TOPIC AND SPEAKER:
Ellen Domb, Ph.D., editor of The TRIZ Journal, http://www.triz-journal.com, and the principal TRIZ consultant for the PQR Group in Upland, California, will lead a discussion on The Value of Methodical Creativity.

Until recently innovation was thought to be an art form that works best in groups of people in order to capture variety of thought and mood.  However, with the emergence of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) by Motorola in the 80's and 90's, new tools are being incorporated into design and development activities that rely on the study of the patterns of problems and solutions, not on the spontaneous and intuitive creativity of individuals or groups.  More than three million patents have been analyzed to discover the patterns that predict breakthrough solutions to problems.  These efforts are commonly being referred to in industry as belonging to a discipline called TRIZ.  TRIZ is the (Russian) acronym for the "Theory of Inventive Problem Solving" that started after WWII from the study of patents by G.S. Altshuller and his colleagues in the former U.S.S.R. between 1946 and 1985.  TRIZ is an international science of creativity that is a left-brain, logical systematic method for innovation and creativity.  It does NOT depend on your mood.

Dr. Domb's personal case studies include city planning, construction, aerospace, semiconductor, chemical, and electrical and mechanical product design, through all types of service development.  Attendees will be given working knowledge of at least one simple tool that they might use immediately to solve a big problem they are working on or to produce their next patentable idea.      

WHERE:
USD -- Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110
Driving/Parking Directions:  http://peace.sandiego.edu/about/directions.html        (On-site, self parking is complimentary)

SCHEDULE (Feb 20, 2009):
6:00 pm     Shiley Science & Technology Atrium:  Registration, No-host Reception, Sponsor Exhibits
7:00 pm     Banquet Room (A, B, C, D):  Dinner
8:00 pm     2009 NEW SD Awards Presentations
8:30 pm     Keynote Speaker:  Dr. Ellen Domb
9:30 pm     Conclusion of 2009 NEW SD Awards Banquet

RESERVATION:
Send check, payable to ASME San Diego Section, for $37.50 per person to be received by February 6, 2009, to: Phil Young, ASME / NEW Coordinator, 1328 Emerald Street, San Diego, CA 92109-3044.  Please include for each person the full name and meal selection (salmon, chicken, or vegetarian).  Dinner includes one ticket for the no-host bar (soft drink, beer, or wine), salad, dessert, and coffee.  After February 6, the cost is $40 per person and the dinner selection would be Chef’s Choice.

For further information about the Banquet contact Phil Young, youngp@asme.org or 858-272-6264
For further information about National Engineers Week--San Diego, consult www.new-sandiego.org

SPONSOR AND HOST:
The 2009 National Engineers Week San Diego Awards Banquet is sponsored by the San Diego County Engineering Council with the California Society of Professional Engineers as General Chair and hosted by University of San Diego (USD).