Stuck on a creative problem?
What if you could look at any challenge from seven different angles and find fresh, innovative solutions? That’s exactly what the SCAMPER technique allows you to do.
In the latest episode of the Now Go Create podcast, I’m breaking down one of my all-time favourite creativity tools –SCAMPER. This structured yet flexible framework is designed to help you think differently and solve problems more creatively.
Whether you’re working on a marketing campaign, developing a new product, or brainstorming personal projects, SCAMPER is like a creative Swiss army knife –it’s simple, versatile, and powerful. Ready to learn how to use it? Let’s dive in.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Now Go Create Podcast
What is the SCAMPER Technique?
SCAMPER is an acronym that stands for:
- Substitute – Change one component for another.
- Combine – Mash up different ideas.
- Adapt – Adjust ideas to fit new contexts.
- Modify/Magnify/Minify – Change the scale or nature of the idea.
- Put to Another Use – Reimagine how something could be used.
- Eliminate – Strip away elements to simplify.
- Reverse – Flip the idea on its head for a fresh perspective.
This framework encourages you to challenge assumptions and explore possibilities you might not have considered. Think of SCAMPER as a creative thinking strategy that systematically guides you through brainstorming.
💡 Pro Tip: You don’t need to use all seven steps perfectly. The goal is to spark your creative juices and find innovative solutions.
Why SCAMPER is such a versatile creativity tool
The beauty of the SCAMPER technique lies in its simplicity and adaptability. It’s not just for product designers or marketing teams—it’s for anyone looking to be more creative at work or in their personal life.
During this episode, I shared real-world examples of how I’ve successfully used SCAMPER with various teams, including:
- Food product innovation – Working with world-famous retailers to develop new food concepts.
- Engineering breakthroughs – Collaborating with engineers to design cutting-edge kitchen products.
- Creative campaigns – Generating fresh marketing ideas, including a completely new pizza pricing strategy!
One of my favorite exercises is using SCAMPER to innovate a classic product: Pizza. Here’s how it works:
- Substitute – Swap traditional toppings for breakfast favourites.
- Combine – Mix pizza with other popular foods, like tacos.
- Adapt – Adjust the crust for gluten-free or keto diets.
- Modify – Change the size for sharing or single servings.
- Put to Another Use – Turn pizza dough into a dessert base.
- Eliminate – Remove traditional sauce for a lighter version.
- Reverse – Flip the concept by putting the toppings inside the crust.
This simple challenge shows just how versatile and powerful the SCAMPER framework can be.
How to apply SCAMPER to any creative challenge
Want to get started with SCAMPER? Here’s your step-by-step guide:
- Identify the problem or challenge – Clearly define what you want to innovate or solve.
- Work through each SCAMPER rompt – Apply each of the seven steps to your challenge.
- Record every idea – No judgment—write down everything that comes to mind.
- Refine and implement – Review your list, select the most promising ideas, and start experimenting.
To make this even easier, I’ve created a free, step-by-step SCAMPER worksheet that you can download below. This worksheet is designed to guide you through each SCAMPER prompt and help you practice creative problem-solving.
🚀 Download the free SCAMPER worksheet with no less than 46 creative prompts here.
Join the Conversation
I’m passionate about demystifying creativity and helping you turn ideas into reality. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, share it with friends, and connect with us on social media @NowGoCreate on Instagram or find me on LinkedIn.