Final answer:
The best method for setting product/process specifications is to base them on pre-established design guidelines reflecting customer requirements, ensuring that the design is customer-focused and market-acceptable. The correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The acceptable method for setting product/process specifications is best captured by the statement: Specifications should be based on pre-established design guidelines that reflect customer requirements. This implies that specifications should be closely linked to what customers need and value in a product or service.
Setting specifications solely based on when customer satisfaction decreases could lead to suboptimal standards, since it does not proactively set goals based on customer needs. Similarly, basing specifications only on the process capability may not always align with what the customer values.
Hence, incorporating customer requirements from the beginning ensures that the design is customer-centric, leading to better market acceptance and overall satisfaction. To accurately set specifications, we must identify criteria and constraints, which serve as the benchmarks and limitations for the design.
Next, through a structured decision process, solutions are evaluated in context to the identified criteria and constraints, and the best fit that meets customer requirements is selected. Ensuring that both the science connection and customer focus are clear in the decision-making process is vital for a successful design outcome. The correct option is c.