Research
Once you have your idea, it’s time to do some research. This is the “R” in R&D.
Research is about delving deeper into your idea. Thorough research is critical to creating a usable invention. More importantly, research is necessary for creating an invention that end users want.
Research is critical to the invention process because it helps you understand the nuances of your idea and map it with clarity and purpose. Start by defining your objectives—what do you hope to achieve? Who is your target audience? Why do they care about this problem? How have others approached the problem before? What sets your solution apart? What are the different design paths you can take? By answering these questions, you'll gain invaluable insights.
Who is your target audience and why do they care?
It’s important to articulate succinctly the relevance of your work to various audiences. Try researching the problem more by running the issue past your advisors, colleagues, peers, community, and family members. This step is essential for identifying your potential market and end users. It’s crucial to understand the demographic experiencing the problem at hand.
Once you have identified the target audience, you should figure out their actual needs. What are their preferences? How can you fix the problem in a way that is catered to them? A once-size fits all solution may seem great on paper, but in practice, they rarely pan out. Good inventions address a particular need and customize the solution for an intended audience. Figure out why the problem creates an issue for your market and how those pain points affect other aspects of their lives.
How have others approached the problem before?
It’s important to examine your work in the context of work by others. This means figuring out what has been done before and why those solutions failed or became outdated. Figuring out why others did not succeed is a valuable part of research. It helps bring to light why the problem still exists. It also helps with figuring out what concepts, techniques, products, and services already exist. All new technology builds upon the past. Innovation is the process of taking new ideas and integrating them into the current technological landscape. Effective research is about learning about past endeavors and reacting and learning from them.
What sets your solution apart?
Next comes the compare and contrast. Now that you know why others failed, it’s time to figure out if and why you’ll be any different. Is your solution actually better? Or does it suffer from the same pitfalls? It’s also possible that, after asking these questions, your solution is different but not better. Or, you may find that existing solutions already suffice and there is no need for your invention. That doesn’t mean you should give up. Asking these questions may result in you coming up with new solutions or refining your solution further.
Maybe after all this research you are taken down a path that is unpredictable and unconventional. That’s a good thing. Unpredictability and breaking from the norms is what invention is all about. Stay focused, stay curious, and don't be afraid to think outside the box. The beauty of research is that it challenges assumptions and sparks further innovation.
Contact us to discover what IP you have developed at this phase.
