From the idea's point of view, innovation looks like a long trip through a variety of countries. Before each stop -- from research to development to strategy to manufacturing to marketing and distribution -- arrangements must be made, bags must be packed and all the papers need to be in order. The idea may need to learn to work in a new language and show its value in a new culture. And innovators all along the path enable a smooth journey in two ways: 1) they perfect the current environment for the idea, making sure it is "at home"; and 2) they become sponsors of the idea, improving its odds of success in the next environment by helping with the preparations.
For example, let's say you have heard that a tremendous amount of heat is given off when platinum electrodes are placed in water and a current is run through them. Because you also know that hydrogen atoms can work their way into the metal, an innovative idea is born: cold fusion. Maybe the hydrogen atoms are actually going through the same process that powers the sun, fusing together to form helium atoms, but without the extreme heat and pressure.
Is this idea worth a further look? A good starting point for investigation is using the tools of a reporter -- who, what, where, when, how and why. The experiments you heard about are not published; there is no authority behind them. The who is weak, but the risk seems slight -- low cost, minor time commitment, not something you need to get approved by others. The what amuses you because, if cold fusion is real, views of physics and the economics of energy will change dramatically. As for where and why, your lab actually has the expertise to run the experiments methodically, and the personal payoff could be a Nobel Prize. You are between projects, so the timing is right for you (when), and the proper equipment is at hand (how). The cold fusion idea has successfully moved from a glimmer in your eye to a research project.
Asking seven focused questions can provide a shortcut to performing this "reporter's analysis" of your idea, and the answers can yield a surprisingly level of insight.
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