* Introduction

* history of USIT

* raising real-world problems to the conceptual level

* role and need for conceptual solutions

* innovating in a closed world

* cognitive psychology experimental results

* psychological barriers to creative thinking

* Overview of USIT

* definitions of objects, attributes, and functions

* definition of a well-defined problem

* identifying plausible root causes*

* two methods for problem analysis:

* the Closed-World Method

* the Particles Method

* four solution techniques

* Uniqueness

* Dimensionality

* Pluralization

* Distribution

* The Closed-World Method

* theory of the method

* examples of CW-method heuristics

* four examples of solution techniques

* "text book" problems for student teams to solve

* team application of USIT to student problems** (brought to class)

* The Particles Method

* theory of method

* example Particles-Method heuristics

* "text book" problems for student teams to solve

* team application of USIT to student problems** (brought to class)

* Closure

* review high lights

* feed back

* presentation of graduation certificates (Certificates are 8.5" x 14" color prints of the USIT flow chart with abbreviated annotations of USIT components and procedures. They make attractive wall hangings for quick reference.)

(*) The plausible root-causes tool fills a common need of technologists, especially those who know what the concept of root cause is but have never learned how to bring its search to meaningful closure effectively. It is indispensable for developing a well-defined problem amenable to efficient resolution***.

(**) Students bring two corporate problems to class and work on them in 3- to 4-person teams***. This challenges students to immediately apply USIT principles to their real-world problems. The exercise helps students to discover quickly where misunderstanding exists and provides personal proof of the capability of USIT.

(***) Many students make just one of these three exercises worth the cost of the course.