The SCAMPER

method
Substitute
Combine
Add / adapt
Modify / maximize / minimize
Put to other use
Eliminate / subtract
Rearrange / reverse
 Question # 1
What can we substitute?
Examples of questions to ask
 What other values?
 What other products / services?
 What other competencies?
 What other technologies?
 What other methods?
 What other times?
 What other places?
 What other forms / shapes / colours?
 What other components / materials / parts?
 Question # 2
What can we combine?
A closet combined with a mirror.
A table combined with a lamp
Questions to ask
 What technologies can be combined?
 What parts / materials can be combined?
 What people can be connected?
 Question # 3
What can we add / adapt?
Questions to ask
 What ideas outside my field can I use / add?
 What products / services can I learn from?
 What people can I learn from?
 What different contexts can I put my concept in?
 Which extra function can be added?
 What photo or sound can be added?
 What color or form can be added?
 Question # 4
What can we modify,
maximize, and/or minimize?
Questions to ask
 What can be made larger / taller / bigger?
 What can be exaggerated / overstated?
 What can be made smaller / lighter?
 What can be duplicated / repeated?
 What can be increased in frequency?
 Question # 5
What can we put to other use?
Questions to ask
 What else can the product / service be used for?
 Who else can the product / service be used by?
 How would a child use it? An elderly person?
 How would people with diabilities use it?
 What new ways are there to use it in its current form?
 What other possible uses are there if it’s modified?
 Can I use it in other industries?
 Can I use it in other markets / places?
 Question # 6
What can eliminate / subtract?
Questions to ask
 What is unnecessary?
 What would happen if it was made smaller?
 What would happen if which rules are eliminated?
 How can it be made more simple?
 How can it me made smaller / lower / shorter / lighter?
 What parts can be removed without changing its function?
 In which different parts could it be split?
 Question # 7
What can we rearrange / reverse?
Questions to ask
 What can be moved?
 What can be arranged in a different way?
 What can be turned / twisted?
 What can be reversed / turned up side down?
Further sources of inspiration
http://www.adb.org/documents/information/knowledge-solutions/the-scamper-technique.pdf
http://www.brainstorming.co.uk/tutorials/scampertutorial.html
http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/2010/04/scamper-your-way-to-increased.html
http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/Creativity:-Using-the-SCAMPER-Process/
http://fosenabling.wetpaint.com/page/Scamper
http://litemind.com/scamper/
http://www.managementexchange.com/blog/so-you-want-be-creative-genius
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_02.htm
http://www.mycoted.com/SCAMPER
http://www.slideshare.net/Tabby/in-4-scamper-toyota-iq
http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/thomas-edisons-creative-thinking-habits/
https://youtu.be/G8w0rJhztJ4