#* Ideas for new products can be obtained from basic research using a SWOT analysis ( Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats ).

#* Critical path analysis is most useful at this stage

#* Porter 5 forces analysis

#* product portfolio analysis

#* break even analysis at various prices

#* contribution margin analysis

#* repeat analysis but use different distance measure

#* repeat analysis but use different clustering technique

#* repeat analysis several times, deleting one variable each time

#* repeat analysis several times, using a different order each time