The development technologist, the marketer, the purchasing agent and the plant manager should all be part of the team to develop the concept. Assess the viability with existing resources first. Preliminary answers to these questions give you an indication of the concept feasibility before you make any commitments. Don't spend any money until you are satisfied with the preliminary viability of the concept. Focus groups are only as good as the presentations, and the feedback should be used to generate ideas, not to make decisions.
Focus groups are more meaningful if actual concept models or prototypes are presented.
Depending on the situation, you may wait for the actual development of a line extension or improvement product. Then you can go to the consumer during the development stage for confirmation. Deine the concept for the development technologist. Have a target or a point of reference. Set preliminary parameters for ingredient costs, processes and nutritional profiles.