Scamper Method: its phases and its use to solve problems in the company

A tool used in companies to provide solutions to specific problems

The Scamper method is a technique that consists of bringing out the creativity of groups of people in finding solutions to specific problems. The Scamper method is a technique that consists of bringing out the creativity of groups of people in finding solutions to specific problems. Scamper is an Anglo-Saxon acronym, formed by several words in order to be easily remembered, and whose initials show the phases of this process. It is an idea that began to be implemented in the mid-twentieth century and is now increasingly becoming a must in any type of organization.

It must be taken into account that creativity is a phenomenon that depends a lot on the context. Some people have it as an innate quality, a natural gift, but for a large part of society this element is very hidden or underdeveloped. Thus, the Scamper method is nothing more than a useful tool to order and enhance the flood of ideas that can help us to solve a problem, usually in the context of companies and professional tasks resolution. in the context of the companies and of the resolution of tasks professionally.

What is the Scamper method?

The Scamper method is a concept derived from an earlier one, the "barinstorming" or "brainstorming" strategy of the American author and publicist Alex Osborne by the American author and publicist Alex Osborn, a pioneer in the world of modern marketing. His technique was developed through observation, monitoring and noting people's daily habits, as well as the exchange of ideas among them. Without a group, this activity cannot be carried out.

Mr. Osborn's work was so successful that it earned him the recognition of multinational companies as important as General Electric, DuPont, American Tobacco or the famous sports tire company BF Goodrich. After reaping so many achievements, he decided to create his own International Center for the Study of Creativity, teaching classes on "Creative Problem Solving". In this way, it was Bob Eberle who in the middle of the 20th century created the Scamper method derived directly from Alex Osborn's idea, with the aim of perfecting the technique in the pragmatic sense.

Before developing the idea, we must be aware of the meaning of each letter that makes up the concept. Thus, Scamper stands for: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Propose other uses, Eliminate, Reorder.

What does the technique consist of?

Although it may seem like something dedicated to groups of intellectuals, commercial companies or complex organizations, the truth is that the Scamper method can be applied in any field or social field. Even in emergency or survival situations. It is particularly easy to develop. Below you will find the steps to follow.

1. Identify the problem to be solved

This is the step prior to the resolution of a conflict. It is highly important to know how to identify what is preventing growth or progress. Many companies fail because they ignore this point and simply increase expenses in the tasks normally performed.

2. Ask SCAMPER questions

Once the anomaly or the desire to create ideas has been detected, we apply the SCAMPER questions to answer them among the group. No assessment should be disregarded. At this stage, there is no such thing as discarding.

3. Organize the answers

In this case we will compile the answers we have obtained. All this without censoring or discrediting any of them, no matter how unproductive they may seem to us on a personal level even if we find them unproductive on a personal level.

4. Evaluate the ideas

Now, in this step we must determine which are the priority ones, which are valid for the resolution of the problem and which are less important. We will also focus on discarding, but these invalid ideas can be used for another future problem.

5. Select them

This last point is the most important. We must choose the ideas that best fit to solve the conflict. We must select the ideas that best fit to solve the conflict, by means of written justification, exposing the reasons why these ideas should be applied.

The effectiveness of the Scamper method

As we have seen in the previous points, the Scamper method is easy to apply, intuitive to a certain extent, and does not entail any additional expense beyond a certain opportunity cost in case of failure. It is clear that people's creativity plays a decisive role, but efforts must be made to implement it regardless of the nature of the people involved.

In a recent study conducted by ESADE, it was shown that in an overwhelming 80% of the cases in which it is applied, the productive results of the company are improved, the productive results of the company are improved. It is worth noting that the more we resort to the Scamper method, the more mechanical and simple it will be to apply.

We will start by taking a paper, a pen and a protocol to implement it, but over time we will do it intuitively and mentally. This does not imply that with each problem that comes up, a new challenge will arise, which will mean developing Scamper in a more complex way.