Tool

The term of tool is characteristic for ARIZ – together with the product, it forms what is known as a conflicting pair, which is identified in Step 1.2 of the algorithm.

The tool is the element that directly interacts with the product, such as, for example, a mill rather than a milling machine, or a flame rather than a burner. Sometimes, a specific part of the environment can be considered as a tool. The standard parts from which the product is assembled can also be considered as a tool.

In terms of state-of-the-art TRIZ, the tool is the component of the system performing main function. It immediately evokes associations with the carrier of the function that significantly facilitates quick identification of it. The difference in terminology between ARIZ and function analysis stems from the fact that, in 1985 – when the final version of ARIZ was developed – function analysis had not yet been officially introduced into the TRIZ toolkit. Even after it became a standard TRIZ tool, Altshuller’s original terminology was preserved in ARIZ to maintain consistency with the original structure.