The SCAMPER Technique

What it is:
The SCAMPER technique is a creative problem-solving tool used to spark new ideas by encouraging you to look at a problem or product from different perspectives. SCAMPER is an acronym that stands for:

• Substitute

• Combine

• Adapt

• Magnify

• Put to another use

• Eliminate

• Rearrange

How to use it:

1. Identify the Problem:
   Clearly define the problem or product you want to innovate or improve.

2. Substitute:

   • Ask: What can I replace or substitute?

   • Think about what elements in the product or process could be swapped with something else to improve it.

3. Combine:

   • Ask: What can I combine?

   • Explore combining different elements or ideas to create something new. For example, how can you merge two concepts or approaches?

4. Adapt:

   • Ask: What can I adapt or copy?

   • Look for solutions in other industries or areas that you could adapt for your situation. How have others solved similar problems?

5. Magnify:

   • Ask: What can I magnify or make bigger?

   • Think about what features or elements can be enhanced or expanded to add more value or create a stronger impact.

6. Put to Another Use:

   • Ask: What can I put to another use?

   • Consider how you could repurpose or reuse existing resources, ideas, or products in a new context.

7. Eliminate:

   • Ask: What can I eliminate or remove?

   • Identify unnecessary components or steps in the process and eliminate them to streamline or simplify.

8. Rearrange:

   • Ask: What can I rearrange or reverse?

   • Experiment with changing the order, structure, or sequence of the elements involved. What would happen if you reversed or re-sequenced certain steps?

9. Evaluate and Implement:

   • After using the SCAMPER technique, select the most promising ideas and evaluate them based on feasibility, impact, and alignment with your goal.

   • Implement the selected ideas and monitor their effectiveness.

When to use it:

• When facing a stagnant project or needing to innovate.

• To improve products, services, or processes.

• To explore multiple solutions to a problem.

Why it works:
SCAMPER encourages creative thinking by prompting you to approach a problem from different angles. It challenges assumptions and inspires innovative solutions.

Expected outcomes:

• New and innovative solutions to problems.

• Improved ability to think outside the box.

• A structured way to brainstorm and test multiple ideas.

Download The SCAMPER Technique Template