SCAMPER Creative Exploration
Apply all seven SCAMPER prompts to systematically explore creative possibilities for a product, service, process, or problem.
Instructions
Work through each of the seven prompts, generating multiple ideas for each. Quantity matters—don't self-edit too early. Wild ideas often lead to practical innovations.
Output Format
Subject: [What we're SCAMPERing] Goal: [What we're trying to achieve]
S: SUBSTITUTE
What can be replaced with something else?
| Component | Substitute With | New Possibility |
|---|---|---|
| [element] | [replacement] | [what it enables] |
C: COMBINE
What can be merged, blended, or bundled together?
| Combine This | With This | Result |
|---|---|---|
| [element A] | [element B] | [new thing] |
A: ADAPT
What can be copied, borrowed, or modified from elsewhere?
| Source | Idea to Adapt | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| [where it's from] | [the concept] | [application here] |
M: MODIFY / MAGNIFY / MINIMIZE
What can be changed, enlarged, or reduced?
| Element | Change | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| [element] | [modification] | [result] |
P: PUT TO OTHER USES
What else could this be used for?
| Current Use | New Use | New Market/Context |
|---|---|---|
| [how it's used now] | [different use] | [who would want it] |
E: ELIMINATE
What can be removed, omitted, or simplified?
| Element to Remove | Why We Think We Need It | What If Gone? |
|---|---|---|
| [element] | [assumed reason] | [possibility] |
R: REVERSE / REARRANGE
What can be flipped, reordered, or turned inside out?
| Current State | Reversed/Rearranged | Possibility |
|---|---|---|
| [how it is now] | [flipped version] | [what opens up] |
Idea Harvest
Top Ideas Generated
| Idea | From (S/C/A/M/P/E/R) | Feasibility | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| [best idea] | [letter] | High/Med/Low | High/Med/Low |
Wild Card The craziest idea that might actually work:
[Idea]
Guidelines
- Quantity over quality during generation
- No idea is too wild—judge later
- Each prompt can generate multiple ideas
- Combining ideas from different letters often yields best results
$ARGUMENTS