Nine windows is used in TRIZ (The theory of inventive problem solving) to explore solutions to a problem in the context of past, present, and future. Exploring the solution as a system is vital in breaking psychological stuckness.

Using nine windows serves us in discovering solutions by understanding the problem in the context of the past, present, and future and exploring the problem in the Super-System, current System, and Sub-System.

Write the problem or current system for solutions in the 3 x 3 matrix center to use nine windows. Then explore the center or present problem/system in the;

• Super-System: External environment and components a problem or system interacts (or may interact) with.
• System: The problem or system that was created.
• Sub-System: A component or parts of the problem or system

Once you have explored the present problem or system, move to the Super-System, System, and Sub-System of the past and future. Following exploring all the nine windows, we ask;

• Can we do something at the Sub-System, System, Super-System level in advance to fix the problem or improve the system?
• Can we do something at the Sub-System, System, Super-System level in the future to fix the problem or improve the system?
• Can we do something at the Sub-System, System, Super-System level in the present to fix the problem or improve the system?

Nine-Windows in the human system, i.e., team building & leadership, can be used as a planning tool. The item being planned goes in the center box. The Super-System and Sub-System relate to the center, upper and lower boxes. The past and future are planning goals. Each window is reviewed on time scales to best plan future solutions and ideal outcomes to ensure that the system, super-system, and sub-system develop to achieve the ideal solutions.

Example: Plan for an increase in customer satisfaction based upon meeting with client support.

	Past	Present	Future
Super-System	A smaller company, Less need for the product, Only phones No Internet, Sold-Directly to Customer	The organization, Phone System, Internet, Transportation, Buyers, Wholesalers, Suppliers	The larger organization, More product offerings, More staff, More customers, Outsourcing much of sales, Global Market.
System	The customer phoned or physically came to the location.	Meetings are scheduled according to incoming phone calls, emails, online contacts for support.	Meeting happen “virtually,” more product sold = more incoming calls and contact for support, increased dependence upon “magnet & virtual” staff and locations.
Sub-System	phones, typewriters + file cabinets (physical, tangible records), Only spoke English, Only US currency	Phones, Each persons computer, Personal Relationships, Multiple Languages, Locations	Increased storage of records on computers, People who speak multiple languages, Translators, Done on computers

Above, I have used multiple timelines; you can choose the timeline you want, perhaps picking a specific date or just leaving it open to the past and future. Once the nine windows plan is made, the team can plan and explore solutions to increase customer satisfaction with client support specialists. Suppose the company continues to grow and serve more customers globally. How can you begin implementing future solutions within the sub-system, system, and super-system, possibly changing how the past, present, and future processes are utilized.

• Can we do something at the Sub-System, System, Super-System level in advance to fix the problem or improve the system?
• Can we do something at the Sub-System, System, Super-System level in the future to fix the problem or improve the system?
• Can we do something at the Sub-System, System, Super-System level in the present to fix the problem or improve the system?

Try Nine-Windows it takes some practice, and you will find it valuable exploring solutions for your organization, team, and self. Please share thoughts and what quality tools you use in the comments.

Interested in learning how to use quality tools to solve problems and increase innovative planning within workplaces? Could your team benefit from discovering and planning solutions while proactively working to increase efficiencies and profit? Contact Mike… to make your team better.