Improving product ideation among engineering undergraduates using TRIZ and design thinking

Design methodologies like the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) enable engineers to conceptualize diverse solution ideas. However, TRIZ needs to be more effective in selecting the right product or design problem to start off with. Design Thinking can complement by encouraging the development of empathy with the product users to better understand their problems. Existing research on the integration of TRIZ and Design Thinking are limited in terms of the general coverage of only the basic tools and are specific to only certain types of products. This research aims to address these limitations by proposing a TRIZ and Design Thinking (TDT) Framework that integrates most of the fundamental tools of TRIZ and are easily learnt and applied to ideate across diverse product types by even undergraduate university students with limited technical knowledge. To achieve this, Design Thinking and TRIZ was embedded into a unit taught at Monash University Malaysia. Gerontechnology-themed case studies were developed by the unit's 224 students. Over 320 diverse ideas before conceptualized by the students before converging into 32 product concepts. The TDT Frameworks has led the students to conceptualize solutions that improve the product main functions as well as supporting functions which are desired by the targeted users.