The theory of inventive problem solving, or "TRIZ", is a system for thinking outside the box that can be used to solve problems in any field. It was developed by Russian engineer Genrich Altshuller in the 1960s and has been used extensively since then to help inventors create new and better products. The theory is based on the idea that creativity involves breaking old patterns and forging new ones, which can be done using a variety of methods including brainstorming and reverse engineering.
The 40 principles of TRIZ are as follows: