"How is Strategic Inventing different than traditional techniques of patent strategy?" There are a number of subtleties involved, but the most obvious distinction is that most traditional approaches to patent strategy are primariliy applied after the product has been developed. In the case of Strategic Inventing, the analysis and patent strategy precedes product definition.

"What how would these differences show up in the product?" Strategic inventing usually results in products with unexpected features, functions, or materials - developed as a result of IP requirements, rather than functional benefits or consumer response. The emphasis is on patent protection for differentiating features rather than cost or performance.

"How is Strategic Inventing different from TRIZ techniques?" Clearly there is overlap with many other methodologies, including TRIZ. However, here is one example where the theory suggests different paths for development. In TRIZ, the Law of Ideality suggests that the greatest invention will maximize the function of the product, while minimizing the form of the product - more function, fewer parts. From a strategic inventing perspective, we would also consider products that include additional complexity for the sake of differentiation and patent protection, even if the functionality was not increased.

"Are there particular industries that would benefit from these techniques?" Any industry can benefit from this approach, but those of most significant interest will be relatively mature industries in which there is a history of prior art that limits future protection or requires design-around development. Further, the more avenues of interaction with the end user the more opportunities for creative approaches to product development and strategy. For example, consumer products are likely to have more opportunities for application than commodity chemicals.

"Are these techniques designed to supplant the existing alternatives?" No, rather strategic inventing should be another wrench in the toolbox of industrial R&D and product development organizations. To be sure, we would always like to be able to develop that breakthrough invention which dramatically shifts the technology outside of existing prior art. However, this is not always the case. Each methodology has particular stregnths and weaknesses - strategic inventing can help provide the right tool for the right job.