An action-orientated review model to convert past experience into practice.
Start from the basics and find a new, more logical way of doing things.
Protect your emotional boundaries.
Understand users with clarity, even when resources are tight.
Continuously asking “So what might happen next?” to project how one event could trigger another.
Gather comprehensive information and provide clarity in various situations.
A creativity technique designed to generate a large number of ideas.
Allows you to handle challenges with clarity, whether you need to see the big picture or focus on the details.
Generate new ideas by systematically remixing existing products, processes, and assumptions.
Define measurable outcomes and success metrics before you commit to building features.
Generate new ideas by systematically remixing existing products, processes, and assumptions.
We often think innovation requires a "Eureka!" moment from a genius. In reality, most new ideas come from remixing old ones. The iPhone, for example, combined a phone, an iPod, and an internet communicator.
The SCAMPER Model, proposed by Alex Osborn (the father of brainstorming) and arranged by Bob Eberle, provides a structured checklist to force this kind of remixing. It stops you from staring at a blank whiteboard and gives you 7 specific angles to attack any problem.
SCAMPER is an acronym that prompts you to ask seven specific types of questions about an existing product or process. It operates on the principle that "everything new is just a modification of something that already exists."
This factor involves replacing one part of a product, process, or idea with something else. You can improve functionality, reduce costs, or meet new needs by substituting.
Example 1: A company could substitute traditional plastic packaging with biodegradable material for their products, reducing environmental impact.
Example 2: In a mobile app, replace a manual photo upload feature with a cloud-syncing option, allowing users to automatically upload their images.
Combining two or more elements can lead to innovative ideas. This involves merging separate features or products to create a more efficient or useful solution.
Example 1: Combine a traditional backpack with built-in solar panels to charge devices on the go, offering an eco-friendly and practical solution for hikers or travelers.
Example 2: Merge a fitness tracker and a smartwatch into a single device that tracks activity while offering notifications and smart features, saving the user from carrying two devices.
Modifying an existing idea or product to meet new needs, use cases, or market demands. It could involve redesigning an element or rethinking the purpose of a product.
Example 1: Adapt a car seat design to make it more adjustable for children of different sizes, improving comfort and safety.
Example 2: A mobile payment app can adapt to include cryptocurrency options, making it accessible to users who prefer using digital currencies.
Magnification involves amplifying or expanding a certain aspect of a product to improve its function, appeal, or value. This can mean increasing size, complexity, or importance.
Example 1: Magnify the display screen of a tablet, making it larger to enhance usability for tasks like reading or video editing.
Example 2: In a camera design, magnify the lens quality and zoom feature to offer better resolution and clearer images for professional photographers.
This factor challenges you to find new uses for an existing product or service, which can lead to the discovery of untapped markets or functions.
Example 1: Repurpose an old smartphone as a home security camera by installing security software, turning a non-functional phone into a useful surveillance tool.
Example 2: Use a bicycle basket, traditionally used for carrying groceries, as a portable storage solution for office supplies in a workspace, finding a new use for the product.
Eliminate unnecessary elements or processes to simplify a product or service. This can help improve efficiency, reduce costs, or make the product more user-friendly.
Example 1: Eliminate the need for multiple remote controls by designing a universal remote that controls TVs, air conditioners, and other appliances, streamlining home entertainment systems.
Example 2: In a restaurant, eliminate complex menu items that require extensive preparation, focusing instead on a few high-quality dishes that are quicker to serve.
Reversing involves rearranging or rethinking the order or structure of something. This can often lead to fresh insights or improvements in process or design.
Example 1: Reverse the traditional process in a clothing store by allowing customers to pick the fabrics first, and then offering pre-made designs to choose from, making the shopping experience more customizable.
Example 2: In a software development process, reverse the order of testing by starting with user feedback and bug reports before developing new features, ensuring that user concerns are prioritized.