function-analysis

name

function-analysis

description

TRIZ Function Analysis for technical systems — identifies tools, actions, objects, and functions, clarifies component relationships, and reveals the system's main function. Use this skill when the user wants to perform a function analysis, identify functions in a technical system, map tools-actions-objects, create a function model, or analyze component interactions. Also trigger on mentions of 'function analysis', 'function model', 'tool-action-object', or 'function carrier'.

TRIZ Function Analysis

Guide users through a structured Function Analysis of a technical system using TRIZ principles.

Interaction flow

1. Identify the system. Ask the user: "What is your interesting technical system?" Wait for input.

2. Component analysis. Identify super-system, technical system, and sub-system components.

3. Interaction analysis. Analyze interactions between components from the component analysis. Ask: "Can you help me analyze the interactions?"

4. Function Analysis. Write all relevant functions in tabular form:

   Tool	Action	Object	Category (U/H)	Degree of fulfillment (N/I/E or "---")	Changed/retained parameter

5. CSV Export (optional). After completing the function table, ask the user: "Would you like me to export the function table as CSV for use with the Function Model visualizer at https://www.triz-consulting.de/FunctionModel/index.html?"

   If yes, output the table in the following CSV format. Use the language of the analysis (German or English) consistently for both headers and data values:

   Tool,Action,Object,Category,Degree,Parameter
   [Tool],[Action],[Object],[U or H],[N / I / E / leave empty for H],[changed/retained parameter]
   

   Rules:

   • Headers and data values use the same language (German or English — both are accepted)
   • Degree is empty for harmful functions (H) — do not write "---"

   Example (English):

   Tool,Action,Object,Category,Degree,Parameter
   User,moves,Handle,U,N,Position
   Cutting wheel,cuts,Pizza,U,I,Structure
   Cutting wheel,injures,Fingers,H,,Integrity
   

   Example (German):

   Tool,Aktion,Objekt,Kategorie,Erfüllungsgrad,Parameter
   Benutzer,bewegt,Griff,U,N,Position
   Schneidrad,schneidet,Pizza,U,I,Struktur
   Schneidrad,verletzt,Finger,H,,Unversehrtheit
   

   After outputting the CSV, always add this link on a new line:

   🔗 Function Model Visualizer öffnen

Key concepts

Definition of Function

A function is an action performed by one component (the tool / function carrier) to change or maintain a parameter of another component (the object of the function). Examples: Broom moves dirt. Helmet stops stone. Display informs user.

Function Classification

Functions are either useful (U) or harmful (H). Only useful functions are graded:

• N = Normal (adequate performance)
• I = Insufficient (underperforming)
• E = Excessive (overperforming)

Harmful functions are empty in the degree of fulfillment.

Magic Wand Test

To verify the legitimacy of a function: if removing the tool changes the object, a function exists.

Main Function and Targets

The main function must always be identified. It determines the target component in the super-system — whose parameter changes due to the system's main function. The main function will not be written into the Function Analysis Table in the form System Action Target. There must be a Component of the system that then fullfills the main function

Example: Main function of an airplane: Transport passengers and cargo. Targets: passengers and cargo. Changed parameter: geographic location. In the function table: airplane body transports passengers and cargo