TRIZ 40 Principles Explained with Real-Life Examples

Learn Smart Ways to Solve Problems Like an Inventor!

What is TRIZ?

TRIZ (pronounced “trees”) stands for Theory of Inventive Problem Solving. It was developed by Genrich Altshuller, a Soviet inventor and engineer. After studying over 200,000 patents, he discovered that most inventions use the same patterns. From this, he created 40 Inventive Principles.

These principles are not only for engineers or scientists. You can use TRIZ in your everyday life. It can also be used in business or product design. You can even apply it at home to solve tricky problems creatively and logically.

Why Use TRIZ?

• It helps when you are stuck and can’t find a solution.
• It gives structured, proven ideas.
• You save time and effort by avoiding trial and error.
• It improves innovation and creative thinking.
• You’ll start to see solutions everywhere!

TRIZ 40 Inventive Principles (With Clear Examples)

Let’s dive into each principle with simple language and real examples you’ll recognize.

1. Segmentation

Break the whole system into smaller parts.

🧩 Example: LEGO toys are made of small pieces. You can build anything step by step.

💡 Use it when: A task or item is too big or hard to manage.

2. Taking Out (Extraction)

Remove the part causing trouble or not needed.

🎧 Example: Wireless earbuds removed the wire to avoid tangling.

💡 Use it when: Something is slowing you down or getting in the way.

3. Local Quality

Change only the part that needs improvement.

🪑 Example: Office chairs have soft cushions only where you sit, not everywhere.

💡 Use it when: You don’t need to change the whole system—just one part.

4. Asymmetry

Use uneven or one-sided designs for better performance.

✂️ Example: Scissors for right-handed people are shaped differently than for left-handed.

💡 Use it when: Uniform design is not working well.

5. Merging

Combine similar or related things.

📱 Example: Smartphones combine a camera, GPS, a music player, and a phone in one device.

💡 Use it when: You want to save space, time, or effort.

6. Universality

Make one item do many jobs.

🔪 Example: Swiss Army Knife includes knife, scissor, corkscrew, and more.

💡 Use it when: You need a multi-functional tool.

7. Nested Doll

Place one thing inside another.

🧴 Example: Matryoshka dolls (Russian nesting dolls) or stackable kitchen bowls.

💡 Use it when: You want to save space or organize better.

8. Anti-weight

Balance the weight to reduce effort.

🏗️ Example: Elevators use counterweights to lift with less power.

💡 Use it when: Lifting or moving something is too heavy or energy-consuming.

9. Preliminary Anti-action

Prevent a problem before it happens.

💥 Example: Airbags in cars inflate before the crash to protect you.

💡 Use it when: You want safety and risk control.

10. Preliminary Action

Prepare everything in advance.

🍜 Example: Instant noodles are pre-cooked, so you just add hot water.

💡 Use it when: You want to save time later.

11. Cushion in Advance

Keep backup support ready for emergencies.

🔌 Example: Surge protectors save your devices from electric spikes.

💡 Use it when: You need a safety net.

12. Equipotentiality

Reduce the effort caused by height or direction.

♿ Example: Ramps for wheelchairs instead of stairs.

💡 Use it when: You want to make movement smoother and easier.

13. The Other Way Round

Flip the usual direction or process.

🌬️ Example: Desk fans cool only you, not the whole room—faster and focused.

💡 Use it when: The normal method doesn’t work.

14. Curved Shapes (Spheroidality)

Use rounded shapes instead of flat ones.

🚗 Example: Cars have curved designs for better speed and fuel saving.

💡 Use it when: You need better aerodynamics or style.

15. Flexibility (Dynamics)

Make things adjustable or movable.

🪑 Example: Adjustable-height tables or chairs.

💡 Use it when: Fixed design limits usage.

16. Partial or Excess Action

Do slightly more or less than needed.

🍶 Example: Filling water bottles just a bit more to keep air out.

💡 Use it when: Exact action is hard or not possible.

17. Another Dimension

Use height, depth, or rotation for better space use.

📚 Example: Bookshelves use vertical space to store more books.

💡 Use it when: You’re out of room (space).

18. Vibration

Use motion or shaking to help the process.

Example: Electric toothbrushes clean better with vibration.

💡 Use it when: You need better efficiency.

19. Periodic Action

Do things in cycles instead of continuously.

🚘 Example: Wipers work periodically, not all the time.

💡 Use it when: Constant action is wasteful.

20. Continuity of Useful Action

Keep doing useful work – don’t stop.

🏭 Example: Conveyor belts move nonstop in factories.

💡 Use it when: You want continuous output.

21. Skipping

Skip unnecessary steps or parts.

🍽️ Example: Ready-to-eat meals skip cooking.

💡 Use it when: Time or steps can be reduced.

22. Blessing in Disguise

Turn a problem into an advantage.

🔥 Example: Heat from a car engine warms the passenger cabin.

💡 Use it when: Problems bring hidden benefits.

23. Feedback

Use the results to guide the next action.

🌡️ Example: Thermostats adjust heating/cooling based on room temperature.

💡 Use it when: You want smart and automatic control.

24. Intermediary

Use something in between to help.

💳 Example: Payment gateways between buyers and banks.

💡 Use it when: Direct action is difficult.

25. Self-service

Let the system work on its own.

🧼 Example: Self-cleaning ovens reduce human effort.

💡 Use it when: You want automation.

26. Copying

Use models or virtual copies instead of real ones.

🎮 Example: Flight simulators train pilots without using real planes.

💡 Use it when: The real thing is costly or risky.

27. Cheap Disposable

Use inexpensive or single use items.

🪒 Example: Disposable razors save cleaning time.

💡 Use it when: Reuse is not practical.

28. Replace Mechanical System

Use electronics or magnetic power.

📱 Example: Touchscreens instead of buttons.

💡 Use it when: Mechanical parts break or wear out easily.

29. Use Air or Liquid

Let air or fluid do the work.

🚗 Example: Hydraulic brakes use fluid to stop cars smoothly.

💡 Use it when: You need smoother and softer actions.

30. Flexible Shells or Thin Films

Use thin, bendable materials.

📦 Example: Flexible plastic pouches instead of jars.

💡 Use it when: You need portability or less space.

31. Porous Materials

Use materials with holes.

🛏️ Example: Memory foam mattresses with air holes for cooling.

💡 Use it when: You want breathability or weight reduction.

32. Color Changes

Use colors to show status or changes.

💍 Example: Mood rings change color with temperature.

💡 Use it when: You want easy feedback or alerts.

33. Uniform Materials

Use the same material across components.

🥤 Example: Plastic bottle and cap made of the same plastic for recycling.

💡 Use it when: You want easy production or recycling.

34. Discard and Recover

Throw away the used part and replace or recycle.

🖨️ Example: Refillable ink cartridges for printers.

💡 Use it when: Maintenance is easier than repair.

35. Change Physical Properties

Change size, shape, color, temperature, etc.

💡 Example: Dimmable LED lights allow brightness control.

💡 Use it when: A static system doesn’t work well.

36. Use Phase Transitions

Use melting, freezing or boiling to solve a problem.

❄️ Example: Refrigerators use gas phase change to cool food.

💡 Use it when: Temperature can help the process.

37. Use Thermal Expansion

Let materials expand with heat.

🌡️ Example: Bimetallic strips in old thermostats.

💡 Use it when: You want a temperature-based response.

38. Strong Oxidants

Use chemical reactions to release energy.

🚀 Example: Rocket engines using fuel and oxidizers.

💡 Use it when: You need high energy in a small package.

39. Inert Atmosphere

Stop unwanted reactions by using special environments.

🥫 Example: Nitrogen-filled chips packets keep food fresh.

💡 Use it when: You want to avoid decay or reaction.

40. Composite Materials

Use a mix of materials for best performance.

🚲 Example: Carbon fiber bikes are strong and lightweight.

💡 Use it when: One material isn’t enough.

Conclusion

TRIZ teaches that all problems can be solved usually in more than one way. These 40 principles are used by top companies like Apple, Toyota and NASA and also they are simple enough for you to use.

Practice using TRIZ in small problems like organizing your desk, improving your product idea or managing your time.