One of the methods I teach on my Ideas Workshops is SCAMPER. It is a productive and versatile technique for examining a product or service from differing angles and for generating plenty of strongly innovative ideas. SCAMPER is an acronym and you ask the following types of question when you use this tool:
- SUBSTITUTE – What elements of this product or service can we substitute?
- COMBINE – How can we combine this with other products or services?
- ADAPT – What can we alter or adapt it?
- MAXIMISE OR MINIMISE – How can we greatly enlarge or greatly reduce any component?
- PUT TO OTHER USE – What completely different use can we have for our product?
- ELIMINATE – What elements of the product or service can be eliminated?
- REARRANGE OR REVERSE – How can we rearrange the product or reverse the process?
Now I have found a site which enhances the tool and offers a range of supplementary resources. Luciano Passuello has posted a blog on SCAMPER together with a SCAMPER random question generator and a SCAMPER mindmap. If you want to use this tool in your next brainstorm meeting then these resources are highly recommended.
Paul Sloane
