SCAMPER
SCAMPER is a creative thinking technique that guides teams through a series of thought experiments to generate ideas for improving existing products, services, or processes. The acronym stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse.
Goal
The goal of SCAMPER is to foster innovation and creativity within teams by systematically exploring various ways to refine and evolve existing product offerings.
Context
Industry Context
Innovation is a key driver of competitive advantage and growth in today's fast-paced business environment. Companies that can continuously improve and adapt their products and services are better positioned to meet evolving customer needs and market demands.
ZeroBlockers Context
Teams are accountable for the outcomes they deliver, not just the outputs. This means they need to actively seek out diverse perspectives and ideas to ensure they are considering all possible solutions. SCAMPER provides a structured approach to stimulate creative thinking and generate a wide range of ideas.
Steps
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Substitute | Identify elements that can be replaced with alternatives. |
| Combine | Explore opportunities to merge or integrate different elements. |
| Adapt | Consider how existing elements can be modified or repurposed. |
| Modify | Examine ways to change or enhance existing elements. |
| Put to another use | Brainstorm alternative applications or contexts for existing elements. |
| Eliminate | Identify elements that can be removed or simplified. |
| Reverse | Consider reversing the order or perspective of existing elements. |
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Prioritised Opportunities | The most pressing problems or opportunities that the team is seeking to address, along with any relevant user research or insights. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Unvalidated Solutions | A list of potential solutions generated during the ideation session which can be further explored and validated. |
Anti-patterns
- Dominance by Vocal Individuals: Allowing louder voices to overshadow quieter participants.
- Convergence Too Early: Rushing to narrow down ideas before fully exploring them.
- Off-Topic Divergence: Straying too far from the initial problem statement or topic.