---
title: "Will It Fly?"
description: "A five-part sequence for testing a business idea."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/superfans/will-it-fly/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Will It Fly?

> A five-part sequence for testing a business idea.

Pat Flynn's framework, from Superfans, pp. 201 to 204.

Framework 15 of 15 from [Superfans](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/superfans/index.md) by Pat Flynn. Category: Systems and operations.

## The steps

1. **Mission Design.** Check the idea fits your goals.
2. **Development Lab.** Uncover details about the idea.
3. **Flight Planning.** Assess current market conditions.
4. **Flight Simulator.** Test with a small segment of the target market.
5. **All Systems Go.** Do a final analysis before moving forward.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: Let Go: My Unexpected Path from Panic to Profits and Purpose, pp. 201–204

Promotional pages for Flynn's earlier books. Let Go is a memoir about moving from a layoff to a thriving online business, and Will It Fly? is a set of tests for validating a business idea in five parts before spending time and money.

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/superfans/will-it-fly.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/superfans/will-it-fly-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/superfans/will-it-fly.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/superfans/will-it-fly-dark.png