Use this tool to help you come up with more creative ideas. Take an existing idea. Talk about it with your team, using the letters of SCAMPER as a way to guide your discussion. Write down new and interesting ideas that come out of your discussion. Do not force yourself to use all the questions or prompts. Use what works for your team.
S – Substitute
Who or what instead? Other people, companies, stakeholders? Other ingredients, materials, processes? Other approach, power supply, time?
C – Combine
Connect two ideas; How about a blend, an assortment, an ensemble? Combine units, purposes, appeals, ideas? Merge with another product, service, or idea?
A – Adapt
What else is like this? What other ideas does this suggest? Are there real world examples to learn from? Who could I emulate? What can inspire us?
M – Modify, Magnify, Minimize
New twist? Change name, meaning, motion, sound, odor, form, shape? Add more time, frequency? Stronger, higher, longer, smaller? What to reduce – less time, value? Weaker, lower, shorter? Remove an ingredient? Divide?
P – Put to other uses
New ways to use it as is? Other uses if modified? Other places to use? Other people to reach? Different locations, contexts? Different user group?
E – Eliminate
What to remove, subtract, delete, omit, or do without? How to make it simpler?
R – Reverse or rearrange
Turn backwards, upside down? Reverse roles? Interchange components: Other pattern, layout, or sequence? Switch up steps?
