The certification has been a point of discussion in the TRIZ community for quite some time. At the international level, certification to the International TRIZ Association (MATRIZ Official) is the most important standard because it is supported by the majority of TRIZ masters. At the 2022 international conference, MATRIZ Official split off from MATRIZ. Therefore, since October 2022, there are two associations at the international level.
MATRIZ Certificate
The International TRIZ Association (MATRIZ Official) prescribes a five-level concept by which it teaches and certifies TRIZ through its accredited trainers. The levels are referred to in English as Level. In the overview below, we have briefly summarized the necessary prerequisites that are required to acquire each level.
What is interesting about the concept is that you can teach two levels below your own level at a time. That is, a TRIZ master with level 5 can teach courses at most up to level 3. Levels 4 and 5 are no longer taught. Here you have to provide the proof to the MATRIZ Official yourself.
The TRIZ Consulting Group is the only provider in Germany for all TRIZ levels of the international certification that can be achieved in training.
MATRIZ Official TRIZ Level 1
The following listing is based on the translation of the requirements of the MATRIZ Official dated October 6, 2022.
These can be found on the International TRIZ Association page on this page.
Certification format: Written test, and/or assignments report.
Duration of recommended training: not less than 24 class/online hours.
Certification is carried out by trainers accredited by Certification Committee of MATRIZ Official (at least Level 3).
On this page of MATRIZ Official you will find all certified Level 1 graduates.
TRIZ Consulting Group GmbH trainings on this level of performance can be found here.
MATRIZ Official TRIZ Level 2
The following listing is based on the translation of the corresponding MATRIZ Official page dated October 6, 2022.
Certification of Level 2 is only possible on the basis of having certificate of Level 1 from MATRIZ or MATRIZ Official.
Certification testing format: Successful completion of assignments report, and completion of a written test (optional).
Duration of recommended training: not less than 40 class/online hours.
Certification is carried out by trainers accredited by Certification Committee of MATRIZ Official (at least Level 4).
On the page of the international TRIZ organization MATRIZ Official you will find all certified Level 2 graduates.
TRIZ Consulting Group GmbH trainings on this level of performance can be found here.
MATRIZ Official TRIZ Level 3
The following listing is based on the translation of the corresponding MATRIZ Official page dated October 6, 2022.
Certification of Level 3 is only possible on the basis of having certificate of Level 2 from MATRIZ or MATRIZ Official.
Certification testing format: Successful completion of assignments report, and completion of a written test (optional).
Duration of recommended training: not less than 80 class/online hours.
Certification is carried out by trainers accredited by Certification Committee of MATRIZ Official (at least Level 5).
On the page of the international TRIZ organization MATRIZ Official you will find all certified Level 3 graduates.
TRIZ Consulting Group GmbH trainings on this level of performance can be found here.
MATRIZ TRIZ Level 1
Certification testing format: One written test.
Duration of recommended training: not less than 24 class hours in addition to independent studies
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 1 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
MATRIZ TRIZ Level 2
Certification testing format: Successful defense of a term paper and completion of a written test.
Duration of recommended training: not less than 40 class hours in addition to
independent study
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 2 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
MATRIZ TRIZ Level 3
Certification testing format: Analysis of a problem by ARIZ-85C and a written test. Plus, prior to issuing a
certificate, a 15-20 minutes long interview with an interviewer appointed by MATRIZ CEM. This interview may take place in person or via Skype or some other communication software.
Duration of recommended training: not less than 80 class hours in addition to independent studies.
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 3 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
MATRIZ TRIZ Level 4
To be awarded this certificate, applicants must convince MATRIZ of their extensive knowledge of the material and ability to apply this knowledge. In addition to 2 ARIZ examples, applicants must present a reference from a local TRIZ association and a Level 5 TRIZ Master, several of their own contributions to various national and international publications on the subject, and a number of examples of actual problems solved by them using TRIZ.
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 4 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
MATRIZ TRIZ Level 5
There are two ways to achieve the TRIZ Master certificate (TRIZ Level 5).
The first is to publish an academic research paper on TRIZ, i.e., a kind of doctoral thesis on a TRIZ subject. In doing so, you must either introduce a new method for TRIZ or improve an existing one. You are then invited to defend your work at a session of the MATRIZ Dissertation Council, a panel of Level-5-certified TRIZ Masters. You will be awarded the title of TRIZ Master only if you are able to convince the Council that you are able to contribute something new and valuable to TRIZ through your research.
The second way the title can be acquired is for achievements in the field of practical application of TRIZ. In this case, you must submit an overview of your practical achievements to date to the above-mentioned Council. The minimum requirements are: no less than ten independent patents, no less than ten innovation projects, several examples of your best problem solutions, copies of reviews on the practical use of your inventions, a summary of the application of aspects of TRIZ methodology in your practical work, and letters of reference from at least seven existing TRIZ Masters. You must also, of course already hold the TRIZ Level 4 certificate. If the Council recognizes the value of your work, you will be awarded the title of TRIZ Master Practitioner. Our Managing Director Dr. Robert Adunka is the only TRIZ Master who hails from a German-speaking country and received his title in the above way.
A list of all holders of the TRIZ Level 5 certificate can be found on the MATRIZ website.
Other TRIZ certificates known to us
In addition to the international TRIZ Association, other TRIZ providers and associations have attempted to establish their own certificates. These efforts have been crowned with little success so far.
Innovation Master Certificate
The award comprised a certificate and an inscribed metal plate on a wooden plaque recognizing the recipient as the holder of the title of Innovation Master. When I received my certificate at a User Group Meeting on Sardinia, I was very pleased to have finally achieved some “official” recognition for my work.
Innovation Master certificate of the TriS Europe Innovation Academy
The course encompasses 120 hours of tuition held over a period of 10 months.
Other certificates
ETRIA is currently considering its own certification program, but has no definite plans to date.
If you know of any other relevant certification programs with a wider scope of application, I would be very grateful if you would contact me with the details.