Mechanisms of Model Change in Optimization and Inventive Problem Solving Methods

Two problem solving techniques can be used to solve inventive problems: optimization methods and inventive methods. Looking for a solution could be described as browsing a knowledge space. This knowledge space will be introduced in order to study the way the both methods solve the problems. Both solving techniques explore this space through operators that enable shifting from one space to another and also involve model changes. Especially the mechanism of model change issued from inventive solving methods seems to be really important to solve inventive problems. Unfortunately inventive solving methods are more generic than optimization methods and cannot be formalised in the same way. Hence a general model of problem solving will be proposed based on notions from C-K theory in order to describe the operators of optimization and inventive methods at the same level. In addition to provide formal description language for a design reasoning C-K theory can well illustrate mechanisms to browse the problem space. Finally the process of inventive problem solving will be illustrated through en example.