Session Brief: SCAMPER

Goal

Artifact: SCAMPER Idea List

Working Question

Which of the seven variations of the existing object creates an idea that reaches the goal better than the original?

Context

Clearly bounded object (product, feature, service step, process); goal of variation (cost reduction, new target group, faster cycle time); known non-negotiable constraints.

Setup

• Format: Method session
• Duration: 30-60 min
• Mode: Workshop
• Participants: One facilitator who provides the questions and holds timeboxes; two to ten contributors with context on the object; one scribe for consolidating top ideas at the end.
• Owner: One facilitator who provides the questions and holds timeboxes
• Participation mode: Team round, shared work and alignment
• Outcome logic: Finish artifact

Participation Logic

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome Logic

The session works directly toward SCAMPER Idea List. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

Whiteboard or Miro board with seven columns (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse); stickies; pens; timer; photo, screenshot or description of the object to vary in a central place.

Preparation

Place the object centrally. Prepare seven columns, each with its guiding question above it. Split timer across column slots. Rule: one idea per sticky, no evaluation during collection.

Agenda

1. 0-5 min (5 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Sharpen the object: what exactly will be varied (which feature, which process step). Formulate the variation goal in one sentence. Hint: If the object is too large ("our product"), decompose it and choose one part. SCAMPER on whole products mostly produces marketing slogans. Output: SCAMPER Idea List

2. 5-40 min (35 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Spend 5 min per column: Substitute (what to replace), Combine (what to combine), Adapt (what to transfer), Modify (what to amplify or reduce), Put to another use (which other use), Eliminate (what to remove), Reverse (what to invert). Hint: If a column stays empty, the question is too narrow. Put an example on the wall. Eliminate and Reverse often create the most radical ideas, so do not shorten them. Output: Concept Shortlist

3. 40-50 min (10 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Mark top ideas across all columns (dot-voting, 3 dots per person). Explicitly look for combinations across columns. Hint: A SCAMPER session often produces the best idea as a combination of Combine + Eliminate or Adapt + Reverse. Do not skip combinations. Output: Variation Notes

4. 50-60 min (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Formulate three to five concepts from the top ideas. For each concept, name owner, next validation step and rough effort as T-shirt size. Hint: Without a next validation step, ideas disappear into the backlog. At least concept number 1 needs a date for an assumption test within the next 14 days. Output: SCAMPER Idea List

5. Publish artifact (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients. Output: SCAMPER Idea List

Closeout

• Update result artifact: SCAMPER Idea List
• Define location, version, and review recipients.
• Define owner, next step, and review date.

SCAMPER Idea List: SCAMPER

Working Question

Which of the seven variations of the existing object creates an idea that reaches the goal better than the original?

Context

Clearly bounded object (product, feature, service step, process); goal of variation (cost reduction, new target group, faster cycle time); known non-negotiable constraints.

Participants

• Owner: One facilitator who provides the questions and holds timeboxes
• Participants: One facilitator who provides the questions and holds timeboxes; two to ten contributors with context on the object; one scribe for consolidating top ideas at the end.

Input

Whiteboard or Miro board with seven columns (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse); stickies; pens; timer; photo, screenshot or description of the object to vary in a central place.

Template

SCAMPER Working Template

Goal

Generate variations by moving through the SCAMPER prompts.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Working area

• Substitute:
• Combine:
• Adapt:
• Modify:
• Put to another use:
• Eliminate:
• Reverse:

Output artifacts

• Idea list:
• Concept shortlist:
• Variation notes:

Open questions

• ...

Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

Completion Check

• SCAMPER Idea List is complete enough for review:
• Location:
• Version / status:
• Review by:
• Next step:

Next Step

• Review result
• Mark open questions
• Schedule review or decision