TRIZ Certificates
Certification has been discussed in the TRIZ community for some time now. It is slowly becoming clear that certificates of proficiency are necessary in order to have some sort of standard by which to measure levels of training. Since a number of different TRIZ training courses and TRIZ associations exist, there is currently some debate on what such certificates should look like. As yet, no uniform standard has been agreed upon.
I offer e-learning courses and classroom courses for the MATRIZ Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 certificates. Click here for an overview.
MATRIZ certificates
The International TRIZ Association (MATRIZ) presents a five-level concept for TRIZ education and certification according to the organization’s standards. In the overviews below, I have summarized the minimum requirements for achieving the required proficiency level certificate.
One interesting aspect of the MATRIZ concept is that it graduates are automatically qualified to educate others to a proficiency level two levels below their own. In other words, a TRIZ Master of the highest level 5 can hold training courses up to level 3. Levels 4 and 5 are no longer achievable by teaching or coaching alone. Candidates applying for Level 4 certification must submit proof of their competence to MATRIZ for evaluation.
Most of our trainers currently hold the MATRIZ Level 3 certificate, which qualifies them to teach up toTRIZ Level 1. Dr. Robert Adunka is the first and, to date, only German TRIZ Master, and currently offers courses up to TRIZ Level 2. The Level 3 courseis currently still in planning.
Proficiency level certificates from MATRIZ incur an attestation fee in each case.
Proficiency levels
TRIZ Level 1
Certification testing format: One written test.
Duration of recommended training: not less than 24 class hours in addition to independent studies
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 1 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
Classroom courses held by TRIZ Consulting Group GmbH for obtaining this certificate can be found here.
TRIZ Level 2
Certification testing format: Successful defense of a term paper and completion of a written test.
Duration of recommended training: not less than 40 class hours in addition to
independent study
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 2 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
Classroom courses held by TRIZ Consulting Group GmbH for obtaining this certificate can be found here.
TRIZ Level 3
Certification testing format: Analysis of a problem by ARIZ-85C and a written test. Plus, prior to issuing a
certificate, a 15-20 minutes long interview with an interviewer appointed by MATRIZ CEM. This interview may take place in person or via Skype or some other communication software.
Duration of recommended training: not less than 80 class hours in addition to independent studies.
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 3 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
Classroom courses held by TRIZ Consulting Group GmbH for obtaining this certificate can be found here.
TRIZ Level 4
To be awarded this certificate, applicants must convince MATRIZ of their extensive knowledge of the material and ability to apply this knowledge. In addition to 2 ARIZ examples, applicants must present a reference from a local TRIZ association and a Level 5 TRIZ Master, several of their own contributions to various national and international publications on the subject, and a number of examples of actual problems solved by them using TRIZ.
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 4 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
TRIZ Level 5
There are two ways to achieve the TRIZ Master certificate (TRIZ Level 5).
The first is to publish an academic research paper on TRIZ, i.e., a kind of doctoral thesis on a TRIZ subject. In doing so, you must either introduce a new method for TRIZ or improve an existing one. You are then invited to defend your work at a session of the MATRIZ Dissertation Council, a panel of Level-5-certified TRIZ Masters. You will be awarded the title of TRIZ Master only if you are able to convince the Council that you are able to contribute something new and valuable to TRIZ through your research.
The second way the title can be acquired is for achievements in the field of practical application of TRIZ. In this case, you must submit an overview of your practical achievements to date to the above-mentioned Council. The minimum requirements are: no less than ten independent patents, no less than ten innovation projects, several examples of your best problem solutions, copies of reviews on the practical use of your inventions, a summary of the application of aspects of TRIZ methodology in your practical work, and letters of reference from at least seven existing TRIZ Masters. You must also, of course already hold the TRIZ Level 4 certificate. If the Council recognizes the value of your work, you will be awarded the title of TRIZ Master Practitioner. Our Managing Director Dr. Robert Adunka is the only TRIZ Master who hails from a German-speaking country and received his title in the above way.
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 5 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
Innovation Master Certificate
Invention Machine Corporation launched an early initiative, providing an examination and certificate for the title of Innovation Master. The conditions of entry for the examination at the time were completed Basic Training und Advanced Training courses. In addition, candidates had to prove their proficiency in applying the software TechOptimizer and Knowledgist to projects. This was done by submitting Case Studies to Invention Machine as evidence of the competent use of the software.
The award comprised a certificate and an inscribed metal plate on a wooden plaque recognizing the recipient as the holder of the title of Innovation Master. When I received my certificate at a User Group Meeting on Sardinia, I was very pleased to have finally achieved some “official” recognition for my work.
Innovation Master certificate of the TriS Europe Innovation Academy
The TriS Europe Innovation Academy under Prof. Pavel Livotov offers a Qualification Certificate “Innovation Master”. For more information, visit www.tris-europe.com.
The course encompasses 120 hours of tuition held over a period of 10 months.
Other certificates
Samsung has its own certification concept for its developers.
ETRIA is currently considering its own certification program, but has no definite plans to date.
If you know of any other relevant certification programs with a wider scope of application, I would be very grateful if you would contact me with the details.