Why do plumbing components fail, and what can their fractures, deformations, or surface changes reveal? This training offers a deep dive into real-world case studies, analyzing plumbing failures through the lens of a forensic failure investigator. Using a hands-on approach, we will examine damaged polymer components, identify key failure mechanisms, and discuss how material selection, processing, and environmental factors contribute to the failures. Whether you’re looking to refine your diagnostic skills or gain expert insight into material performance, this session will provide practical tools to recognize and prevent failures before they happen. Join us for a unique, case-based exploration of plumbing component failures!

• Product Development Engineers and Managers – seeking innovative approaches to solve complex design or performance issues.
• Process Engineers and Technologists – involved in improving or troubleshooting manufacturing processes.
• Materials Scientists and Engineers – facing formulation, compatibility, or performance challenges without established solutions.
• Sustainability Professionals in Plastics – addressing Type 3 problems related to new materials, circularity, or regulatory constraints where conventional solutions fall short.
• R&D Teams – working on new product lines or material innovations in a highly competitive market.
• Innovation and Strategy Leaders – looking to foster a culture of problem-solving and breakthrough thinking.
• Technical Sales and Application Engineers – who must translate customer needs into innovative technical solutions.

Are you frustrated by challenges that seem too complex, where conventional tools and brainstorming sessions just aren’t enough?
Do you wonder how some teams seem to consistently develop breakthrough ideas—while yours gets bogged down in daily firefighting?

If you’ve faced these challenges, this course was designed with you in mind.

Everyday Problems You’ll Address:
Why do traditional problem-solving methods fall short when dealing with new, complex challenges?
How can I move from vague problem definitions to clear, actionable statements?
What techniques can help my team think more creatively and effectively, even under pressure?
How do I consistently generate innovative ideas that are both practical and high-value?
Is there a structured way to tackle innovation, or is it all just trial and error?

What You'll Learn:
A powerful method for identifying and solving Type 3 problems—those tricky innovation challenges with unclear causes and no obvious solutions.
How to build function models that clarify cause-and-effect relationships, helping you understand what’s really going on in complex systems.
Abstract brainstorming tools that guide your thinking beyond the obvious and unlock inventive, high-impact ideas.
A user-friendly software platform that supports your innovation efforts and captures ideas for real-world application.
How to apply this approach in product development, materials selection, process optimization, and sustainability initiatives.

Why This Course Matters:
In today’s fast-moving plastics industry, success isn’t just about solving known problems—it’s about confronting the unknown. Whether you're developing next-generation products, optimizing a critical process, or facing new sustainability challenges, your ability to solve complex, undefined problems is what sets you—and your organization—apart.

This course gives you a practical, structured approach to innovation. You’ll leave with tools, techniques, and a mindset that will help you:

• Identify and frame the real problems—not just the symptoms.
• Generate smarter, faster solutions that drive results.
• Create a culture of innovation rooted in clarity and creativity.

If you're ready to go beyond “business as usual,” this course is your starting point.