THINK CRITICALLY WITH SCAMPER

SCAMPER is a list of thought provokers, to spark innovative thinking.

Look at your idea, service, product, through the 7 lenses of SCAMPER.

The acronym SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to Another Use, Eliminate and Reverse.

SUBSTITUTE

Focus on the parts in the product, service or solution that can be replaced with a better alternative, without affecting the whole solution.

Can the idea be used for another project? Can some other material or ingredient be a substitute? Can another process or procedure be used? Substitute one part for another? Etc.

COMBINE

Analyse the possibility of merging two ideas, stages of the process or product in one single more efficient output. Sometimes, combining unrelated ideas can lead to a new product or technology which leads to market strength.

Can materials be combined, which could lower costs? Can unrelated processes be merged for greater efficiencies? Can features across separate products or services be merged? Etc.

ADAPT

Adjust or tweak the product or service for a better output. This adjustment can range between minor changes to radical changes in the whole solution.

Can one component be converted into another relevant use in the same solution?

MODIFY

Change a process in a way that unleashes more innovative capabilities or solves problems. It is more that just adjustment, as it focuses on the overall process.

What to dramatically increase/decrease/change in an existing component?

PUT TO ANOTHER USE

Think how to put the current product or process to another use or use them to solve problems.

What other parts in the enterprise can use the product/process? What are the benefits for the product/process if used elsewhere or by someone entirely different?

ELIMINATE

Evaluate what within the solution is so unnecessary that by removing it, you would successfully improve efficiencies, reduce costs, without changing the desirability of the solution. 

What can be simplified, minimised, removed?

REVERSE

Reversing standard process or part of it, can either help reduce effort or produce more beneficial outcomes to all involved.

How can we do what is the anti-thesis of normal? What if we re-arranged current standards for better output?

🗝️ STEPS

There is no sequential flow to follow while moving from each of the seven thinking techniques. The principle of force fitting should be adapted during the thinking sessions.

Look at the answers that you came up with. Do any of the answers stand out as viable solutions? Could you use any of them to create a new product, or develop an existing one?

Take the good ideas and explore them further.

💯 TIPS

 Under each lens, look at the values, benefits, attributes, services, touch-points, pricing, markets or other aspects that are relevant to the idea, service or product.

Then further explore the new ideas.