In the “Example of a Small Bicycle Seat Portfolio in “USE” View” figure, ten patents held by a bicycle seat company were plotted on the USE view. The company can quickly focuses efforts on building out art in its growth position as represented by patents’423, ‘806 and D’905. Viewing patent portfolios in this manner by general managers has been shown to be a quick and easy way to gain their understanding of their patent assets and obtain their buy-in for the appropriate resourcing of personnel to improve their patent portfolio. It also gives them a better understanding of which part of their portfolio is really adding value and which is not.

Of note is that a group of company professionals was able to place these 10 patents on the grid in approximately 15 minutes. Insight gained from the time expended using these tools is very high.