Step 7. Develop Primary Path Functions

Start this step by listing all the functions you have formulated for your project up to this point. Next start the logic diagram, if you are building a FAST Tree, by setting your tab spacing to about 0.3 inches and by posting the basic function one tab space from the left margin in a word-processing file. Then create the next level of functions by indenting another tab space to the right and below this function and post one or more functions which describe how the basic function is actually accomplished in a present design or how you propose to accomplish it if a design or concept does not already exist. If "prevent cavities" is the basic function, the first two levels of the primary path might look like the functions listed in Figure 8.8.

The same procedure is used when creating a FAST Diagram except functions are written on small rectangular cards and placed on a flat surface. Each lower level function is placed at the right of the function being investigated. To avoid confusion, from this point on I will only outline the procedure for creating a logic diagram for a FAST Tree. Refer to the examples in the various chapters to see how a FAST Tree is converted into a FAST Diagram.