TRIZ Experts will meet again on February 18 and 19, 2027, in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany. A key topic requested in the 2026 feedback was the contradiction matrix, its further developments, and new areas of application. Thus the main theme will be “The Matrix is dead, long live the Matrix”. Currently these presentations are planned:
Thomas Bayer: Matrix Upside Down, Heatmap Approach
Thomas Bayer (WITTENSTEIN) reports from practical experience, shaped by his work on the Galaxie drive system. Based on technical contradictions in everyday development, he noticed that certain inventive principles (especially 1, 12, and 15) dominate the results of the matrix. His approach reverses the logic of the matrix and generates a heat map: Which contradictions are addressed particularly frequently by selected principles? This provides a new perspective on the effectiveness and fields of application of the principles, especially in the context of the Matrix 2003 with its categorized parameters.
Robert Adunka: Apps, Software and AI-Support
Robert Adunka (TRIZ Consulting Group, TRIZ Master) demonstrates how apps, software, and AI can support work with contradiction matrices and innovation principles, particularly in the area of idea generation.
He also offers a practical mini-workshop: Using current patents, participants learn step by step how to derive the underlying contradiction from a patent, identify suitable parameters, and systematically assign innovation principles to a matrix field. The aim is to provide participants with an exercise to deepen their understanding of the matrix.
Dr. Andreas Späth: Altshullers „lost” inventive principles
Dr. Andreas Späth (Program Director Graduate School EAM, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg) provides an update on innovation principles 41 to 50 and takes a closer look at two selected principles, which he has analysed in greater detail.
Darrell Mann: Matrix 4.0 (Matrix 2022)
Darrell Mann (CEO Systematic Innovation) presents the development line from Matrix 2003 to Matrix 2010 to the announced Matrix 4.0 (Matrix 2022). He was involved in the new edition of the Matrix together with Boris Zlotin, Alla Zusman, and Simon Dewulf. In addition to new parameters and structuring logic, the further dimension of Matrix 4.0 is discussed in particular: In addition to the ranking of inventive principles, it should become clear how strongly or how often a principle contributes to solving a particular contradiction in practice. This opens up new possibilities for interpretation and application.
Carmen Lehner: Business Matrix 3.0
Carmen Lehner presents Business Matrix 3.0, which is currently being translated into German. The focus is on transferring contradiction logic to business contexts: Which parameters and principles have been adapted, how was the data collected, and what types of problems can be addressed with it? She has worked as a patent engineer at Yazaki, among other places, and is now self-employed.
The slides are all in English to facilitate discussion during the breaks. The presentation language is based on the native language of the speakers: Darrell Mann will present in English, and all other speakers may present in German.
Please note: The TRIZ Expert Meeting 2027 is aimed at TRIZ users and innovation managers, so participants should have at least a basic training in TRIZ in order to benefit from the exchange.
In 2026, we had to raise prices in order to invite Svetlana Visnepolschi. We actually wanted to reduce prices again, but now the conference costs at the hotel have increased. The conference costs € 145 (excl. VAT) for private payers and € 495 (excl. VAT) for industry.