Abstract
The objective of the project »Innovative Optimization of Process Chains (IPO)« which is conducted by the Fraunhofer IPT was to develop a system for the innovative optimization of process chains in manufacturing. The system will enable a holistic consideration and optimization of manufacturing processes that results in an innovative process design. To achieve this goal a procedure was developed that integrates classical tools of quality management as well as innovative methods for manufacturing optimization. These are among other things the tools of the so-called »Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ/TIPS)« and the »Theory of Constraints (TOC)« which promise a high profit and a relative low effort for qualification. TRIZ and TOC share the assumption that most core problems exist because some underlying conflict or contradiction prevents the straightforward solution of a problem (e.g. improving one characteristic leads to impairment of another). TRIZ especially provides tools to find breakthrough solutions (innovative process design) that overcome these conflicting objectives. TOC is a systems approach to continuous improvement of process chains. It provides a set of five powerful tools, three of them focusing on the safe implementation of solutions found for the problems of optimization, particularly since most great ideas fail in the implementation stage.