www.designorate.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700:3035::ac43:8670  Public Scan

Form analysis
3 forms found in the DOM

GET https://www.designorate.com/

<form action="https://www.designorate.com/" class="search-form searchform clearfix" method="get" role="search">
  <div class="search-wrap">
    <input type="search" class="s field" name="s" value="" placeholder="Search">
    <button class="search-icon" type="submit"></button>
  </div>
</form>

POST https://www.designorate.com/wp-comments-post.php

<form action="https://www.designorate.com/wp-comments-post.php" method="post" id="commentform" class="comment-form" novalidate="">
  <p class="comment-notes"><span id="email-notes">Your email address will not be published.</span> <span class="required-field-message">Required fields are marked <span class="required">*</span></span></p>
  <p class="comment-form-comment"><label for="comment">Comment <span class="required">*</span></label> <textarea id="comment" name="comment" cols="45" rows="8" maxlength="65525" required=""></textarea></p>
  <p class="comment-form-author"><label for="author">Name <span class="required">*</span></label> <input id="author" name="author" type="text" value="" size="30" maxlength="245" autocomplete="name" required=""></p>
  <p class="comment-form-email"><label for="email">Email <span class="required">*</span></label> <input id="email" name="email" type="email" value="" size="30" maxlength="100" aria-describedby="email-notes" autocomplete="email" required=""></p>
  <p class="comment-form-url"><label for="url">Website</label> <input id="url" name="url" type="url" value="" size="30" maxlength="200" autocomplete="url"></p>
  <input type="hidden" name="_mc4wp_subscribe_wp-comment-form" value="0">
  <p class="mc4wp-checkbox mc4wp-checkbox-wp-comment-form "><label><input type="checkbox" name="_mc4wp_subscribe_wp-comment-form" value="1"><span>Sign me up for the newsletter!</span></label></p>
  <p class="form-submit"><input name="submit" type="submit" id="submit" class="submit" value="Post Comment"> <input type="hidden" name="comment_post_ID" value="398" id="comment_post_ID">
    <input type="hidden" name="comment_parent" id="comment_parent" value="0">
  </p>
  <p style="display: none;"><input type="hidden" id="akismet_comment_nonce" name="akismet_comment_nonce" value="475eae422c"></p>
  <p style="display: none !important;"><label>Δ<textarea name="ak_hp_textarea" cols="45" rows="8" maxlength="100"></textarea></label><input type="hidden" id="ak_js_1" name="ak_js" value="242">
    <script type="rocketlazyloadscript">document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );</script>
  </p>
</form>

Name: mc-embedded-subscribe-form — POST //designorate.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=9024106bd25a6568df16a5469&id=083d0427b1

<form id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" action="//designorate.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=9024106bd25a6568df16a5469&amp;id=083d0427b1" method="post" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" novalidate="novalidate" target="_blank">
  <div id="mc_embed_signup_scroll">
    <div class="mc-field-group"><label for="mce-EMAIL">Email Address </label><br>
      <input id="mce-EMAIL" class="required email" name="EMAIL" type="email" value="" aria-required="true">
    </div>
    <div id="mce-responses" class="clear"></div>
    <p></p>
    <div style="position: absolute; left: -5000px;" aria-hidden="true"><input tabindex="-1" name="b_9024106bd25a6568df16a5469_083d0427b1" type="text" value=""></div>
    <div class="clear"><input id="mc-embedded-subscribe" class="button" name="subscribe" type="submit" value="Subscribe"></div>
  </div>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to content


DESIGNORATE

Design thinking, innovation, user experience and healthcare design



 * Home
   * About Rafiq Elmansy
   * Contact us
   * Privacy Policy
 * Design Thinking
 * Design Management
 * UX Design
 * Healthcare Design
 * Sustainable Design

Design Thinking Tools Problem Solving 


A GUIDE TO THE SCAMPER TECHNIQUE FOR CREATIVE THINKING

Dr Rafiq Elmansy 04/10/201505/23/2022SCAMPER Technique 9 min read

Creative thinking and problem-solving are essential parts of the design process
to turn ideas into innovation and break the barriers against creativity. One of
the successful methods used in creative thinking is the SCAMPER technique. While
there are different creative thinking and problem-solving techniques such as
reversed brainstorming, Hurson’s thinking model, the six hats of critical
thinking and Lego Serious Play, SCAMPER is considered one of the easiest and
most direct methods. The SCAMPER technique is based very simply on the idea that
what is new is actually a modification of existing old things around us.

Download our free SCAMPER template at the end of the article.

> “There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don’t
> know.” – Ambrose Bierce

Tech and Gaming

More Videos


0 seconds of 34 secondsVolume 0%

Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabled
Play/PauseSPACE
Increase Volume↑
Decrease Volume↓
Seek Forward→
Seek Backward←
Captions On/Offc
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreenf
Mute/Unmutem
Seek %0-9
Next Up
How to Apply Reversed Brainstorming?
09:08
facebook twitter Email pinterest
Linkhttps://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/dDrRdNdQ
Copied
Auto180p720p540p360p270p180p
Live
00:00
00:34
00:34








 

SCAMPER was first introduced by Bob Eberle to address targeted questions that
help solve problems or ignite creativity during brainstorming meetings. The name
SCAMPER is acronym for seven techniques; (S) substitute, (C) combine, (A) adapt,
(M) modify, (P) put to another use, (E) eliminate and (R) reverse. These
keywords represent the necessary questions addressed during the creative
thinking meeting.

Contents

Toggle
 * What is the SCAMPER technique? And How does it work?
   * Substitute
   * Combine
   * Adapt
   * Modify, minify or magnify
   * Put to another use
   * Eliminate or elaborate
   * Reverse
 * Conclusion
   * Download SCAMPER template




WHAT IS THE SCAMPER TECHNIQUE? AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

During the need for critical thinking either alone or inside a group, forcing
the mind to think in a specific flow can help emerging innovative ideas that
won’t be possible to reach using a regular thinking flow. The SCAMPER technique
aims to provide seven different thinking approaches to find innovative ideas and
solutions.

There are two main concepts to keep in mind before starting the brainstorming
using the SCAMPER technique; yet there is no sequential flow to follow while
moving from each of the seven thinking techniques. Unlike Disney’s creative
strategy method, SCAMPER facilitators can move between different techniques
without restricted to a specific flow. Secondly, the principle of force fitting
should be adapted during the thinking sessions. For example, any response to the
SCAMPER technique is welcomed no matter how non-logical is it. The seven SCAMPER
techniques include the following:






SUBSTITUTE

The substitute technique focuses on the parts in the product, service or
solution that can be replaced with another. During this part of the discussion
the meeting attendees focus on making decisions to substitute part of the
process with another. Questions asked during this part are:

 * What part of the process can be substituted without affecting the whole
   project?
 * Who or what can be substituted without affecting the process?
 * What part in the process can be replaced with better alternatives?
 * Can the project time or place be replaced?
 * What will happen when we replace part of the project with another?
 * Where else could you sell the product?
 * Could we use another alternative of X?
 * Can we substitute the current device with another better one?
 * Can we replace the process with simpler one?

The substitute technique tends to provide alternative solutions for decision
makers to evaluate different solutions in order to reach the final action.


COMBINE

The combine technique tends to analyze the possibility of merging two ideas,
stages of the process or product in one single more efficient output. In some
cases, combining two innovative ideas can lead to a new product or technology
which leads to market strength. For example, merging phone technology with
digital camera produced a new revolutionary product in the telecommunications
industry. The combine technique discussion can include the following questions:

 * Can we merge two steps of the process?
 * Can we apply two processes at the same time?
 * Can our company combine resources with another partner in the market?
 * Can we mix two or more components together?
 * Can we combine X and Y technologies?


ADAPT

Adapt refers to a brainstorming discussion that aims to adjust or tweak product
or service for a better output. This adjustment can range between minor changes
to radical changes in the whole project. Adaption is one of the efficient
techniques to solve problems through enhancing the existing system. The adapt
technique brainstorming session can include the following questions:


 * What would we need to change to reach better results?
 * What else could be done in this specific task?
 * How can we improve the existing process?
 * How can we adjust the existing product?
 * How can we make the process more flexible?


MODIFY, MINIFY OR MAGNIFY

The modify technique refers to changing the process in a way that unleashes more
innovative capabilities or solves problems. This change is more that just
adjustment as it focuses on the overall process. For example, it can target
reducing the project’s process or change our perspective of how to look at the
problem. The questions asked under this rubric include:

 * How will modifying the process improve results?
 * What if we had a double consumer base?
 * If the market was different, what would the process look like?
 * Can we change the process to work more efficiently?
 * What if the product is double the current size?


PUT TO ANOTHER USE

This technique concerns how to put the current product or process in another
purpose or how to use the existing product to solve problems. For example, this
technique can be used to learn how to shift an existing product to another
market segment or user type. The questions in this technique can include the
following:

 * What other parts in the company can use the product?
 * What are the benefits for the product if used elsewhere?
 * What if we target another market segmentation for the current product?
 * Can we add a specific step into the process to replace another?
 * What are other ways can we use it?
 * Can we recycle the waste for another use?


ELIMINATE OR ELABORATE

As the name implies, this technique aims to identify the parts of the process
that can be eliminated to improve the process product or service. It also helps
to explore the unnecessary parts of the project. Questions related to this part
includes:


 * What would happened if we removed this part?
 * How can we achieve the same output without specific part of the project?
 * Do we need this specific part?
 * What would we do if we had to work with half the resources?

In some situations, the unnecessary resources or steps in the process provide
extra load for the project to achieve innovation and creativity. Eliminating
these resources extends the ability to innovate and allocate more resources for
creativity within the organizations.


REVERSE

Finally, the reverse or rearrange technique aims to explore the innovative
potential when changing the order of the process in the production line.
Reversing the process or part of it can help solving problems or produce more
innovative output. The questions in this part include:

 * What would happened if we reverse the process?
 * How can we rearrange the current status for better output?
 * What if we consider it backwards?
 * Can we interchange elements?


CONCLUSION

The SCAMPER technique is one of the easiest and direct methods for creative
thinking and problem-solving through a number of techniques or question types;
(S) substitute, (C) combine, (A) adapt, (M) modify, (P) put to another use, (E)
eliminate and (R) reverse. These types can be used to explore problems from
seven perspectives. This holistic technique of study helps reaching the best
decision which fuels innovation and creativity.

 


DOWNLOAD SCAMPER TEMPLATE


Download








DR RAFIQ ELMANSY

 * 

I'm an academic, author and design thinker, currently teaching design at the
University of Leeds with a research focus on design thinking, design for health,
interaction design and design for behaviour change. I developed and taught
design programmes at Wrexham Glyndwr University, Northumbria University and The
American University in Cairo. Additionally, I'm a published book author and
founder of Designorate.com. I am a fellow for the Higher Education Academy
(HEA), the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), and an Adobe Education Leader. I write
Adobe certification exams with Pearson Certiport. My design experience involves
20 years working with clients such as the UN, World Bank, Adobe, and Schneider.
I worked with the Adobe team in developing many Adobe applications for more than
12 years.


Share This Post:




YOU MAY ALSO LIKE


GUIDE FOR CRITICAL THINKING FOR DESIGNERS

Dr Rafiq Elmansy 10/18/201604/03/2023

In every single day in our life, we are faced with a number of choices to make,
problems to solve, and ideas to evaluate or analyze. However, these activities
are




PROBLEM SOLVING USING HURSON’S PRODUCTION THINKING MODEL

Dr Rafiq Elmansy 03/27/201505/23/2022

The ability to solve problems is one of the essential strong points inside
successful organizations. Seeing the success of a companies’ innovation and
creativity does not mean that everything went


WHY DESIGN THINKING DOESN’T WORK

Dr Rafiq Elmansy 02/26/202303/12/2023

Many articles have recently addressed design thinking as a mindset to solve
problems and achieve innovation by focusing on human needs. However, the
over-commercialisation and promotions have led to a


HOW TO EVALUATE DESIGN IDEAS

Dr Rafiq Elmansy 01/08/201503/23/2015

Design and innovation play an essential role in today’s business success through
fueling an organization’s future with creative ideas that in turn, will help
maintain superiority in market competition. Investing


NO GOOD SERVICE DESIGN WITHOUT GOOD STORYTELLING

Dr Rafiq Elmansy 12/14/201610/09/2022

The Human Being used stories since the dawn of civilization to as a method for
communication, amusement, reflecting emotions, and telling their experience.
Stories are a great tool to visualize


HOW DESIGNERS CAN USE ROLESTORMING TO UNDERSTAND CONSUMERS

Dr Rafiq Elmansy 10/15/201503/20/2021

Brainstorming techniques are used to achieve different goals, including finding
creative ideas, solving problems, and understanding the target consumer during
the ideation phase of the design process. However, brainstorming team


2 THOUGHTS ON “A GUIDE TO THE SCAMPER TECHNIQUE FOR CREATIVE THINKING”

 * haydy
   09/22/2021 at 12:36 pm
   Permalink
   
   Hello sir,
   I am a teacher in an IB school, I would like to invite you in our school to
   inspire our students with your knowledge. I hope you don`t mind and accept
   our invitation.
   Thanks in advance.
   Best Regards,
   Mrs Haydy.
   
   Reply
   * Designorate Team
     06/26/2022 at 9:54 pm
     Permalink
     
     Hi Haydy, I’m sorry for the delay reply. I used to have lots of spam
     through comments which makes some hard to find. The best way to get in
     touch is through email contact@designorate.com
     
     Reply


LEAVE A REPLY CANCEL REPLY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website

Sign me up for the newsletter!





Δ

1 23452



DON’T MISS IT, FOLLOW US:

Email Address

















 * Privacy Policy
 * Contact us



 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 


Copyright © 2023 Designorate.com. All rights reserved.


Subscribe to our notifications for the latest news and updates. You can disable
anytime.


SubscribeLater


Update Privacy Preferences
A Raptive Partner Site