature is unavoidable, and care has been taken to introduce it at higher levels.

Smaller Steps

Most beginners are baffled by the seemingly “obvious” target-solutions presented in TRIZ literature.  Many of these solutions are only obvious after the fact and represent large jumps in intuition.  Some teachers may feel that these large jumps are a testament to the power of TRIZ and will try to impress the student with them.  Unfortunately, many beginners are discouraged that such solutions are not as obvious to them.  One goal of this solution-process is to decrease the step size, so that solutions are the result of taking several smaller steps rather than a few major leaps.

Visualization

Along with the concept of “smaller steps” is the idea that solutions need to be visualized in order to become reality.  Each step should help the user to visualize a final solution.  Some may feel that elegance or compactness is sacrificed by expanding classical TRIZ steps, but the goal is to make the solution more easily visualized.

Completeness of Solution

The term “solution” means different things to different people.  In this book, a solution is defined as a sketch that someone could work from to design hardware.  No difficult contradictions or problems would remain to be solved.  Simply pointing out a physical phenomenon that might be used to solve a problem would not, in this context, be considered a solution, since difficult challenges would inevitably remain.

Book Pedigree

The beginning of this book series was in the early 90's as a version of ARIZ.  As more books were studied, and TRIZ authors presented additional tools, the algorithm became larger.  Eventually, by the mid 90's it had become a book.  Students pled for a condensed algorithm which was created and used for several years.  Eventually this was published in 2003 as "Breakthrough Thinking with TRIZ".  The name was later changed to "Breakthrough Inventing with TRIZ" to avoid use of the term "Breakthrough Thinking" which was copywrited by others.  

The algorithms continued to be refined and revised and a new book was published "Hierarchal TRIZ Algorithms".  Further refinement resulted in "Hierarchal Innovation Algorithms".  It was recognized that inventors perform several different Jobs and that each made use of the core tools.  The decision was made to break "Hierarchal Innovation Algorithms" into several books which each related to these jobs.  Thus the series "TRIZ Power Tools" was created, one book for each job.  Each book is meant to stand on its own, so sections of each book are repeated in the other books.  Thus a person who is involved in the job of simplifying does not need to refer to other books in the series.

Finally, it was recognized that the books had, once again, become too ponderous, especially for beginners.  The decision was made to create condensed algorithms or Cheat sheets for each of the books.

 


   

   Editor's Note (Toru Nakagawa, Aug. 17, 2020): Earlier history of communications with Larry Ball  

As the background of friendly communications with Larry Ball, I would like to write a brief history, using references posted in this "TRIZ Home Page in Japan" (THPJ). 

Larry Ball's intensive course material was first published in the TRIZ Journal in Mar. 2002, with the title of "Breakthrough Thinking".  I translated only its appendix, User's Manual, into Japanese and posted in THPJ as [1].  Author's message and profile is interesting to learn how he studied TRIZ and made the course material.  He revised his course material further and published in the name of "Hierarchical TRIZ Algorithms" in TRIZ Journal chapter by chapter starting May 2005.  Getting help by Toshio Takahara, I translated the whole material into Japanese and posted in THPJ from Feb. 2006 to Jul. 2007 [2].

At Japan TRIZ Symposium 2007, we were happy to invite him to listen to his Keynote Lecture [3].  After the symposium he sent us the annotated lecture slides and some additional documents [3]. 

 In 2014, we have published the Japanese edition of Larry Ball's course material [3] as "TRIZ Practices and Benefits" Series Vol. 3 from CrePS Institute [4].  The author contributed the Preface [5] and wrote about his on-going project, which has resulted his new website "TRIZ Power Tools". 

[1] "Breakthrough Thinking" User's Manual, Larry K. Ball, TRIZ Journal (Mar. 2003); Japanese translation by Toru Nakagawa, THPJ; Author's Message and Profile (Mar. 5, 2003)

[2] An Illustrated Course Material: "Hierarchical TRIZ Algorithms" (Larry Ball; Japanese translation by Toshio Takahara and Toru Nakagawa), Series of 14 Chapters, THPJ, (posted: since Feb. 22, 2006, finished: Jul. 22, 2007)

[3] Hierarchical TRIZ Algorithms, (Larry Ball, Keynote Lecture at Japan TRIZ Symposium 2007, Aug. 30 - Sept. 1, 2007); Annotated Lecture Slides (Larry Ball, Nov. 5, 2007) [Posted Feb. 27, 2008]

[4] Publication Announcement of the Japanese Edition: Larry Ball's "Hierarchical TRIZ Algorithms -- Illustrated Course Material from Novices to Experts" (Translated by Toshio Takahara and Toru Nakagawa, Published by CrePS Institute), THPJ, (Jun. 30, 2014)

[5] "Hierarchical TRIZ Algorithms" and Its Further Development, (Larry Ball, Preface to [4]), THPJ  (Jun. 30, 2014)

 


   

   Communications between Toru Nakagawa and Larry Ball   (Aug. 12 - Dec. 5, 2020)

  Toru Nakagawa  ==>  Larry Ball       Aug. 12, 2020

Dear Larry Ball, Hello, how have you been?
I noticed you have retired Honeywell. Which of your 2 email addresses do you prefer? May I assume that you read my recent [WTSP] Letters?

As you might know well, we, the World TRIZ-related Sites Project (WTSP), have built and posted the Beta Edition of the World WTSP Catalogs of both TRIZ sites and Around-TRIZ sites .

We are very happy to be able to list your Website as one of Most Important (◎) Websites in the world, as shown in for example (A1P) World TRIZ Sites Basic Catalog (◎) for Print .  Your site is introduced there by Toru.

Could you please write introduction to your site in your own words? Please see the instructions in .

(1) Please fill in the WTSP Standard Form for Site Description (1 page in A4). The .docx file  is attached.

(2) Please write a closer introduction in a free format. You may use figures and tables as you need. The length may be 2-5 pages (or even longer) in A4. Please use any style you think best fit for your site.
This is optional but in fact indispensable for your site. People would like to learn your way of understanding TRIZ in a much wider scope and in a well-integrated and widely applicable way.
It is clear that the existing Toru's description and your summary (1) are not enough for users to get introduced to your site. So I ask you (2) as well.

Could you contribute your manuscripts by Aug. 31? I am planning to include them in the World WTSP Catalogs to be published in TRIZCON2020 and ETRIA TFC2020. And I will post them as an independent HTML page in the WTSP site in "TRIZ Home Page in Japan".

Your method and your web site are really unique but relatively not known widely. It is the purpose of our WTSP Catalogs to make such websites widely known to (potential) users in the world.

Under so hot weather and Covid-19 pandemic, stay safe and active,
Best wishes, Toru

  Larry Ball  ==>  TN       Aug. 15, 2020

Hello, by good friend!   It was so good to hear from you.

Your description was actually very good.   I just added a little.   [Site Introduction in the WTSP Standard Form is attached. ]

Thank you for all of the great work that you do to promote systematic innovation.   You have a great legacy!
--Larry

  Toru Nakagawa  ==>  Larry Ball       Aug. 16, 2020

Dear Larry, Thank you for your message and the manuscript.
I am happy to learn that you find my introduction is good and you added words in various points.

(1) I will include your Word document in the WTSP Catalogs as it is (converting into the HTML format).

(2) Could you please write a closer introduction in a free format as I asked you in my last email?   Figures and illustrations are much clearer and more convincing than sentences.   The introduction is to be included in the WTSP Catalogs and also be shown as an independent page of my Web site.   Since this introduction will be shown together with the existing ones, you don't need any formality.   And please add hyper-links to various pages of your site, thus you don't need any details.

I would like to get your manuscript 'at your earliest convenience' (but rather 'urgently' to tell my desire). 

As you see, the contents of World WTSP Catalogs have grown only very little since Oct. 2019. Lists of TRIZ sites have not been sent from any countries.   Site introductions have been contributed by only a few site owners.   Thus the present WTSP Catalogs are not so attractive and useful for users and beginners.   I want to get real good site introductions and to post them for encouraging other people, i.e. many supporters of WTSP project.

I have been asking the same thing to a number of TRIZ Leaders/Colleagues, but unfortunately they are too busy for their many official jobs and for running their businesses.
Best wishes, Toru

  Larry Ball  ==>  TN       Aug. 20, 2020

Good luck with your endeavors.   -- Larry 
[Site Introduction is rewritten in free-format and inserted in the 'Description of Site' cell in the Standard Form.]  [Note: This interim version is not shown in this page (TN, Dec. 5, 2020).]

  Toru Nakagawa  ==>  Larry Ball       Aug. 21, 2020

Thank you, Dear Larry, for the new site introduction written in free-format and inserted in the Standard Form. 

I have just prepared a draft of the new independent page for describing your site introduction (See attached). It has my Editor's note for introducing you to the readers, and our recent communications.

Then (a) Existing brief site introduction by Toru, (b) Site Description in the WTSP Standard Form (your Aug. 15 version), and (c) a draft of Closer Site introduction in free-format.

In (c) I temporarily put your Aug. 20 manuscript.  But could you please expand it much into 5 to 10 pages?  People read this part and want to understand your site and its main contents.  The introduction should attract them and give them good guidance before visiting your site.  People decide whether to visit or skip your site by reading this introduction.

In my case of Site Introduction of "TRIZ Home Page in Japan", I wrote (1) Features and (2) Selected Articles.  In your case, how about (1) Features and (2) Power Tools and Processes.  Please illustrate your way of the job process, your way of when and how to use various tools, and your way of understanding/handling systems and their components consistently.  Please show several sections with your clear illustrations. 
If you think the introduction in 5-10 pages is too short for fully introducing your TRIZ Power Tools, please cite some of your recent papers/presentations, or else we will be very happy to receive your new paper or presentation in our "TRIZ Home Page in Japan".

Thanking you for your cooperation,   Best wishes, Toru

  Larry Ball  ==>  TN       Aug. 21, 2020

Ok, I will try again.  -- Larry

 [Site Introduction is extended much and attached as a file in the Standard Form .]
[Note (TN, Dec. 5, 2020): Unfortunately I missed to recognize this attachment file, partly because Larry's mail came back in only 29 miutes.  So my inquiry followed, after a month.]

  Toru Nakagawa  ==>  Larry Ball       Sept. 21, 2020

Hello, Larry,   How is your site introduction coming?
I would very much like to have your manuscripts as early as possible and post the new page by the end of this month.  Your site is most unique and useful among many TRIZ websites in the world.
Looking forward to hearing from you again,    Best wishes,  Toru

  Larry Ball  ==>  TN       Sept. 21, 2020

I thought that I sent it to you.  Did you not get it?    --   Larry

  Toru Nakagawa  ==>  Larry Ball       Sept. 21, 2020

Dear Larry, I now realize that you attached a file in the email of Aug. 21.   I missed it, because you wrote "Ok, I will try again". (later).   I am going to read it now.

---------

Dear Larry, I have just read your Aug. 21 manuscript.
I attach your manuscript at the end of our new page and uploaded to my site [in secret], just as I showed you last month.

(1) It is nice we can understand your philosophy about learning anything, obtaining understandings, and building our own new ideas.
(2) However, we can't get vivid images of your site from sentences alone. One of most attractive features of your site is vivid illustrations and clear logic shown with many charts. Could you please insert many illustrations (taken from the existing ones) to support your sentences?
    Piles of tools: we want to read the names of the tools .
    Hierarchy of decisions: Jobs and an example of a Cheat sheet of a Job.
    Error case in proposing a project, etc.
(3) Could you use section number in the new text? The overall structure of the new site introduction seems not clear.
(4) The structure of your method (or system of your methods) is not introduced, I feel. Readers want to get basic ideas of your method, in somewhat more concrete manner.

Anyway WTSP Catalogs is a big chance for you to promote your excellent website and your work to people in the world.
Hoping your kind cooperation, Best wishes, Toru

  Larry Ball  ==>  TN       Sept. 27, 2020

Just to be certain, have you visited www.opensourcetrees.com lately? There were a couple of comments you made that made me wonder if you had been to the site recently.
Much has changed since the initial books that I published many years ago. For instance, I no longer offer the PDF documents.
I just want to make sure that we can get on the same page. If you are thinking of my earlier works, then I will have a harder time responding appropriately to your requests.
--Larry

  Toru Nakagawa  ==>  Larry Ball       Sept. 27, 2020

Dear Larry, I visited your TRIZ Power Tools site last year and wrote its introduction [on Sept. 27, 2019], as shown in our current World TRIZ Sites Catalogs, and also shown in my recent draft [mentioned in my email of Aug. 21]. 

The most important request to you in my last email is to insert various charts/figures and to illustrate the overall structure of your methods. I don't want to be specific in my asking you.  Please take my saying as a comment from your reader.
Best wishes, Toru

  Toru Nakagawa  ==>  Larry Ball       Dec. 3, 2020

Dear Larry, How are you?  According to my email record, the emails from you on Sept. 27 and my reply on the same day seem to be the latest. Have you sent to me any email since then? If yes, could you please send it to me again?
I am now planning to post your Close Site Introduction either in the form of your Aug. 21 manuscript or in your latest version, if any.
Anyway, the Site Introductions written by the site owners may be updated at any time. Please send me your update.
Looking forward to hearing from you, Best wishes, Toru

  Toru Nakagawa  ==>  Larry Ball       Dec. 3, 2020

Dear Larry, Yesterday I visited your website again, and have found that you are enhancing and updating it much recently, since my visiting your site in September last year.
Your instruction videos are nice and your site structure is well designed with much enhanced contents, I understand.

However, since your site has so much information built in a hierarchical structure, it is not easy for me and for users to understand the overview, I feel.
In your Close Site Introduction, could you insert figures such as
    - Overall structure of your eBooks
    - Structure of Jobs
    - Piles of tools, and organized structure of tools
    - Schematic illustration of your hierarchical description of Jobs, using one of the Jobs as a sample and showing sample subsections, and sub-subsections, etc.
    - Schematic illustration of your hierarchical description of Tools, using one of the Tools as a sample and showing sample subsections, and sub-subsections etc., down to a few illustrations of sample applications.

These are just a suggestion. I am not certain if the last two schematic illustrations can be shown in a compact and illustrative manner.   Your site has charming illustrations. Please show them to your readers of the WTSP Catalogs.
I have revised the page of Site Introduction of "TRIZ Power Tools" and am going to upload it today in my Web site 'secretly' for your quick review.
Looking forward to hearing from you, Best wishes, Toru

 

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(0) Basic information

(a) Brief site Introduction (TN)

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Last updated on Dec. 23, 2020..     Access point:  Editor: nakagawa@ogu.ac.jp