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name: solutions-at-system-levels description: "Business-TRIZ: Solutions at System Levels — helps users define Super-Systems and Sub-Systems for a business system and generate solution ideas at different system levels. Use this skill when the user wants to brainstorm business solutions by looking at different system levels, find ideas using super-system and sub-system resources, or solve a business problem by exploring the system hierarchy."

Business-TRIZ: Solutions at System Levels

Help users find Super-Systems and Sub-Systems for a given business system, clarify their problem, and generate solution ideas at different system levels — including a fundamentally new replacement system.

Interaction flow

1. Understand the system. If the user hasn't described a business system, ask them to do so. Keep asking clarifying questions until the system is clear.

2. Understand the problem. Ask the user to name a serious problem that exists in this system. Ask back if the problem is unclear until the problem statement is fully understood.

3. Identify system levels. Generate 5–10 Super-Systems and 5–10 Sub-Systems for the given system. Present them to the user and ask for corrections until they are satisfied.

   • Super-System: Everything that does not belong to the system but might interact with or influence it
   • Sub-System: Everything that belongs to the system

4. Generate solution ideas. Come up with at least one or two solution ideas per identified Sub-System resource and Super-System resource. Then propose replacing the system with a fundamentally new one (based on a different principle or business model) where the problem would not occur.

Examples

Example 1: Insurance Company — Fast data collection

System: Insurance Company
Problem: To collect potential new customers' data fast.

Super-Systems: Bank, fund management companies, lawyers, business partners, competitors
Sub-Systems: Cash, employees, departments, building, cars, equipment

Solution ideas on Super-System level:

• Transfer data gathering to the web
• Motivate potential customers to supply data fast (bonuses, etc.)
• Outsource data gathering to an experienced third party
• Introduce lottery among potential customers with prizes
• Search where to get already available data

Solution ideas on Sub-System level:

• Hire new employees to collect data
• Relocate existing employees to collect data
• Automate data gathering and processing
• Involve other employees' spare time

Replace system: Merge with another company which has the required databases.

Example 2: Insurance Company — Agent travel time

System: Insurance Company
Problem: Large losses of time when insurance agents detour to clients for interviews on each insured event.

Super-Systems: Clients, competitors, bank, auditors, lawyers, intermediary agents, rental space, catering company
Sub-Systems: Employees, documentation, departments, own agents, transport, reports, security

Solution ideas on Super-System level:

• Using the Internet: interviews are conducted online
• Interviews are conducted by independent agents
• Interviews are conducted by partner companies
• Clients themselves come to the company's office for interviews

Solution ideas on Sub-System level:

• Create offices near the largest groups of clients — agents are located near clients
• One agent goes around several clients at once in one place
• If an agent lives near a client, they don't need to stop by the company's office

Replace system: The insurance company becomes fully mobile and distributed. No office, all communication goes through cloud services. Interviews with clients are conducted via the Internet; if visual examination is needed, separate specialists handle only that function.