The 17 Solutions System Using SCAMPER

Having a problem you are stuck on? An obstacle you can't seem to solve or overcome? A goal you can't seem to figure out how to make come true?

Try my 17 solutions system using the well known SCAMPER system I'll explain below. Here's how the process works:

1. Write your current problem, obstacle or goal in the form of a question on the top of a page. Ask the question in the form of the result you want, for example:

• "How do I get........?"
• "Where or when can I find...."
• "Who would have....."
• "What ..........could I use to get this resolved?"

2. Generate 17 different answers or solutions to this question. Why generate 17 solutions? The first few will come easy. The idea is, after a few easy ones, you have to stretch and think. This is where your breakthroughs may be hiding, keep coming up with new answers. This is where SCAMPER comes in handy.

3. Select the best solution to implement. Once you come up with this solution list and pick your best option, implement it right away! In turn, it may lead to your breakthrough. 

Use the SCAMPER system to come up with the most effective solutions and answers:

Scamper is an acronym of seven different ways to look at problems from all different angles and applications concepts. Said to have been designed by Alex Osbourne. Here is what each letter stands for:

• Substitute
• Combine
• Adapt
• Modify
• Put to other use
• Eliminate
• Reverse or Rearrange

How do you use SCAMPER to get a fresh look at any subject? Play with any one or any combination of any of these concepts:

Substitute - One usage for another. One idea or concept or application for another. Try a fresh, unusual, surprising or modern approach. Example: Chicken instead of veal. Plastic instead of wood.

Combine - two or several concepts that work in other arenas. Flikr combines the internet with photo albums.

Adapt - an application from one system to another. Quisnos and Subway sandwich shops adapted the assembly line oven concept perfected by McDonalds and Burger King.

Modify - larger, faster, easier, bigger, smaller, adjusted any one element or combination of elements. Today's auto engines produce the same horsepower with much smaller aluminum block engines.

Put to other use -  same use in different industry, technology, and city. Ask: "how else could I use this?" An example of this is Walkie talkies. They were first used by military, now available to consumers from many cell phone companies like Nextel.

Eliminate -     reduce time spent, steps needed, pieces, cost. Take away one part of a system and see if it results in a better product. For example, Flat screen TV use technology to eliminated the heavy weight and size of big bulky TV's.

Reverse or Rearrange -   reengineer, put in different order, any part of a process or product. For example , in baseball, managers will regularly switch around the batting order if someone is hot or in a slump.

Try this process for yourself to see if you can use it to bust through any challenge or obstacle you may have. Write me if it works for you.