Systematic Inventive Thinking: Subtraction

Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT) is a great series of simple, repeatable, techniques to create new and innovative products.

One of my favourites of these techniques, because of its simplicity, is ‘subtraction’, where we remove a ‘vital’ feature from a product or service and imagine the benefits it might bring. The product or service might be surprisingly enhanced in some way, or even create something brand new. Think of the first person to suggest removing the wheels from a bike, ultimately creating the exercise bike.

Drew Boyd has a great modern example here, along with an explanation of the process.