40 inventive principles / #24
#24 Intermediary
What it says
- Use an in-between object to carry or transfer an action.
- Join an object for a while to another one that is easy to remove.
Examples
- Software
- An API gateway or message queue between services.
- Business
- A broker or agent between buyer and seller.
- Engineering
- A drill guide that holds the bit at the right angle.
- Everyday life
- Use a cutting board instead of cutting on the counter.
Where the matrix suggests it
The classic contradiction matrix suggests Intermediary in 92 of its 1,248 filled cells. Most often for these conflicts:
- Improving Length of stationary object worsens Loss of information
- Improving Volume of stationary object worsens Stress or pressure
- Improving Temperature worsens Manufacturing precision
- Improving Loss of information worsens Loss of time
- Improving Loss of information worsens Quantity of substance
- Improving Loss of time worsens Loss of information
- Improving Loss of time worsens Measurement accuracy
- Improving Loss of time worsens Manufacturing precision