# How to Track the Journey of Ideas to Patents Across the Lifecycle Using the TIP Tool™

Source: https://help.triangleip.com/knowledge-base/how-to-track-the-journey-of-ideas-to-patents-across-the-lifecycle-using-the-tip-tool/
Category: Idea Manager
Last updated: 2025-07-06

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Start with our short walkthrough video that shows you exactly how it works, step by step.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMs8mwkYjhY

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Scroll down for the full written guide with screenshots and detailed explanations.

The TIP Tool™ helps you track ideas from early-stage concepts all the way to filed patent applications. The workflow is built as a visual pipeline with stages that represent key steps in the patent lifecycle.

The interface is fairly simple and intuitive — just **drag and drop** an idea to move it to the next stage.

As you move ideas forward or upload important documents, the system **automatically notifies the right people** (like inventors, managers, or searchers), so everyone stays aligned.

Let’s walk through what each stage means, what happens there, and how to use it.

## Stages in the Patent Lifecycle

The default pipeline in the TIP Tool™ includes six stages:

1. **Capture**
2. **Patentability Search**
3. **Internal Vetting**
4. **Drafting**
5. **Patent Review**
6. **Filed**

Each stage reflects a key moment in the patent process — from idea submission to filed application.

### 1. Capture

This is where your innovation’s journey begins.

Use the **Add Idea** button to create a new disclosure. In this stage, you can:

- Enter the idea **title** and **summary**
- Add **inventor email addresses**
- Attach supporting files (e.g., slides, sketches, notes)
- Set optional inputs like **value score**, **patentability score**, and **filing deadline**

📌 **Note:** Ideas remain private until published. You can save as draft and return anytime.

Also learn about [How to Add a New Idea in the TIP Tool?](https://help.triangleip.com/llms-guides/add-a-new-idea.txt)

### 2. Patentability Search (Optional)

Use this stage to perform a **prior art or novelty search**.

Here’s what you can do:

- Drag the idea from Capture to Search
- Assign a **searcher** by entering their email address (internal or external)
- The searcher receives an automatic notification
- They can **upload the search report** to this stage
- You can also **perform the search yourself** and upload results directly
- All uploaded reports stay linked to the idea for future reference

📌 **Tip:** If your enterprise doesn’t require searches, you can skip this stage and even hide it from the ‘Idea Manager’ dashboard.

### 3. Internal Vetting (Optional)

This stage is for internal review and decision-making.

You can use it to involve:

- Inventors
- Patent committee members
- Business unit managers

Here’s what happens:

- Reviewers can approve or reject the idea
- They may request more info or send it back for updates
- This stage helps align filing decisions with business strategy and budget

**Also learn about:** How the TIP Tool Facilitates Thorough Vetting via Real-Time Collaboration

### 4. Patent Drafting

Once approved, the idea moves to **Patent Drafting**, where the patent application is written.

In this stage:

- Patent counsel (internal or external) begins preparing the application.
- The inventors can upload early drafts and attach supporting documents if counsel requests.
- The inventors, managers and prosecutors can communicate with each other via comments and by tagging each other as required.

Here you can begin merging ideas into filings (See: [How to Create Filings](https://help.triangleip.com/llms-guides/creating-a-filing.txt)).

In fact there are four ways of idea-to-filing merging supported in the TIP Tool™ i.e.,

- **One idea to one filing** – A single idea forms the basis of a single application.
- **Many ideas to one filing** – Multiple related ideas are merged into one omnibus application.
- **One idea to many filings** – A single idea is reused across multiple applications, such as for different jurisdictions or continuation strategies.

#### Related information:

- [How to Edit a Filing?](https://help.triangleip.com/llms-guides/editing-a-filing.txt)
- [How to Add an Idea to an Existing Filing?](https://help.triangleip.com/llms-guides/adding-an-idea-to-an-existing-filing.txt)
- [How to Add a Previously Used Idea in a New Filing?](https://help.triangleip.com/llms-guides/adding-a-previously-used-idea-in-a-new-filing.txt)

### 5. Patent Review

This is where the drafted patent is reviewed before submission.

Key features:

- Counsel uploads the draft into the TIP Tool™
- The system **notifies inventors and reviewers via email**
- Everyone can review and comment securely inside the platform
- All updates are tracked in one place — no need for email threads

🔐 **Why it matters:** This keeps your intellectual property secure and organized.

### 6. Filed

This is the final stage - the patent application has been filed.

Here’s what you can do:

- Move the idea to **Filed** once the submission is complete
- Upload the **filed application PDF**
- Enter key metadata like **filing date** or **application number**

Now here….this marks the end of the innovation management lifecycle in the TIP Tool™, while keeping all filing data stored for reference.

## Tips for Better Lifecycle Tracking

- Use **Tags** to group ideas by product, department, or region
- Add **Filing Deadlines** to highlight time-sensitive disclosures
- Use **Value & Patentability Scores** to help plan filings
- Archive completed or inactive ideas to keep your view clean

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Full list of articles: https://help.triangleip.com/llms.txt