The SCAMPER framework is a creative problem-solving technique to generate ideas and solutions. It stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate and Rearrange. The method encourages people to think outside the box by asking questions about an existing product or service to develop innovative solutions.
The SCAMPER method can be used in any situation where you need to come up with creative solutions. Some examples include product development, marketing campaigns or even personal goals.
Substitute: Substituting involves replacing one element of an existing idea with another to form a completely new concept. For example, if you are trying to create a new cake recipe, you could substitute apples for oranges in an existing recipe.
Combine: Combining involves taking two existing ideas and merging them together to create a single solution. This can be done by adding elements from both concepts or by blending them together in some way. For example, combining two existing advertising campaigns into one unique campaign.
Adapt: Adapting means tailoring an idea to fit a different purpose or environment. It involves changing some elements of the original concept while keeping the core intact. For example, adapting a product design to make it more suitable for a different country’s culture or regulations.
Modify: Modifying/magnifying involves altering or increasing the features of an existing idea or object to make it better suited for its purpose or goal. This could be making changes to a product design so it is easier to use or amplifying certain aspects of an advertisement campaign so it has more impact on its target audience.
Put To Another Use: Putting something to other uses involves finding alternative applications for already-existing items or ideas that may not have been considered before. This is often done by leveraging the strengths of the original concept and applying them in different settings or situations for them to become useful again in some way, shape or form. An example would be repurposing old furniture into decorative pieces for interior design projects.
Eliminate: This involves removing an element of the product or service that is unnecessary or no longer useful. For example, if you want to improve a website design, you could eliminate unnecessary text and images that do not contribute anything meaningful towards achieving your goal.
Rearrange: Rearranging means rearranging the parts of an idea to come up with something entirely new while still using all of the same basic components that were originally present at first glance without necessarily adding something else extra as well (in terms of additional features). An example here would entail transforming a billboard ad into either a newspaper ad format or something like cinema preroll spots format instead without having too much difficulty since all three mediums ultimately require utilizing visuals and text together, regardless!
SCAMPER is an effective tool that can be used by individuals and teams alike when brainstorming ideas on how best they can innovate their products and services. By asking targeted questions about each aspect of their project, they can develop creative solutions that will help them achieve their goals faster than ever!
The SCAMPER method gives users access to various thought processes, which helps encourage lateral thinking and allows users to think outside their comfort zone, resulting in more innovative solutions being reached quickly and effectively than would otherwise have been possible when working within set parameters alone, such as trial & error approach might end up providing instead over time as well (or even worse yet – no real solutions whatsoever!). Furthermore – it’s less cognitively taxing AND requires little amount of mental resources compared to most other types of brainstorming activities out there, which makes it a great option for individuals who may lack comprehensive experience truly unlock their full potential when tapping their own creativity coming up with incredible total solutions amidst seeming insurmountable obstacles too!
Related Terms:
- POINT: A technique for Purposes, Options, Impacts, Need and Test; it encourages the user to brainstorm possible solutions.
- Mind Mapping: This approach creates a visual map of all the ideas generated by the user to address a problem or reach a solution.
- Brainwriting: This collective brainstorming technique encourages creativity by inviting people to share ideas anonymously in writing.
- Morphological Analysis: This approach identifies all the potential combinations of existing products and attributes that could be used to create something new.
- TRIZ: Stands for Theory of Inventive Problem Solving; it uses an algorithm derived from Patent data to guide users with unconventional solutions.
- Synectics: The creative problem-solving method focuses on generating ideas as metaphors or analogies from unrelated topics.
Further Reading:
- Rikke Friis Dam, and Teo Yu Siang. “Scamper: How to Use the Best Ideation Methods.” The Interaction Design Foundation, Interaction Design Foundation, 26 Nov. 2016, www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/learn-how-to-use-the-best-ideation-methods-scamper
- Dr Rafiq Elmansy. “A Guide to the SCAMPER Technique for Creative Thinking – Designorate.” Designorate – Design Thinking, Innovation, User Experience and Healthcare Design, 10 Apr. 2015, www.designorate.com/a-guide-to-the-scamper-technique-for-creative-thinking/
- “MindTools | Home.” Mindtools.com, 2023, www.mindtools.com/ao2rt8j/scamper
FAQs:
- What is the SCAMPER framework? The SCAMPER framework is a creative problem-solving technique that stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Rearrange. It encourages people to think outside the box by asking questions about an existing product or service to develop innovative solutions.
- When can the SCAMPER method be used? The SCAMPER method can be used in any situation where you need to come up with creative solutions. Some examples include product development, marketing campaigns, or even personal goals.
- How does the Substitute step work in SCAMPER? Substituting involves replacing one element of an existing idea with another to form a completely new concept. For example, if you are trying to create a new cake recipe, you could substitute apples for oranges in an existing recipe.
- What does Combine involve in the SCAMPER framework? Combining involves taking two existing ideas and merging them together to create a single solution. This can be done by adding elements from both concepts or blending them together somehow. For example, combining two existing advertising campaigns into one unique campaign.
- Can you explain the Adapt step in SCAMPER? Adapting means tailoring an idea to fit a different purpose or environment. It involves changing some elements of the original concept while keeping the core intact. For example, adapting a product design to make it more suitable for a different country’s culture or regulations.
- What does the Modify step entail in the SCAMPER method? Modifying/magnifying involves altering or increasing the features of an existing idea or object to make it better suited for its purpose or goal. This could be making changes to a product design so it is easier to use or amplifying certain aspects of an advertisement campaign so it has more impact on its target audience.
- How does the Put to Another Use work in SCAMPER? Putting something to other uses involves finding alternative applications for already-existing items or ideas that may not have been considered before. This is often done by leveraging the strengths of the original concept and applying them in different settings or situations for them to become useful again in some way, shape, or form.
- Can you describe the Eliminate step in SCAMPER? Eliminating involves removing an element of the product or service that is unnecessary or no longer useful. For example, if you want to improve a website design, you could eliminate unnecessary text and images that do not contribute anything meaningful towards achieving your goal.
- What is involved in the Rearrange step of SCAMPER? Rearranging means rearranging the parts of an idea to come up with something entirely new while still using all of the same basic components that were originally present at first glance without necessarily adding something else extra as well (in terms of additional features).
- What are the benefits of using the SCAMPER method? The SCAMPER method helps users access various thought processes, encourages lateral thinking, and allows them to think outside their comfort zone. More innovative solutions are reached quickly and effectively than working within set parameters alone. Additionally, it’s less cognitively taxing and requires fewer mental resources.