1) Write down your idea - Write down everything about your idea. I mean everything. Include the most minute details about each and every single feature of your idea. I don’t care if its on a napkin or on Word, do it!

2) Tell your friends - Ask them for an objective opinion. Take a note of everything they say. Many of your friends will probably tell you that your idea isn’t viable or that they just don’t see it happening - don’t let that bother you so much. Instead, look at the core reasons why they don’t think it’ll work… Ask them WHY and make sure they give you an answer! I’m actually in the process of setting up a project manager, called ProjectPier, on one of my domains that I’ll use to get my friends to comment on my ideas anonymously. It keeps me in check and makes sure I don’t get too ahead of myself because sometimes that happens too. Make sure you ask for their insight too, what they’d like to see in it - maybe you forgot something.

3) Research - Conduct intensive research on the area that you’re focusing on. There’s sure to be something out there with some sort of likeness to your idea. Research your target, why they need your product/service and how it will help them. Place a heavy focus on what’s already out there, and how your idea is different. Check this site out for a more in depth writeup on conducting research for your business idea.

4) Create a business plan - If you’re still captivated about your idea after telling your friends about it, create a simple business plan. This is basically taking everything you’ve written and organizing it clear categories and headings.

5) Design a Mockup - If its an internet startup, create a mockup of how the site will be laid out using Photoshop or even something basic like paint. Include all the different pages and functionality that you want your website to have. Later, this can be used to show the designer exactly what your website is all about as it gives them a complete grasp of its layout, functions and design. Here’s another great resource that explains how to create an excellent Photoshop mockup of your website idea.

At first glance, GoCrossCampus looks like a simple social game but it’s much more than that.  GXC puts an amazing social networking aspect into the mix with a heavy emphasis on connecting with your real-life connections.  The game is set on a map of your campus, school or location and the goal is to take over as many properties on campus as possible.  How do you do that?  Brute force.  You must “attack in a certain direction” with a bunch of your teammates for effectiveness.  By encouraging real-life communication, GoCrossCampus is setting new standards in multiplayer online gaming.  Show everyone in the rival dorm who’s boss and conquer your world.  Think about it - a business can utilize this kind of gaming to build morale - (”HR took over the North Tower again!  The accountants must strike at 12″).  This is powerful stuff.

GoCrossCampus was created by four Yale upperclassmen.  In fact, one of my closest friends is chummy with one of the founders of GXC.  Innovative idea nonetheless.  However, even though the game is fueled by our innate human sense of competition, I think the creators of GoCrossCampus have to do a lot to ensure the retention of their gamers.  They have to find a way to ensure that their gamers don’t get bored.  What if a certain militia is stronger than its opposition just because of sheer user size?  “Armies” must have different pathways to take down their competition without it just being dependent on the group’s memberbase.  Perhaps a integration as a Facebook application could help boost its popularity.

Google has expressed interest in the company, we’ll see what develops.