Solving Wicked Problems with Elegant Solutions

Cost: $1,500 USD
Online Registration
CEU's: 1.6
Instructor: David Troness

Course Overview

Course times:

• Day 1: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Day 2: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Day 3: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This innovative course explores the powerful combination of TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving), Science-Based Causal Analysis, Cognitive-Behavioral Science, and Artificial Intelligence techniques to create elegant solutions to any difficult problem. The course focuses on practical applications, equipping participants with a cutting-edge toolkit for analyzing complex systems, identifying root causes, resolving contradictions, and generating novel solutions.

Science-Based Causal Analysis (SBCA): A more rigorous methodology for understanding causes than RCA, Fishbones, FTA, and 5-Whys. It helps to identify many contradictions and opportunities.

Contradictions: A situation where improving one aspect or parameter of a system causes a deterioration in another aspect or parameter. In the context of problem-solving, contradictions are seen as the key barriers that inventive solutions must overcome, rather than simply making trade-offs.

Cognitive-Behavioral Analysis: This refers to identifying causes or parameters in a system and the related contradictions that are not within the “hard sciences”. They refer to factors such as cognitive bias, emotion, motivation, and social norms, which lead to specific behaviors that can cause failures within systems.

Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ): A systematic, data-driven methodology for innovation and problem-solving. It identifies universal principles derived from analyzing over 700,000 patents and inventions to predict and resolve complex challenges across disciplines and industries. This is a very large body of knowledge, but in this context, we mainly focus on resolving “physical contradictions” with powerful and proven “separation strategies”.

AI Tools: Using ChatGPT or Perplexity, learn the background information and prompts to facilitate any of the steps, to increase the quality, completeness, and speed of the analysis.

Text: Ball, L. TRIZ Power Tools. Open Source TRIZ http://www.opensourcetriz.com

Format(s)

With the intent of providing an incremental approach to learning, based on the student’s motivation, there is a 3-step process for the students:

1. Watch a 20-minute video that summarizes the content, goals, and next steps for learning. This could also be done with a 45-minute online presentation/discussion.
2. If the students want a deeper understanding of the process and its elements, they can attend a 3-day course. This will provide a deeper understanding of the elements by seeing how it has been used in several case studies, and finally, working through practice problems.
3. If they want to become confident, effective practitioners, as well as leaders/coaches to their colleagues, there is a 12–16 week coaching/mentoring program:
   1. This can be done individually or as part of a small group.
   2. Very flexible process to suit the students’ availability.
   3. Weekly online discussions: 1–2 hours per week, reviewing content, questions, and examples.
   4. Independent study: 3–4 hours per week, including reading and doing practice problems.
   5. Student transition to working on their work project.

Instructor Biography:

David Troness is a recognized expert in solving wicked problems with elegant solutions, using approaches that are simple, cost-effective, and uncompromising in meeting all requirements. With over three decades of experience spanning aerospace, semiconductor, energy, and manufacturing, David has consistently helped organizations and teams tackle their most complex technical and organizational challenges.

Expertise

• Wicked Problem Solving: David specializes in addressing high-stakes, ambiguous, and multifaceted problems where traditional methods fall short. He leverages advanced methodologies, including TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving), Science-Based Causal Analysis (PBCA), Cognitive-Behavioral Analysis, and Artificial Intelligence.
• Elegant Solutions: His hallmark is the development of solutions that eliminate problems at their source, without trade-offs, added complexity, or cost. David’s work emphasizes simplicity, affordability, and the preservation of all desired outcomes.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Analysis: Based on his education and experience in Applied Psychology, he analyzes cognitive bias, emotion, and motivation, which are often at the heart of behavior that undermines technological solutions.

Professional Highlights

• Consulting & Leadership: As founder of Business Engineering, LLC, David has guided clients across industries to resolve critical challenges, avoid millions in costs, and implement sustainable improvements.
• Innovation & Education: Co-author of the “TRIZ Power Tools” series, David is dedicated to making advanced problem-solving accessible. He has taught and mentored hundreds of engineers, leaders, and students, fostering a culture of innovation and resilience.
• Teaching: Besides teaching professional development courses, he taught Technological Innovation courses at Arizona State University.
• Cross-Disciplinary Impact: David’s methods have been applied to technical, organizational, and social problems—from improving manufacturing reliability to designing safer public systems and supporting community-driven innovation.

Approach
David’s approach is grounded in the belief that every problem, no matter how wicked, has elegant solutions. He combines deep technical knowledge with creative, system-level thinking and a passion for empowering others to become effective problem solvers.

Current Initiatives

• Promoting the use of AI and advanced analytics in causal analysis and solution design.
• Expanding the reach of TRIZ and elegant problem-solving methods to educational institutions and non-profits.
• Leading collaborative projects that address societal challenges, such as public safety, healthcare, and resource access, with a focus on solutions that are both practical and transformative.