#4 Asymmetry
What it says
- Replace a symmetric form with an asymmetric one.
- If it is already asymmetric, make it more so.
Examples
- Software
- Give reads many replicas and writes one primary.
- Business
- Spend more on the few accounts that bring most revenue.
- Engineering
- A keyed plug that only fits one way.
- Everyday life
- An offset handle on a mug so it does not tip.
Where the matrix suggests it
The classic contradiction matrix suggests Asymmetry in 75 of its 1,248 filled cells. Most often for these conflicts:
- Improving Length of moving object worsens Loss of substance
- Improving Shape worsens Power
- Improving Temperature worsens Ease of repair
- Improving Power worsens Quantity of substance
- Improving Loss of time worsens Shape
- Improving Loss of time worsens Ease of operation
- Improving Manufacturing precision worsens Object-generated harmful factors
- Improving Object-generated harmful factors worsens Manufacturing precision