SCAMPER Method: Understanding and How to Apply It

In the process of developing ideas and plans, you can use various thinking methods. One of them is SCAMPER.

In SCAMPER there are various questions that aim to help you come up with the best ideas. The SCAMPER method can be used to create new products and services.

Here we explain more about the SCAMPER Method!

Understanding the SCAMPER Method

SCAMPER is a creative thinking method and technique that uses a series of questions to provoke innovation and new perspectives. According to Interaction-Design, SCAMPER consists of:

• Substitute
• Combine
• Adapt
• Modify (sometimes also called Magnify or Minify)
• Put to another use
• Eliminate
• Rearrange

Each component has a list of questions that aim to sharpen your way of thinking.

SCAMPER Question List

Use the following list of questions from each component as a reference to form a framework for thinking and making decisions.

Substitute

• You can focus on what changes or improvements need to be made with the following questions:
• What new ways or methods can I use to improve the quality of products or services?
• Should I change the composition of teams and tasks to make the process more effective?
• Should I change the basic ingredients of this product?
• Should I use new production techniques?
• Can I use this method for other products?
• What happens if my views and opinions on this product change?

Combine

In this component, you are challenged to combine and unite one or more materials, methods, and even people to produce innovation.

• Can I combine these two ingredients?
• Can I combine old materials with new materials?
• How do I optimize this leftover material into a new material?
• What will happen when I combine the two ingredients?
• What will happen if I combine these methods and ingredients?
• How can I help my team use this new method?

Adapt

As the name suggests, you will be asked to use your brain to utilize an object or resource in order to adapt and solve problems. Here's an example of a question:

• What kind of changes must be undergone in order to adapt to consumer needs?
• What values ​​and functions can be changed from this product?
• Is this product only used for one function?
• What processes and methods must change to produce the new product?

Modify (sometimes also called Magnify or Minify)

At this stage the list of questions will focus on product modifications and the methods you use to produce a product.

• What can be modified about this product?
• What value or function can be highlighted from this product?
• Should the size be enlarged or reduced?
• Should the color be lighter or darker?
• Does the position need to be adjusted again?
• Does this product need additional new features?
• What kind of new features do users need?

Put to another use

You will be invited to analyze new ways to use the product through the following questions:

• Are these products and services used in more than one industry?
• What industries need this product?
• Will this product change its function in other industries?
• If used differently, will this product still work well?
• Can this product be used by children?
• Can this product only be used by adults?

Eliminate

The goal is to optimize your product through changes or eliminating certain parts. So, try answering the following questions:

• What parts can I reduce without changing its function?
• Can I reduce the manufacturing costs?
• Can I lower the quality of the ingredients?
• Am I an unnecessary part?
• How to make this product smaller and lighter?
• How can I make this product easier to use?

Rearrange

Finally, you will be challenged to do something that goes against your habits or basic processes.

• Can I change the direction to the opposite?
• What would happen if the manufacturing process were swapped?
• What would happen if the positions were reversed?
• Can I start the process with the final stages first?

How to Apply the SCAMPER Method

After getting to know the ins and outs, the SCAMPER method may seem complicated. To make it easier for you, here are some simple ways to implement it, summarized from Mindtool:

1. Identify problems with products or services. Apart from problems, you can choose products that you feel need development.
2. Start answering the questions above, starting from Substitute to Rearrange. You don't need to answer all the questions, if you feel it's not relevant to your needs, just skip it.
3. These answers will produce new ideas, ways, methods and thought processes. Identify all these things according to the main objective.
4. Use the most appropriate ideas, methods, and thought processes in new plans and changes to the product. Also make sure you have a backup idea or method.

Example of Application of the SCAMPER Method

For example, your company has a product in the form of an application that provides home repair services. It's been a month since the number of users has not increased. With the SCAMPER Method you want to increase the number of users.

Substitute

Try to identify the service ordering process in the application. Can you change the process for ordering these services? Are there any complaints or input from consumers regarding the services offered?

Combine

Can the craftsman who repairs house leaks also carry out the process of painting the interior of the house? Are there features that can be combined on 1 page, to make it easier for consumers?

Adapt

Do the services offered in the application meet the needs of your consumers? Do you have to make a new survey to determine what consumer needs are? Can the services you offer go beyond home repairs and maintenance?

Modify (sometimes also called Magnify or Minify)

Are there customer testimonials that can be highlighted in applications and social media to increase potential customers' trust? What new features can make things easier for consumers?

Put to another use

Do you have to change the location of potential customers from Jakarta and Tangerang to only Tangerang?

Eliminate

What features or ordering steps can be removed to make it easier for customers to use?

Rearrange

If you look, there are no questions or steps relevant to the problem above.

The questions above can produce answers to steps or ways to increase the number of customers for your services. Make sure you come up with concrete steps. For example, if you want to make a discount, ask again “How much? What services are discounted?”

Apart from using SCAMPER, you can also learn to hone your critical and creative thinking skills through a short training program from prasmul-eli!
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