Editor’s note: This article continues the series exploring the TRIZ methodology, a problem-solving, analysis, and forecasting tool derived from studying patterns of invention found in global patent data. TRIZ identifies 40 principles, of which separation is one.

In an earlier article from this series, we learned that Belinda had heard about TRIZ, a tool for structured innovation. After learning more about the topic, she decided to try out one of the 40 principles: segmentation. It was the first principle and seemed doable. Now that Belinda had begun to understand the TRIZ approach to “structured innovation” and had her first validation, she wanted to start applying the methodology to other areas of her organization.

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