There are four main elements of TRIZ, which make it so distinctive and powerful, viz, Contradictions, Ideality, Functionality and Resources. These four elements are often called the four pillars of TRIZ.

1. Contradictions: The strongest inventions have emerged where the inventor has successfully eliminated contradictions. So the most important philosophy of TRIZ is to eliminate contradictions. Contradiction Matrix is the popular TRIZ tool that solves any possible contradictions.

2. Ideality: TRIZ identifies that the evolution of a system moves towards increasing “ideality”. Ideal Final Result contains all the benefits of the system and none of the harms. Instead of thinking from the current situation, TRIZ encourages to think reverse from the Ideal Final Result.

3. Functionality: A system possesses a Main Useful Function and optionally several additional useful functions. A functional analysis helps identifying contradictions, in-effective, excessive and harmful relations in and around a system. Any system component that does not contribute towards the achievement of any useful function is ultimately harmful.

4. Resources: A resource is anything in the system that is not being used to its maximum potential. TRIZ advises to use such resources to their absolute potential, which can improve the design of a system. The pressures and negative elements in the system are also resources which can be utilized like “turning lemons into lemonade” concept.