Method 28 SCAMPER

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Main idea and its purpose

The SCAMPER Method helps you generate ideas for new products and services by encouraging you to ask seven different types of questions that help you understand how you can innovate and improve existing products, services, problems, and ideas. SCAMPER is surprisingly easy to use and very effective in innovation and ideation sessions.
SCAMPER refers to a series of thought provocations which help you to innovate on an existing product, service, or situation by looking through different lenses. There are seven provocation lenses in the SCAMPER method:

· Substitute
· Combine
· Adapt
· Modify (Also Magnify and Minify)
· Put to another use
· Eliminate
· RearrangeThe method is used to solve a problem or to create a new idea based on an existing one.

Application guidance: scope of application, for example, when working with a group of a certain age and composition; in individual work, etc.

To find a new solution, consistently answer the questions, which are divided into groups:SubstituteWhat and how can it be replaced?Component parts:· form· existing rules· colour, surface, sound· one part by another· name· destination· direction of application of the idea or product· process participantsFor this stage, associations in the direction of change, replace, switch places, release, etc. are suitable.Combine1. What parts of an object, product, service, idea can be combined with each other or with something else?2. Is it possible to combine the given task, problem, idea with something else?3. What can be combined to expand the scope of application?For this stage, associations in the direction - mix, mix, combine, connect, connect, etc. are suitable.Adapt1. What is your product, idea, problem similar to and are there analogues?2. Have you encountered something similar?3. What else can be done in this situation?4. What of the existing ones can be used to solve the problem?5. What existing ideas can be adapted to solve the problem?6. Is it possible to present your concept in a different context?Associations on the topic - evaluate, verify, rework, vary, borrow, modernize, copy, borrow, transform, adapt, etc.Modifiti (modification)What and how you can: - modify - expand - make it more efficient - can be easily repeated - to give existing ideas and concepts additional valueThe theme for the association is to increase efficiency, significance, intensity, strengthening, expanding, increasing, etc.Put to other uses1. How else can it be used?2. Is it possible to use it in another city, and not only where it was planned?3. How could another person, such as a child or an elderly person, use this idea?4. Is it possible to apply an existing idea by modifying it?Themes for associations: make it more convenient, accessible; process, manipulate, rearrange, extend, take advantage of, benefit from, etc.Eliminate (elimination, or reduction to a minimum)1. Is it possible to simplify the problem, the idea?2. What can be removed from the context without significant changes?3. Which condition is not mandatory?4. Is it possible to make an exception to the rules?5. Is it possible and necessary to divide the problem into several parts.6. Is it possible to give it a smaller volume?Themes for associations - reduce, simplify, exclude, ignore, clean up, etc.1. What order will be the most optimal?2. Are there interchangeable parts?3. Can the sequence of actions be different?4. Is it possible to change the places of cause and effect?5. Can positive and negative aspects be interchanged?6. What will happen if we consider the problem in reverse order?7. What will happen if you act in reverse?Themes for associations - turn, flip, rearrange, move, interrupt, delete, swap, reorganize, change, change, etc.An example of the application of the method can be McDonald's marketing. Over the course of its existence, the brand has consistently gone through all stages - from replacing the product to replacing the service order. And as we see, it continues to change.The method can be effectively used in existing organizations and for existing ideas to reorganize, change, and increase efficiency. It can be applied personally to change some actions, processes, to typical approaches to solving problems, to make it more interesting, relevant and more effective.
It can be used both independently and in a group. First, formulate a problem, an idea - what is available now.

The results of applying the method, for example, increasing the ability to go beyond standard solutions, etc.

The result of applying the method can be a change in the order of actions, a product, an idea, or the creation of changes to the rules. The main achievement of the application of the method is the emergence in the team or in an individual of the ability and desire for constant development through changes, along with changes in the surrounding world.

Instructions for combining creativity methods

1. Determine the goal
Determine why you want to use creative methods in your work and for whom, that is, what is the purpose, goals, meanings, audience, for whom it is happening.
2. Read
Read the description of the methods and recommendations for their use.
3. Choose
Choose those that best suit your purpose and tasks. When choosing methods, pay attention to the fact that they can be conditionally divided into several groups:● procedural, those that help answer the question HOW TO DO IT? How to optimize the process? How to do the process differently?● horizontal, those that answer the question WHO? WITH WHO? FOR WHOM? This is about the distribution of responsibility, and about clarifying the interests, association or for whom we are doing it.● vertical, those related to WHY? WHAT IS A PURPOSE? WHAT IS THE MAIN? It is about clarifying the hierarchy in the structure, the essence of the problem and its solution, what it consists of and what one wants to achieve.
4. Make it specific
Add the missing aspect to the vector. Depending on the task, one of the vectors will be the main one, and the other 2 will be auxiliary.● For example, you need to start the learning process in a different, new way: you choose the most suitable methods for your task and audience, and add methods for vertical and horizontal questions. This will add specificity towards the goal of this process and the distribution of tasks for everyone in the process, will help determine who and what it will be useful for. This creates a habit of thinking in different directions and structuring the process.● For example, the "Blooming Lotus" method allows you to determine the vertical vector, disassemble the problem into components, detail it by seeing the entire system of the problem at the same time, show the connections between different elements and find a solution for each element separately. If we add a horizontal and procedural layer of questions from the SCAMPER method, adding and concentrating on what is still missing, what can be added, what aspect has not yet been revealed, then we will get an even more complete picture and a solution that will cover the maximum fields of the same problem.

5. Сombine methods
Find and add polar aspects. You can combine methods that are more structural with playful ones based on the principle of combining polarities. This can make the process emotional but also structured at the same time. Yes, you can first choose the method that, in your opinion, is most suitable for your problem and task, then immediately determine the one that you would rather not use, which highlights the opposite sides. Moreover, your determined polarity can be conditional, that is, you yourself can determine what is polar in your case, what is the opposite. ● For example, if in one method there is a lot about the connections between elements, their detailed description, diving into the essence of details, then choosing a method that will consider the system of the problem from above, the whole whole, the system as a separate element in the environment around it, this will add scaling in finding a solution.
6. Application time
Different methods require different periods of time when applied. When combining methods, it is better to take this into account by adding a simpler and time-limited method to a method that is time-consuming and more difficult to use.
7. Calibrate the original purpose
During the whole process, calibrate from time to time with the original purpose, goals, meaning for what it all happens and for whom, because in the exciting creative space it can be easy to lose the axis on which the whole process should rest.
8. Experiment
Having created a combination of methods, it is important to experiment and be ready for changes and adaptation of the newly created to the needs, goals and tasks even more, because during the approbation we can just see the fact that was not taken into account. Here we can go back to points 4 and 5, adding aspects that are missing.● Note: try to feel the process, be present in it as much as possible, and allow imperfection and something spontaneous to arise, because the marker of novelty is your surprise, expansion of space and emergence of unexpected details, solutions, ideas.

Instructions for combining creativity methods

1. Determine the goal
Determine why you want to use creative methods in your work and for whom, that is, what is the purpose, goals, meanings, audience, for whom it is happening.
2. Read
Read the description of the methods and recommendations for their use.

5. Сombine methods
Find and add polar aspects. You can combine methods that are more structural with playful ones based on the principle of combining polarities. This can make the process emotional but also structured at the same time. Yes, you can first choose the method that, in your opinion, is most suitable for your problem and task, then immediately determine the one that you would rather not use, which highlights the opposite sides. Moreover, your determined polarity can be conditional, that is, you yourself can determine what is polar in your case, what is the opposite. ● For example, if in one method there is a lot about the connections between elements, their detailed description, diving into the essence of details, then choosing a method that will consider the system of the problem from above, the whole whole, the system as a separate element in the environment around it, this will add scaling in finding a solution.
6. Application time
Different methods require different periods of time when applied. When combining methods, it is better to take this into account by adding a simpler and time-limited method to a method that is time-consuming and more difficult to use.

3. Choose
Choose those that best suit your purpose and tasks. When choosing methods, pay attention to the fact that they can be conditionally divided into several groups:● procedural, those that help answer the question HOW TO DO IT? How to optimize the process? How to do the process differently?● horizontal, those that answer the question WHO? WITH WHO? FOR WHOM? This is about the distribution of responsibility, and about clarifying the interests, association or for whom we are doing it.● vertical, those related to WHY? WHAT IS A PURPOSE? WHAT IS THE MAIN? It is about clarifying the hierarchy in the structure, the essence of the problem and its solution, what it consists of and what one wants to achieve.
4. Make it specific
Add the missing aspect to the vector. Depending on the task, one of the vectors will be the main one, and the other 2 will be auxiliary.● For example, you need to start the learning process in a different, new way: you choose the most suitable methods for your task and audience, and add methods for vertical and horizontal questions. This will add specificity towards the goal of this process and the distribution of tasks for everyone in the process, will help determine who and what it will be useful for. This creates a habit of thinking in different directions and structuring the process.● For example, the "Blooming Lotus" method allows you to determine the vertical vector, disassemble the problem into components, detail it by seeing the entire system of the problem at the same time, show the connections between different elements and find a solution for each element separately. If we add a horizontal and procedural layer of questions from the SCAMPER method, adding and concentrating on what is still missing, what can be added, what aspect has not yet been revealed, then we will get an even more complete picture and a solution that will cover the maximum fields of the same problem.

7. Calibrate the original purpose
During the whole process, calibrate from time to time with the original purpose, goals, meaning for what it all happens and for whom, because in the exciting creative space it can be easy to lose the axis on which the whole process should rest.
8. Experiment
Having created a combination of methods, it is important to experiment and be ready for changes and adaptation of the newly created to the needs, goals and tasks even more, because during the approbation we can just see the fact that was not taken into account. Here we can go back to points 4 and 5, adding aspects that are missing.● Note: try to feel the process, be present in it as much as possible, and allow imperfection and something spontaneous to arise, because the marker of novelty is your surprise, expansion of space and emergence of unexpected details, solutions, ideas.

Desirable thinking

Instructions for combining creativity methods

Determine why you want to use creative methods in your work and for whom, that is, what is the purpose, goals, meanings, audience, for whom it is happening.

Read the description of the methods and recommendations for their use.

5. Сombine methods

6. Application time

Different methods require different periods of time when applied. When combining methods, it is better to take this into account by adding a simpler and time-limited method to a method that is time-consuming and more difficult to use.

7. Calibrate the original purpose

During the whole process, calibrate from time to time with the original purpose, goals, meaning for what it all happens and for whom, because in the exciting creative space it can be easy to lose the axis on which the whole process should rest.

8. Experiment

Instructions for combining creativity methods

Determine why you want to use creative methods in your work and for whom, that is, what is the purpose, goals, meanings, audience, for whom it is happening.

Read the description of the methods and recommendations for their use.

3. Choose

4. Make it specific

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