Timing - Development time is not much of a concern. While it is possible that a competitor would be able to come out with a similar concept, the final execution is much more important. The synthesizer market is much different from other tech sectors as the factors that set products apart from each other can be highly subjective rather than objective spec for spec comparisons.
Trend - The current trend is both towards pure analog and hybrid analog and digital, with FPGA becoming more and more relevant. Modularity and flexibility are also becoming more and more important for the user. The market itself moves quite slowly with product life cycles often lasting multiple years. This is not of great concern.
Impact - This is of much higher concern. If the synth is able to deliver on all of its promises, it could instantly become a hit and sell very well. Depending on sonic innovations and how producers utilize it, it could even set new trends for genres of music. There is no way to accurately determine any of this however.
What -
When -
Who - Keyboardists, artists, producers and sound designers are all people affected, potential customers, and, along with other synth designers, potential sources of information. Those who dislike the sound of FM or do not usually use synthesizers are not relevant as sources or customers and do not deal with the problem.
Where - Synths are used globally in performance venues and home/professional studios.
Why - The intent with this synth are to blend two disparate synthesis methods to open up new sonic possibilities for users
How - This problem was born out of the limitations of analog and digital synthesis technology and the space created between the two technologies as they developed.