Functional analysis: describing a need to define a solution

You're looking for an innovative solution to meet a new need, or to improve an existing offering. Encourage creativity and open up the field of solutions: functional analysis enables you to define the desired result not in technical terms describing the solution, but in terms of the requirements to be met, whatever the solution. Implemented systematically and exhaustively, this systemic approach gives you maximum freedom when looking for alternative solutions.

Functional analysis is the first step in many solution optimization methods: value analysis, FMECA, SDF, QFD, TRIZ, for product, service and process design. Value-based management uses it to support decision-making on other subjects: strategy, organization, coaching, purchasing, etc.

Its specificity lies in the implementation of one of the central questions of "value" reasoning: "what's the point? to facilitate and guide the expression of stakeholder needs, independently of solutions.

The functional analysis of a product or service, as presented in AFNOR standards NF X50-100 and 151, will therefore be carried out in five stages. Each stage specifies the questions asked, the answers sought, the sources of this information and the means of gathering it, as well as the tools for gathering and analyzing this information.