Abstract
This review paper synthesizes the findings from four significant studies on the integration of Design Thinking (DT) and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) in engineering education and practice. Over the past two decades, these methodologies have been explored for their potential to enhance creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Design Thinking emphasizes human-centered design, empathy, and iterative prototyping, while TRIZ focuses on systematic problem-solving and inventive principles derived from patent analysis. By combining these methodologies, designers can leverage their complementary strengths to overcome psychological inertia, generate diverse ideas, and develop effective solutions to complex problems. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness, benefits, and challenges of integrating DT and TRIZ, drawing on case studies, experimental research, and practical applications. Key findings include the enhancement of ideation processes, improved design efficiency and effectiveness, and successful practical applications in product development. The review highlights the potential of this integrated approach to foster innovation in engineering and product development, offering a foundation for future research and practice. Despite the benefits, challenges such as the complexity of TRIZ tools and the need for extensive training are noted. Simplified TRIZ processes can help mitigate these challenges, making the methodology more accessible to non-experts. Future research should focus on developing integrated frameworks and tools, as well as conducting more case studies and experimental research to validate the effectiveness of these approaches in different contexts and industries.
