SCAMPER
Coming Up With Ideas for Improving Your Products and Services

When you're trying to improve a product or service, it can be hard to generate new ideas.

This is where SCAMPER can help you - by building on what you've already got!

SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. [1]

Start Brainstorming! 
First think about an existing product or service that you want to improve. Then, using the SCAMPER mnemonic as a guide, start asking questions (we've included examples for each).

Substitute
What components could you substitute in this product?

Combine
How could you combine talent and resources to create a new approach to this service?

Adapt
How could you adapt or adjust this product to serve another purpose or use?

Modify 
What could you change, emphasize or highlight to create more value for the customer?

Put to another use
Could you recycle the waste from this product to make something new? Or use it in a different way?

Eliminate
How could you streamline or simplify this product?

Reverse
What if you try to do the exact opposite of what you're doing now?

Let it Flow!
Don't worry if some of the new ideas turn out to be impractical or unsuitable. Just generate as many as you can, and evaluate them later.

References
[1] Eberle, B. (1996) 'Scamper: Creative Games and Activities for Imagination Development,' Austin: Prufrock Press.


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