| There
are two groups of problems people face: those
with generally known solutions and those with
unknown solutions. Those with known solutions
can usually be solved by information found
in books, technical journals, or with subject
matter experts. The other type is called an
inventive problem.
New
Knowledge |
|
New knowledge applied
to known problems.
Example: Replace metal by plastic. |
|
New knowledge applied
to new problems.
Example: Uses laser in CDROM |
Existing
Knowledge |
|
Existing knowledge
applied to known problems.
Example: All tasks with known solutions. |
|
Existing knowledge
does not provide solution.
We are dealing with an inventive
problem |
| |
|
Known
Problem |
|
New
Problem |
An
inventive problem
is a problem that involves one or more contradictions.
A contradiction is a situation where an attempt
to improve one feature of the system leads
to the degradation of another feature.
Examples:
• When
the strength of a mechanical object is increased,
its weight increases as well.
• A pen
tip should be sharp to draw legible lines,
but blunt to avoid tearing the paper.
• Aircraft
landing gear is necessary for takeoff and
landing, but is undesirable during flight.
The conventional
way to deal with a contradiction is to look
for a compromise or trade-off - however, there
are many examples of solutions that resolve
contradictions. This means that methods for
satisfying contradictory requirements exist
and can be exploited.
|
