The TRIZ Journal

The "76 Standard Solutions" of TRIZ were compiled by G.S. Altshuller and his associates between 1975 and1985. They are grouped into 5 large categories as follows:

Careful examination of the lists in these references shows 86 items, although they have been traditionally called the "76 Standard Solutions." For examples, standard solution 1.1.8 has two distinctly different parts:

In the table below, these are treated as separate "standard solutions." Likewise, standard solution 5.1.1. has either eight or nine parts, depending on which reference is used, and they are all treated separately in this table.

The 76 Standard Solutions are generally taught in conjunction with the Su-field models, since in many of the standard problems that are solved by the standard solutions are defined in terms of their Su-field models.

Meanwhile, the 40 Principles for Inventive Problem Solving remain one of the most popular tools of TRIZ, partly because of their longevity (developed between the late ‘40’s and 1972) and partly because of their availability in English (References .) Their popularity is enhanced by easy availability—they appear in commercial software, textbooks, and through free distribution on the world wide Web (reference 1,2, 6-10.)

Table 1 is a list of the 40 principles with the correlation to the 76 Standard Solutions. We invite readers to send letters to the editor or articles (editor@triz-journal.com) with examples of the actual use of either the 76 Standard Solutions or the 40 Principles on contemporary problems.


1	Segmentation	5.1.2 2.2.2 2.2.4	Divide the element into smaller units Use particles instead of the whole object Divide the object into parts, then make it flexible by linking the parts
		3.2.1	Transition to the micro-level
2	Take out
3	Local Quality	1.1.8.2 1.2.5 2.2.6 5.1.1.5	Protect certain regions from the full impact of an action Turn a magnetic field on or off according to the local need. Change from uniform structure to a structure that is specific to the situation Concentrate an additive in one location
4	Asymmetry	2.2.6	Change from uniform structure to a structure that is specific to the situation
5	Merging	1.1.2-1.1.5 3.1.4	Additive, temporary or permanent, internal or external, from the environment or from changing the environment Simplification of Bi- and Poly-systems
6	Universality
7	Nested Doll
8	Anti-weight
9	Preliminary anti-action
10	Preliminary action
11	Cushion in advance	1.1.8.1	Use a substance to protect a weaker substance from a potentially harmful occurrence.
12	Equipotentiality
13	Other way around	2.4.6	Introduce magnetic materials in the environment, instead of into the object
14	Spheroidality or use of curves
15	Dynamism	2.2.4. 2.4.8	Make the system flexible Use dynamic magnetic fields
16	Partial/excessive action	1.1.6	Control small quantities by applying and removing a surplus
		5.1.4	Simulate the introduction of more than is acceptable
17	Another dimension
18	Mechanical Vibration	2.3.1. 2.4.10 4.3.2	Match the natural frequencies of the field with the substance Use vibration in conjunction with magnetic fields Measure changes in a system by means of changes in its resonant frequency.
19	Periodic action	2.2.5 2.4.10	Replace an uncontrolled field with a structured one. Use magnetic field resonance
20	Continuity of action	2.3.3.	Do one operation during the downtime of another
21	Skipping (do fast)
22	Blessing in disguise	1.2.2	Eliminate harmful effects (also others in 1.2)
23	Feedback	5.4.1 2.4.8	Self-controlled changes Use dynamic magnetic fields
24	Intermediary	1.1.7	Use one object to make the actions of another possible.
		2.4.9	Create structures by use of magnetic particles
		2.4.5	Introduce a ferromagnetic additive, temporarily
		1.1.2-1.1.5 5..1.1.6	Use a temporary additive, internal or external Introduce an additive temporarily
		4.1.2	Measure a copy
25	Self-service	5.4.1 2.4.8	Self-controlled changes Use dynamic magnetic fields
26	Copying	4.1.2 5.1.1.7	Measure a copy Apply additives to a copy instead of the original
27	Cheap short life
28	Replace mechanical system with fields	2.2.1 2.4(all) 2..4.11 4.2 (all) 5.1.1.2	Replace or supplement a poorly controlled field with a more easily controlled field Use of ferromagnetism and ferromagnetic materials Use electric current instead of magnetic particles Create a field that can be detected or measured Use a field instead of a substance
29	Pneumatic/hydraulic	2.4.3 5.1.1.1 5.1.4	Use magnetic liquids Use "nothing" Use "nothing" to simulate structures
30	Flexible shell, films	2.2.6	Change from a uniform structure to a structure that is specific to the situation
31	Porous materials	2.2.3 2.2.6 2.4.4	Use porous or capillary materials Change a uniform structure to a non-uniform one Use capillary or porous structures in a magnetic material, or to contain magnetic fluid
32	Change color	4.1.3	Use detection instead of measurement
		4.3.1	Measure the system by means of natural phenomena
33	Homogeneity
34	Discard/recover	5.1.3	The additive disappears after use
35	Change parameters	5.3.1	Phase change
		1.1.2-1.1.5	Additive, temporary or permanent, internal or external, from the environment or changing the environment
		2.4.12	Use rheological liquids
36	Use phase transition	5.3.2,4,5	Use the accompanying effects from phase changes
		2.4.7	Use the physical effects of magnetic transitions
		4.1.1	Control a system by means of a phase transition, instead of measuring temperature, pressure, magnetic field, etc.
		4.3.1	Measure the system by means of natural phenomena
37	Use thermal expansion	4.1.1 4.3.1	Control a system by means of thermal expansion, instead of measuring temperature Measure expansion instead of temperature
38	Strong Oxidants	5.5 5.1.1.4	Getting needed ions, molecules, etc. Includes 5.51, 5.52, and 5.53 Use small amounts of very active additives
39	Inert Atmosphere	1.1.3	Additive, temporary or permanent, external
		1.1.5	Change the environment of the system
40	Composite materials	5.1.1.1	Add "nothing"—foam, honeycomb, etc.

The TRIZ Journal

The Seventy-Six Standard Solutions: How They Relate to the 40 Principles of Inventive Problem Solving