We develop an easy-to-implement programmed method for generating new product ideas from existing products. In this method, whose core is a compatibility matrix, each pair of components or each pair of attributes used in a new design is already part of one or more existing products produced by the firm or its competitors. The method has theoretical significance because such new designs might exist. The method also has practical significance because in most cases, a firm can use this programmed approach almost routinely.

中文翻译：

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从现有产品线中产生新产品创意的程序化方法

我们开发了一种易于实施的编程方法，用于从现有产品中产生新的产品创意。在这种以兼容性矩阵为核心的方法中，新设计中使用的每一对组件或每一对属性已经是公司或其竞争对手生产的一个或多个现有产品的一部分。该方法具有理论意义，因为这样的新设计可能存在。该方法还具有实际意义，因为在大多数情况下，公司几乎可以例行使用这种编程方法。