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General Theory on Powerful Thinking (OTSM): Digest of Evolution, Theoretical Background, Tools for Practice and Some Domain of Application

Abstract

OTSM is a Russian acronym proposed by Genrich Altshuller to describe the next evolution of Classical TRIZ. The acronym can be translated into English as the “General Theory on Powerful Thinking” Mr. Altshuller proposed the idea to transition from Classical TRIZ to OTSM in the mid 1970‘s. Some background ideas for this transition were developed in the 1980‘s, initiating the formal development of OTSM. Altshuller considered Classical TRIZ had matured as a theory about creating tools for solving technical creative (non-typical) problems. When people began using a TRIZ-based toolbox for non-technical applications, Altshuller posed the question: “How should TRIZ be transformed from a theory for solving technical problems into a domain-free theory for solving complex generic problems?” In this paper the results of 25 years of OTSM research are summarized with proposed directions for further development.

Video on YOUTUBE

 

 

Separate page on Khomenko's One-day Seminar on TRIZ HOME PAGE in JAPAN

Outline of Khomenko's Seminar Slides (by T. Nakagava)

Part 1
Introductory Section title Subjects, contents
  General Theory on Powerful Thinking (OTSM): digest of evolution, theoretical background, tools for practice and some domains of application. Who is Nikolai Khomenko?
Before we start Real Life Example of OTSM Based Toolbox Application Example: an exchangeable torch (photos and video)
What main tools of OTSM based toolbox were used.
Some of background ideas of Classical TRIZ and OTSM. What We Do When We Solve Problems

Case study (1): The Stirring engine
Law of evolution: Transition to super-system
Case study (2): An umbrella

Part 2
What was before the journey…. OTSM Debut Idea by Altshuller

Altshuller's paradigms for non-typical problem solving
Evolution of classical TRIZ from simple technique to OTSM Problem Flow Networks (PFN) approach
What is OTSM?
Altshuller's background ideas on OTSM

Just to remind you Classical TRIZ as an Applied Scientific Theory for Creating Tools That Avoid Us Make Lot of Trials and Errors While Solving Non Typical Problems. A structure of an applied scientific theory
What for do we need applied science in general?
How could we understand where is good solutions without useless trials and errors?
Why OTSM & TRIZ processes usually bring advanced solutions
Complete "Tongs" model
Example: Library's problem
Part 3
What should be a structure of the new applied science?
Analogy with Classical TRIZ.
Starting Point of the Journey from TRIZ to OTSM What is the key problem to be solved by OTSM?
How the key problem was resolved in the course of OTSM evolution?
Understanding the core of the Canonical Procedure . What Canonical Problem Underlining Every Non Typical Problem Solving Process? What do various problem solving processes have in common?
What do we do when we use the most universal 'Trials and Errors' method to solve particular problems?
Summary about key problem to be solved by OTSM
Next stop of the journey – OTSM Axioms OTSM Axioms - The Most General Rules We Have To Keep in Mind When Use OTSM Toolbox OTSM Axiom of descriptions (Models)
Which model is better?
What makes a problem difficult?
OTSM Axiom of the core of our problems
(Part 4) OTSM Axiom of Impossibility
Conclusion: How can we break objective law?
All eight OTSM Axioms
OTSM Axiom of independent observers
Part 4
Next stop of our journey – Models of an applied theory Fundamental Models of OTSM We Have to Keep in Mind When We Use OTSM Toolbox or Derive New One for the Theory and New Tools Development Fundamental OTSM Models
Classical TRIZ: Scheme of Powerful Thinking
What model can we use to describe something? OTSM ENV Fractal Model Common life usage: name of element and list of its features
Model useful for problem solving: Element - name - value (ENV)
Fractal example
ENV representation of classical TRIZ System Operator
OTSM advanced schema of powerful thinking
What make a problem difficult? OTSM Fractal Model of a Problem Solving Process  
Next Stop – OTSM Toolbox.
From problem solving to a problem flow managing
The Most General Domain Free Tools for Complex Interdisciplinary Problematic Situation Managing Most general OTSM based tools
Example: Fragment of an interdisciplinary network of problems
How the network can be developed? (demos)
SOme other OTSM based supplementary tools
How fulfill Step 1.1. of ARIZ in the best way? Super Short Introduction to OTSM Express Analysis of an Initial Situation Function (goals) hierarchy
OTSM Function definition: 3 steps algorithm
Law of Completeness: OTSM interpretation
OTSM negative system technique
Positive (desirable) system versus Negative (undesirable) system
OSM ENV Diagram for problem description - Step 1.1
Independent observer stage: Summary about previous steps (analog ARIZ 1.1)
  General Schema of OTSM Problem Solving Process OTSM-TRIZ model of knowledge processing
General model f OTSM problem modeling process: selecting a problem to be solved
OTSM PFN approach
Third generation of the OTSM toolbox in the process of development Application OTSM PFN Approach for Complex System Modeling.  Integration Qualitative Methods with Quantitative Methods. Model building steps in the integrated, interactive energy planning
Part 5
How can we know what tools of OTSM-TRIZ should be implemented for certain particular moment of a problem solving process? Black Boxes of OTSM Instrument of OTSM-TRIZ as black boxes
Black boxes stimulate our mind to generate PCS (Partial Conceptual Solution) and converge them into SCS (Satisfactory Conceptual Solution )
How does it work?
"Tongs" model & contradiction
"Exaggeration" technique
"Gold Fish" technique
"Network of Problems"
For beginners it seems like a chaos.
But it is just hard intellectual work.
Managing Creative Chaos Creative chaos in classical TRIZ
OTSM Chaos and self-organization of a problem solving process
Model of the human mind we used in our research
Domain Free Thinking tools do possible and have been already tested Where OTSM Tools Were Tested? Where OTSM tools were tested?
Education to solving non typical problems can not be the same as education to solving typical problems! Classical TRIZ and OTSM Education Should Be Different from Traditional.  Why? Breakthrough in OTSM-TRIZ Education: Narrow focus mind expertise versus open mind
OTSM-TRIZ Education: Linear education versus nonlinear education
OTSM-TRIZ education - Problem centered education
Education dilemma which mind is better: well-filled in or well-organized?
Well organized mind
Creativity is a Horizon (Sky Line) Last But Not Least:  What Is Creativity?  OTSM Standing Point. What is creativity?
You are welcome to a new opportunity world!