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12 General Principles
Expansion - Reduction

Increase or reduce the number of functions in a system or process.

Increase or reduce the amount, duration, cost, speed or other properties of a process.
 

HINT:
  1. Invert the processes - turn them ''upside down''.
  2. Increase or reduce the number of dimensions in a system: instead of a single level (layer, floor etc.) build a system with several levels (layers, floors etc.).
  3. Perform a transition of a rectilinear development (movement) to a development (movement) in a flat plane (two-dimensional) or in space (three- dimensional).
  4. Consider time as a forth dimension.
  5. Try to nest several multi-dimensional objects inside one another according to the Russian Doll principle. Utilise unexposed surfaces (e.g. reverse sides).
  6. Change the colour, brightness and sharpness.
  7. Related technical TRIZ Principles: 7. Nesting (Integration) , 13. Inversion , 17. Shift to another Dimension , 32. Changing Colour , 35. Transformation of the physical or chemical properties.
EXAMPLE:
  1. To get to the ladies toilets in a department store, the ladies have to pass through the men's clothing department. In Casino hotels, to get to the reception, the toilets or the restaurant, you have to pass the slot machines.
  2. A combination of different services at a motorway service station: petrol station, car repair centre, restaurant and motel, banks, Internet, sports and recreation, etc.
  3. Levels of knowledge in a company 1) Basic knowledge and experience 2) Expertise 3) Process management 4) Company strategies
  4. A policy of expansion during an economic recession instead of cutbacks.
  5. Change your perspectives! Look at your company or your services through the eyes of others e.g. a customer, a subcontractor or a competitor etc.