'''TRIZ''' is a Romanization of the Russian phrase "Теория решения изобретательских задач" meaning "Theory of solving inventive problems" or, in its most popular translation, "Theory of inventive problem solving". It was developed by Soviet engineer and researcher Genrich S. Altshuller and his colleagues starting in 1946. It has been evolving ever since.

Today, TRIZ has reached the level of theory or set of theories, if we take into consideration its many spin-offs (I-TRIZ, Systematic Innovation, General Theory of Innovation, etc.). However, TRIZ is most popular at the levels of methodology, tool set, knowledge base, and model-based technology for generating innovative ideas and solutions for problem solving. TRIZ provides tools and methods for use in problem formulation, system analysis, failure analysis, and patterns of system evolution. TRIZ, in contrast to techniques such as brainstorming (which is based on random idea generation), aims to create an algorithm/algorithmic approach to the invention of new systems, and the refinement of old systems.

You can jump to here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triz to learn more about TRIZ. Alternately, TRIZ Journal has a good introduction, too: http://www.triz-journal.com/archives/what_is_triz/