SCAMPER

The Divergent Spark Plug

What is the Purpose?

Stimulate out the box thinking
Help to redirect thinking
Opportunity to increase the speed of idea generation

The Essential Agreements For Divergent Thinking

The Basics: defer judgment, seek quantity, encourage all ideas, make
connections, seek novelty (have these visible as a reminder)
State the task clearly and concisely
Consider and discuss the reasons and purpose for selecting SCAMPER
Be aware of your thinking and progress
Debrief

The Steps for Using Scamper

1. State your challenge briefly and clearly

Example: Plastic Inc. has experienced a dramatic decline in the sales of their
whiter than white plastic forks and need to launch a newly improved and
innovative fork.

2. Pick a letter from the SCAMPER list

State the word that the letter represents

Example: S Substitute

What other materials can be used instead of plastic?

Encourage the group to list as many ideas as they can

 3. Questions
Ask probing questions
Example: What can you substitute?
What else could you use instead?
What other materials can be used instead of plastic?

4. Choose Additional Letters

If you notice that the fluency has declined, choose additional letters, words
and questions to spark new ideas

5. Review
Review all of the options that were generated and determine whether or not
they have met the criteria of the challenge

6. Decision-Making
Decide the next steps of the challenge

Tips
When introducing the SCAMPER tool to the group for the first time use
familiar, everyday objects to stimulate curiosity
Not necessary to use the letters in the same order
Not necessary to use all of the letters and words
Gauge your clients responses and move onto a new letter and question if
the fluency slows down
Allow the freedom to piggy back ideas
Try the SCAMPER tool yourself
Think about alternative probing questions

Variations

Change negatives into positives

Analyze and resolve conflict
Use an alternative acronym
C- Connect
R- Replace
E- Exchange
A- Adjust
T- Twist
I- Invert
V- Visualize
E- Extend

Applications
Geography Help students understand the process of adaptation
Explore possible variations of initial research questions for a Science Fair
Project
Explore alternative methods for mathematical problem solving
Develop alternative ways to communicate ideas more persuasively
(persuasive writing)
 Planning to improve a classroom environment
Preparing students to function in a new culture
Consider possible variations for a fairy tale character, setting, theme

Resources

http://www.brainstorming.co.uk/tutorials/scampertutorial.html

http://people.bethel.edu/~shenkel/PhysicalActivities/CreativeMovement/CreativeTh
inking/Scamper.html

https://thepitch.fm/scamper-use-bob-eberles-creative-thinking-technique

https://georgevrakas.com/2013/08/11/innovation-scamper-a-practical-guide-part-1/

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_02.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4jMend3u1U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVOQFWrIyKA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2asOjJjupTQ