Editor’s note: This article continues the series exploring structured innovation using the TRIZ methodology, a problem solving, analysis, and forecasting tool derived from studying patterns of invention found in global patent data.

Last week’s executive council meeting ran long, but there were no objections because the council members were introduced to an advanced tool: functional analysis. They wanted to apply this tool when they returned to their businesses, but the holiday season and year-end tasks prevented that from happening.

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