brainstorming - the scamper method

BrainstormingThe SCAMPER method

Substitute

Combine

Add / adapt

Modify / maximize / minimize

Put to other use

Eliminate

Rearrange or reverse

Input # 1

Substitute

What other purpose? What other rules? What other times? What other places? What other people? What other technologies? What other materials? What other shapes? What other elements / parts / components? What other colours? What other names? What other sounds or smells? What other processes? What other thoughts / attitudes / feelings?

Bicycle has other purpose as wheelchair

http://cyclist.sanspo.com/143432

Input # 2

Combine

Solar panels are combined with a keyboard.

http://www.logitech.com/

A table is combined with a lamp

What parts / components can be combined? What materials can be combined? What technologies can be combined? What can be combined with other objects? What people can be combined?

What can be combined to enhance synergy?

Input # 3

Add / Adapt

What can be added in order to create more value? What ideas outside my field can I use / add? What can I copy / borrow from other products / services? Whom can I emulate? What processes can be adapted? What different contexts can I put my concept in?

What can happen when a greenhouse is added to the roof of a supermarket or farmer’s market?

http://urbanfarmers.com/productsservices/uf-globe/

Input # 4

Modify, maximize and/or minimize

Example of apartment entrance renewalA closet is replaced with a larger closet, in which the front wall has an integrated mirror. In addition, the colour of the wall is changed from white to blue.

What can be made larger higher / bigger / stronger? What can be exaggerated / overstated? What can be duplicated / repeated? What can be increased in frequency? Which extra features can be added? What color, form, or shape can be added? What motion, sound, or smell can be added?

Input # 5

Put to other use

Butter holder is put to other use as soap holder

How could improved bicycle infrastructure in cities be used to simultaneously help increase sales of retail stores, reduce congestion in cities, improve the environment?

http://www.slideshare.net/frankcalberg/bicycle-friendly-cities

What else can the product / service be used for? Who else can the product / service be used by? How would a child use it? An elderly person? How would people with diabilities use it? What new ways are there to use it in its current form? What other possible uses are there if it’s modified? Can I use it in other industries? Can I use it in other markets / places?

Input # 6

Eliminate / subtract

What if lecture halls at university buildings were removed or redesigned as individual, quiet study booths, and/or workshop rooms for small groups.

What is nonessential or unnecessary? What would happen if it was made smaller? How can the rules / standards be eliminated? How can it be made more simple? How can it me made smaller / lower / shorter / lighter? What parts can be removed without changing its function? What features could be understated? In which different parts could it be split?

Input # 7

Rearrange or reverse

Can it be turned up side down or twisted? What might be rearranged? Could roles be reversed? Should the last step in a process be the first step?

What if external people are involved in what companies do?

https://delicious.com/frankcalberg/crowdsourcing

Further sources of inspiration

http://www.adb.org/documents/information/knowledge-solutions/the-scamper-technique.pdfhttp://www.brainstorming.co.uk/tutorials/scampertutorial.htmlhttp://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/2010/04/scamper-your-way-to-increased.htmlhttp://e-articles.info/e/a/title/Creativity:-Using-the-SCAMPER-Process/http://fosenabling.wetpaint.com/page/Scamperhttp://litemind.com/scamper/http://www.managementexchange.com/blog/so-you-want-be-creative-geniushttp://www.mycoted.com/SCAMPERhttp://www.slideshare.net/Tabby/in-4-scamper-toyota-iqhttp://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/thomas-edisons-creative-thinking-habits/

Thank you for your interest. For further inspiration and personalized services, feel welcome to visit http://www.frankcalberg.com

Have a great day.