Technology transfer activities can be broadly split into three phases; preparation, installation and utilisation. These three phases are, in turn, affected by technological, organisational and environmental factors. However, some people point to six steps in the technology transfer process, these are: Invention disclosure Evaluation Patent application Assessment and marketing Patent licensing Commercialisation These steps take an innovation forward to a commercial product via market evaluation, intellectual property protection and licensing, as well as promotion and commercialisation for the marketplace.