Problem-identification tools

The goal of the first stage of the project is to analyze the engineering system and identify the “right” problems to solve. These are deep, hidden issues that represent the root causes rather than the symptoms and are typically not obvious at the beginning.

The outcome of the whole analytical block is a list of key problems that have to be solved during the problem-solving stage to achieve the goal of the project.

According to MATRIZ methodology, the problem-identification toolbox consists of the following tools:

fuction-cost analysis,
flow analysis,
cause-effect chain analysis (CECA),
trimming,
feature transfer,
S-curve analysis, and
trends of engineering system evolution (TESE) analysis.

A tool that is also used at this stage of the project is innovative benchmarking.

The selection of tools and the order in which they are used should always be tailored to the project’s goal. Projects aimed at developing a new, patentable solution may be conducted differently than those focused on improving an existing system.

Problem-identification tools

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