Triz - a systematic approach to enhancing and accelerating creativity

TRIZ is the Russian acronym for Theoria Resheneyva Isobretatelskehuh Zadach i.e., Theory of Inventive Problem Solving. It is based on 2 fundamental principles:
1. There is a high probability that somebody, sometime, somewhere has already solved your problem or a problem similar to it; enhancing creativity means finding that solution and adapting it to your current problem
2. Never accept compromise when dealing with contradictions. Resolve them.

TRIZ was developed by G.S. Altshuller and his colleagues between 1946 and 1985 in the former USSR and its fundamental assumption is that, basically, creativity is not something spontaneous and intuitive, but can be a systematic process that relies on the study of the patterns of previous problems and their solutions. More than 3 million patents were analyzed to identify the patterns that predict breakthrough solutions to various problems.