Dynamic inventive problem solving, an approach based on system dynamics and TRIZ

• A methodology that combines TRIZ with the System Dynamics approach • A methodology applied to solve inventive conflicts modeled as contradictions • Solving technical and physical contradictions using continuous simulation • Analyzing the behavior of technical and physical contradictions through time • Application of simulation to analyze conflicts and the impact of a potential solution Present-day organizations face complex and challenging problems. The ability to anticipate not only a problem's impact but also a potential solution's effect is crucial for advising on appropriate changes and making better decisions within a system. Therefore, different approaches, techniques, and more efficient decision-making processes are essential for problem-solving. One type of complex problem that requires new methodological approaches is inventive conflicts, which arise when the attempt to improve a specific parameter causes unacceptable degradation of that parameter or another useful parameter in the system. This article proposes a new methodological approach capable of providing solutions to inventive problems based on the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) and the Systems Dynamics (SD) approach. A case study focused on resolving energy-inventive conflicts in a glass-melting furnace in the glass bottle-making industry illustrates the proposed methodology. This methodology presents novel advantages as it analyzes the resolution of inventive conflicts over time using dynamic simulation, a capacity that improves decision-making. The case study demonstrates that solving contradictions is a helpful strategy and that increasing process temperature (between 10°C and 20°C) reduces the number of trapped air bubbles in the molten glass mixture, enhancing product quality. Furthermore, the simulation model allows for exploring scenarios that reveal that increasing the amount of crushed glass in the silica sand mixture by 10% reduces the total energy used during the melting process by 1.5% to 2.5%.