Discover Solutions through Dimensions, Time and Cost: DTC Operator

Dimension Time Cost Operator

Dimension Time Cost Operator (DTC) – A TRIZ tool for for seeing problems differently exploring ideas of extremes in size, time and cost. The DTC Operator can work to release Psychological Inertia.

The DTC Operator Algorithm

1. Define the problem: Name the system or the part of the system of interest.
2. Consider ideas created by DTC extremes:

Dimensions:

If dimensions were extremely large what would success look like, how would that happen, in what way could that system be developed?

• List ideas/solutions:

If dimensions were extremely small (almost gone) what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?

• List ideas/solutions:

Time:

If time were extremely long what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed? (i.e. Days, Years, Decades instead of seconds or minutes) OR If speed were extremely slow what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?

• List ideas/solutions:

If time were extremely small what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed? (i.e. nanoseconds instead of seconds) OR If speed were extremely fast what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?

• List ideas/solutions:

Cost:

If costs (not just in terms of dollars but costs in terms of downsides, harmful effects, etc…) were extremely abundant what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?

• List ideas/solutions:

If costs were extremely limited what would success look like, how would that happen, in what ways could that system be developed?

• List ideas/solutions:

Now what?

Well what do we do with all this information once we gather it?

michael cardus is create-learning