Improve your creative process with this powerful brainstorming technique

One of my favorite brainstorming systems is the SCAMPER technique. It means Replace, mix, adapt, modify, reuse, eliminate and reverse. Advertising executive Alex Faickney Osborn developed the original principles in 1953. Bob Eberle then turned them into a memorable acronym and expanded on the concept in 1971, writing the book: Scamper: Games that develop imagination.

Many people imagine this creative considering it is an innate ability. This could also be true for some people, but the remainder of us may also get creative with tools like SCAMPER. Let’s dive in.

Define the problem to resolve

Before you begin, clearly define the problem. You can apply SCAMPER to products, processes, ideas or the rest you ought to improve. You may even use it to find latest opportunities to compete. To illustrate this technique, let’s consider the transition from internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles (EVs), examining each element of the SCAMPER technique.

To replace

The first element of SCAMPER is To replace. Look at your idea and break it down into parts. What people, materials, processes or other elements does it consist of? What people could you replace in the process to get a different result and why? What happens if you modify a material, process, or something else?

If you’ve got been considering about ways to enhance gas-powered cars, you could be asking yourself what to exchange. Finally, you could ask yourself if you’ll be able to replace its power source. The switch from gas to electricity is a substitute that provides rise to the idea of ​​electric cars and sets off a chain response of imagining each element being replaced by an electronic equivalent.

To mix

Now take existing components, in addition to placeholders, and imagine combining them in latest ways. Can you achieve a higher result? Are there features or features that you could possibly mix to enhance your idea in some way? What about the process?

The chassis of ordinary cars typically consists of a whole bunch of parts that are joined together during production. Tesla simplified the chassis of its vehicle using a process called gigacastingwhere they solid it as a single unit. It may be considered a combination of a whole bunch of parts needed for the same purpose in gas-powered cars.

Adapt

As you delve deeper into the SCAMPER technique, consider how you’ll be able to adapt your idea. Can you transform a process or element of your idea to enhance it? Can you make your idea work in another way?

In our example, don’t just think about adapting the vehicle or its power source. Think about the driver. How did people have to adapt for electric vehicles to change into popular? One way was that they needed to be comfortable with slowly charging their vehicles at home or finding charging stations, somewhat than relying on a vast network of gas stations. This has led to innovations in the way electric vehicles are powered. For example, we discover charging stations in shopping malls and other places where people spend time doing other things. Another example of adaptation was the development of a method to quick substitute weak batteries with latest ones, as a substitute of requiring drivers to attend for charging to finish.

Modify

You can think of substitution, part combining, and adaptation as different types of modification. Now think about how you’ll be able to change the things that do not fit into these categories. What happens if you make this change? Can you increase or decrease something to get a different effect? Try zooming in and out to discover other items to switch.

One of the modifications introduced by Tesla was flatten the battery and use it to strengthen your automobile floor. Compare this to installing the battery in the back or front of a automobile, equivalent to the Prius and other earlier vehicles. As a result, the center of gravity was lowered, which, among other things, improved safety and handling.

Use them in a different way

Now think about how you need to use your product, process, or idea in a different way. How can you employ it in a different way? Think about adjoining markets that you simply have not explored.

Part of Tesla’s success was its focus on “cool” in its marketing somewhat than usability. They introduced a latest use for electric vehicles with the Cybertruck, which looks like something out of Mad Max. This Cool. They have also used their technology for other purposes. Trucks with electric trailers are able to hauling heavy loads. Over time, we may see much more ways to make use of this technology in other ways.

Eliminate

Take a second look at all the elements of your concept. What would occur if you removed one of its parts? What about other parts or processes? Are there any unnecessary elements?

One of the radical innovations for Tesla was the digitization of the electric vehicle’s dashboard. The move eliminated analog dials, mechanical odometers and other parts and replaced them with a 17-inch LCD display. The change simplified the design and reduced the variety of parts while increasing flexibility.

Reverse

What would occur if you flipped your idea, turned it the wrong way up, or reversed the order of things? How about turning it back and forth? Will anything change?

The obvious change with electric vehicles was the relationship between the driver and the automobile. By definition, drivers drive cars. With the advent of autonomous cars, the automobile effectively “guides” the “driver.” You may also attempt to look at the production process backwards to discover waste and optimize production.

You can use the SCAMPER technique in virtually any industry. Take the EV examples from this article and try to exchange them with the product, process or idea you are working on. Teach this method to your team and see how it should make your organization more modern and enjoyable.