Final answer:
The non-recommended method for sourcing new product ideas from customers is relying heavily on their knowledge of technical product needs. Companies should instead engage in systematic processes like brainstorming, design sessions, and creating prototypes to refine their product ideas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method that is NOT recommended for companies to tap into their customers as sources for new-product ideas is relying heavily on customers to know what types of technical products they need. While customers are an excellent source of ideas and feedback, they may not always have the technical expertise or foresight to know exactly what products they need, especially in specialized or highly technical markets. Instead, companies should use other strategies such as gathering information from customers and other stakeholders, finding expert information, and doing a root cause analysis to identify underlying problems that new products might solve.
To generate a wide variety of ideas, companies engage in activities like brainstorming and exploring alternative solutions through design sessions and idea dumps. It is also crucial to evaluate these ideas systematically using tools such as a concept combination table and a concept screening matrix. Eventually, prototypes are developed, which are used to evaluate the quality of the design before the final product is launched.
During the design process, engineers typically take a structured approach to ensure that all possible solutions are considered and the best are chosen. This methodical process often involves conducting interviews with customers and experts, which can provide authoritative insights and help define the overall design problem more clearly.