Authors
Motta, Wladmir; Fandiño, Sergio; Maruyama, Úrsula; Xavier, Narjara

Abstract
Ecological crisis is directly related to climate change, depletion of natural resources, high generation of environmental impacts and so on. A review in industrial practices and design of more sustainable systems are necessary conditions to confront this crisis. In this context, some proposals have emerged, including life cycle assessment (LCA), which encompasses the entire production chain: extraction of natural resources, transport, production process, consumption and disposal (waste). Thus, by measuring each phase of a production chain, it provides opportunities to identify critical points for environmental innovations. Considering this innovation generation, philosophies such as the theory of inventive problem solving (known as TRIZ) have gained relevance by allowing their users to access methods to solve difficult technical problems, in a structured way and creative solutions. TRIZ is defined as being a systematic methodology, oriented to solution of inventive problems, these functions are identified by analysing the problem itself and its socio-economic circumstances. As a systematic thinking tool, TRIZ provides 39 engineering parameters and 40 inventive solutions, that can help improving “systems” in an innovative way, being a powerful tool to solve problems. The discussions underline the need of integrating these two literature axes, considering the potential to provide new means to tackle the ecological crisis. As method, this study is based on a bibliographic research. As main contribution of this study is presenting that: (i) LCA allows finding critical points in product life cycle; (ii) TRIZ methodology can help to points out the type of change to be implemented in order to improve product in its critical points. (iii) the interrelationship between LCA and TRIZ should promote better opportunities facing the ecological crisis.