Pioneering Structured Innovation:

Dana W. Clarke, Sr., President/CEO, Applied Innovation Alliance, LLC

Dana discovered the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, TRIZ, after over 24 years of in-depth experience in the optimization and development of products and processes. His expertise encompasses the practical application, consulting, facilitation and training of such methodologies as Statistical Analysis, Taguchi Methods, Value Engineering / Analysis (VE/VA), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA), Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Quick Setup Techniques (SMED), Work Simplification, Business Process Innovation (BPI), FAST Cycle Time (Phase Gate) and Organizational Engineering.

After learning about Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), in 1993, Dana became the first American to be certified as a TRIZ Specialist by a TRIZ Master, and in April of 2001 became the first and only American to be certified as a TRIZ Specialist by the International Association of TRIZ (Russia). Beyond his certifications, he spent 15 man-years working among the leading TRIZ experts in the world and has been actively involved in the development and advancement of the TRIZ Methodology. His work in TRIZ has led to the development of unique approaches for Structured Innovation and Team Building in all areas of business, science and engineering. Dana's research has included the integration of TRIZ and Artificial Intelligence for solving and optimizing non-linear business problems. He currently has over ten years of practical application and facilitation experience solving industry problems using TRIZ, and is the author of one book and numerous articles.

Dana has worked with teams involved in a diversity of industries including but not limited to: manufacturing operations of all types; heat treatment; chemistry and chemical processes; satellites; aviation; elevators and escalators; fuel cells; molding, casting and forging; military weaponry; futurist propulsion systems; oil drilling and processing; nuclear facilities; electronics; food science and manufacturing; plastics; locomotives; motors, and more.