FAST Creativity & Innovation is a landmark work authored by the creator
of the method called Function Analysis Systems Technique (FAST) and
pioneer of value engineering and value analysis. FAST is a powerful
mapping technique that can graphically model goals, objectives,
strategies, plans, systems, projects, products, processes, and
procedures in function terms to identify function dependencies by
organizing them into a cause and effect relationship. This technique
quickly brings clarity to whatever situation or problem it is applied
and greatly enhances productive thinking, creativity, innovation, and
complex problem solving. Some of the basic concepts of FAST have been
used for several decades in value engineering, which focuses on
decreasing costs, improving quality and increasing value and profits.
Derivatives of this original method such as fishbone diagrams, theory of
constraints and process mapping came into use in fields such as quality
management, new product development, manufacturing, and supply chain and
project management. However, despite these developments, many of the
original FAST concepts were either overlooked or misunderstood as
greater opportunities for success remained untapped. FAST Creativity &
Innovation groups all the original concepts together in great detail so
you can learn them using easily understood step-by-step examples
developed by the creator of this method. The creator and author, Charles
Bytheway, presents a procedure that standardizes the method for creating
FAST diagrams and function trees for rapidly improving processes,
innovation, new product development and value engineering, and for
effectively solving a wide variety of complex problems quickly. After
reading this book you will have gained not only the basic skills of
using this method, but the original insight of its developer for
mastering its use in any environment. This guide is an outstanding tool
for use in industry, a variety of college courses and for value
engineers.
