1. Is your idea new?

If someone has already had your idea and it is public knowledge unfortunately you will not be able to claim it as your own.

Checking out the following will usualy give some indication of whether or not your invention already exists;

• Internet search engines e.g. google  or yahoo
• Trade press journals
• The search facility on the UK Government Patent Office website
• The Patent Office and Patent Attorneys can conduct a search for a fee
• Relevant retail outlets

2. Is there a market for your invention?

You need to get some indication that people would buy your invention.

• Are there related products already available?
• How well do these sell?
• Define exactly what it is that would sell your invention above others
• Conduct a small/focused market research survey amongst people you can trust e.g. family and friends

For help and advice check out the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the Marketing Society and the Institute of Sales Promotion .  

3. Would producing your invention be financially viable?

• You need to get a detailed estimate of how much it would cost to produce your invention. This must include all costs along every step of the production process through to the eventual marketing and distribution. You can use this step-by-step guide to see where some of these costs will lie.
• You need to balance the costs of production/promotion with the profit you would make. Use the information you gathered when answering question 2 to make an estimation of profit. Is your idea profitable enough to warrant investment?

4. Can your invention be made? Will it work?

You need to be pretty sure that your invention will be functionally effective. Several methods can be used to give an indication of this including;

• Sketches and diagrams
• Flow diagrams
• Block diagram model
• Computer Aided Design (CAD)
• Part model
• Minature model
• Full model in an easy to use material
• Full production prototype

Check out the Manufacturing Advisory Service website for advice and support.

If the answer is 'yes' to the questions above then CONGRATULATIONS you have a unique idea that has the potential to make you a lot of money ... please look at Step 2.