What is the best way to go from a product idea to actual production?

Question

Two answers required, one is to assume the inventor has technical knowledge of how to create the idea, and the other without.

Answer 1

The answer depends greatly on the complexity of your product. If you're talking about a new flavor of soda, you take one approach. If you are talking about a better mousetrap, you take a different approach. If your product is a documentary film, you'll need yet a third approach. Please clarify the type of product you're interested in and I'll see if I can give you an answer.