Predictive Failure Analysis

The TRIZ problem solving process and algorithm can be "reversed" to very effectively and more completely deal with system, product, safety, and environmental concerns relating to products, organizations, and systems. We can also use it to provide key elements that can challenge a business continuity plan and insure its viability.

Instead of the normal TRIZ thinking process that asks for an ideal result and then looks for resources and contradiction resolution to achieve this, we invert the thinking as follows:

1. State the ideal result: We want a backup system to function properly and protect property and personnel during an emergency
2. Invert the desired result: We want the backup system to fail
3. Exaggerate the inverted problem: We want the back up system to fail all the time and cause serious personnel injuries, lost business interruption, and total loss of property
4. Ask, "How would I accomplish this?" What resources do I need? What principles would be used?
5. Evaluate and prioritize these possibilities based on resource analysis and availability
6. Solve these problems using TRIZ in its normal fashion, or if obvious solutions are available, implement them.

As with normal inventive problem solving, we use complementary cause and effect modeling software when appropriate to assist in the problem analysis.

Innovation-TRIZ has a strategic partnership with Elliot Consulting (www.elliot-consulting.com) to broaden our capabilities and ability to assist customers in the broader area of buseinss continuity planning. Elliot Consulting Services is a 3 year-old consulting firm based in the Tampa Bay area which specializes in business survival solutions. They help companies create, develop, and implement business continuity plans which are designed to protect their vital business resources and operational processes. ECS will also review, audit, and help modify a company’s existing disaster recovery model to ensure that the essential components of the organization will continue to function in the event of an unplanned disruptive incident. Finally, the team from Elliot Consulting can assist with disaster recovery training exercises to test the thoroughness of a company’s preparedness model. Elliot Consulting consultants are certified business continuity planners and business resiliency specialists with Fortune 500 experience.

Elliot Consulting is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s national vendor list of organizations providing business continuity planning services that have met the DHS/FEMA standards. In addition they are one of roughly 700 national, regional, state and local organizations that will be cross-marketing DHS’s National Preparedness Month (NPM) efforts. Additional information can be found on our website: http://www.elliot-consulting.com. To receive their monthly newsletter, go to www.elliot-consulting.com/newsroom. You'll find all kinds of helpful tips and links to assist you in making sure that your business continues through the next disaster, whether it be a hurricane, tornado, flood, or sabotage.

To see a summary article about PFA published by New and Improved, another innovation consulting group, go to www.newandimproved.com/newsletter/2015.php.

We have applied these inverted ideality tools and processes in real client situations, identifying potential threats and sources not recognized by existing internal or industry processes:

BP/Amoco
Analysis of cause of chemical release not identifiable with numerous HAZOP analyses

Food Industry
Analyses of potential lysteria bacteria contamination in cheese processing

Bank of Montreal
Analyses of potential faults in new electronic bank fraud business

Let us assist you in your business continuity and failure analysis issues!