In the ever-evolving landscape of semiconductor manufacturing, optimizing IC interconnection processes remains a critical challenge. Through innovative functional modeling approaches, we can identify inefficiencies, streamline operations, and dramatically improve production outcomes. This article explores how Process Functional Modeling (PFM) reveals new opportunities for enhancing IC interconnection layer manufacturing. Setting the Stage At PRIZ Guru, we are actively exploring IC interconnection layers. Our project is available on the PRIZ Platform and published on PRIZ Hub: Optimizing IC Interconnection: A Functional Approach to Innovation (the project is in progress). We welcome your engagement and comments. The initial step—System Functional Modeling (SFM) of…

Engineering work is built on three essential pillars: process improvement, cost reduction, and root cause analysis. Engineers should dedicate their thinking to a specific and measurable target, use thinking tools and resources, and recognize and value engineering thinking. The PRIZ Innovation Platform offers tools for engineering thinking, including Process Functional Modeling, 40 Inventive Principles, and Effective Brainstorming. Engineers should focus on improving only those operations that increase the value of the product, remove all operations that do not increase the value of the product, and understand the origin of defects and eliminate them. What does an engineer do? What does…

Process improvement is crucial for organizational success. It helps organizations to stay competitive, reduce costs, improve quality and efficiency, become more responsive to changing market conditions, and encourage innovation. There are several process improvement methodologies available, each with its own set of tools and techniques. However, these tools rely heavily on people’s creativity and analytical skills, which can be a trial-and-error process for teams. PRIZ Guru offers analytical and problem-solving tools to assist engineers at any step of the process improvement undertaking, equipping teams to overcome barriers during this initiative. What is process? As usual, we will start with an…

This case study explores the usage of Process Functional Modeling (PFM) as a problem-solving tool in microchip manufacturing. PFM is an innovative way of thinking that involves breaking down a process into its components on multiple levels and generating innovative solutions. The tool enables us to move from general to specific, from process to operations, operations to components, and components to functions. In this article, we provide a real-life example of how a team applied PFM to the microchip manufacturing process. We want to demonstrate its effectiveness in creating a model of failure in the context of the whole process….

Following one of our previous releases of the Process Functional Modeling (PFM) tool, we have added a summary tab to help innovators to visualize the overall status of the analyzed process. The information provided in the summary tab is mainly built to provide suggestions about where should we focus our attention and what operation we need to invest in. The summary tab presents the following:

Organizational processes are a vital part of any business, and improving them can lead to cost savings, increased efficiency, and better overall performance. Whether it’s identifying and resolving issues within a larger process or finding ways to reduce costs, the task of process improvement falls on many professionals within an organization. For those who work in teams, the process of analyzing, identifying problems, and finding solutions to improve the process is a daily task. And we created a tool to help with these tasks. Today, we want to introduce the newly released tool in the PRIZ Innovation Platform that is…

Improving processes is essential for any organization looking to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall performance. Whether streamlining operations, automating repetitive tasks, or eliminating bottlenecks, there are many ways to improve processes and boost productivity. In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations that can quickly and effectively adapt to changing market conditions are more likely to succeed. By identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing solutions, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and achieve their goals. This article will explore the benefits of Process Functional Modeling and how it can be used to make strategic and tactical decisions that lead…