TRIZ Assignment -

First, watch the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQxlIJQCxJo (18 minutes) It walks you through how to use the TRIZ matrix. You may use the scenario from last week or you may choose a new problem. Keep in mind that TRIZ works best with complex problems. If alternatives are easily generated, then a fancy tool is of little use!

INSTRUCTIONS

Use TRIZ techniques to generate new ideas, alternatives, and potential solutions for your business problem. You may use the scenario from last week or a new scenario. You must use the TRIZ tool. Discuss the tool and your use of the techniques and the results on your problem. You should include a cover page and a second page with brief detail regarding your problem and objectives. Include the specific numbers and labels for the principles, features, etc. 

You should include a cover page and a second page with a brief summary that defines the problem, its background, and a list of objectives.

The response should be of your personal view or experience and include at least two external sources to support your views (beyond the textbooks).

The length must be at least 400 words excluding the title, problem statement, and references.

Formal writing is required using APA.

Complex Problem Assignment

The account managers (AM) do not communicate with sales engineers (SE) early in the pre-sales cycle. The lack of early engagement and communications with the SE leads to rushed deadlines and last minute changes to the Scope of Work (SOW) contract. This scenario increases the risk of material mistakes and poorly drafted contracts. How can the company mitigate these risks?

Fundamental and Means Objectives

The objectives are the proposed outcomes and goals of the decision problem statement.  I have identified the following fundamental objectives:  improve SOW, improve group cohesion, and implement a new policy.

Objectives

1. Improve the quality of the SOW sent to customers ← Fundamental objective

• Reduce material contract mistakes ← Means objective
• Reduce non-material contract mistakes

2. Improve group cohesiveness

• Improve team communication
• Improve group norms

3. Move from current state to desired state

• Create a process for the AMs and SEs to follow
• Gain senior management's buy-in on the problem statement and objectives

Background

Not every mistake in the contract would necessarily be substantial/material in the eyes of the law, for example: poor sentence structure, grammar, or spelling.  A material mistake could be in labor or equipment pricing, or missing vital requirements requested by the customer.  The account managers are very protective of their customers and tend to control the communication between the company and customers.  The account managers are responsible for maintaining the account relationship and rely on the expertise of the engineers to generate technology solutions, with equipment and labor.