Creative Problem Solving with Scamper

byAparna Kaul

MyGuest House Accommodations Pvt LtdNoida ,UP (India)

Cell-+91 9818414560

Target Audience –Managerial Level

Role wise Index –Key Account Managers - Process Managers

- Customer services

Methodology – Instructor Led Activity Based

Learning ObjectivesAnalyzing a problem to clarify your

thinking Exploring creative solutions Overcoming problem solving “blocks” Thinking beyond the obvious

Problem SolvingProblem Solving is …..“….. the art of finding ways

to get from where you are now to where you want to be (assuming you do not already know how).

The ‘problem’, therefore, is the gap between the present situation and a more desirable one.”

Solving

problem

??

Classifying ProblemsComplex Vs. Simple

describes the structure of the problemhow far reaching it is and its implications

Well Defined Vs. ill-Definedview the problem from many angles to ensure

that we are actually solving the ‘right’ problem

Approach to Problem Solving

Creativebrainstorming ,Knowledge and Experience

Rational (Logical)Analytical, StatisticalMethodological

Creative techniques Scamper and Six thinking Hats

Rational thinking techniques Root Cause Analysis (RCA) ,Fish Bone Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA)

Creative Technique S.C.A.M.P.E.R

Idea Generation Tool for Teams and individuals

Everything new is a modification of something

that already exists ..e.g phone to a Smart phone

Creative angles to a solution.

SCAMPER TOOL Substitute a part of problem Combine two or more issuesAdapt

Magnify or Mini

Put to out uses

Eliminate

Reverse or Rearrange

Case Study

McDonalds - Family dining car of Mr & Mrs Mac Donald gets scampered, report 20% profits from Real estate business . Now constantly reinvents business using SCAMPER

Substitute –Low calorie food, fruit juices instead of colasCombine – Fries with burgers, Combo Meals for larger turnoverAdapt - Fast foods across world, drive thrusModify/Magnify – Big Macs are magnified burgersPut to other use - Real Estate Eliminate -Self Service ,Waiters not there eliminating service

costReverse – Pay First

Idea SpurrinnGG Activity

Rules of the Game

Playful attitudeThinking beyond the obvious

Suspend your Judgment

SubstituteThink about replacing part of the problem, product or process

Helper QuestionsCan I replace or change any parts? Can I replace

someone involved?Can the rules be changed? Can I substitute one part for another?

TriggersAlternate, exchange, fill in for repackage, replace,

reposition, reserve, swap, switch, take the place of

CombineThink about combining two or more parts of

your problem to create a different product or process

Helper QuestionsWhat ideas or parts can be combined?Can I combine or merge it with other objects?

TriggersBlend, bring together, conjoin, fuse, link, merge,

mingle, mix, package, relate, unite

ADAPT Think about adapting an existing idea to solve your

problem.

Helper QuestionsWhat else is like it?Whom could I emulate?What ideas could I incorporate?

Triggersadjust, alter, amend, bend, change, conform,

contextualize, copy, revise, rework, transform, vary

MagnifyThink Big and enlarge your idea

Helper QuestionsWhat can be magnified or made larger?Can I make multiple copies?Can I add extra features or somehow add extra

value? Triggers

boost, enlarge, expand, extend, grow, heighten, increase, intensify, lengthen,

Put to other UseThink of how you might be able to put your

current idea to other uses

Helper QuestionsWhat else can it be used for ?Can it have optional use ? Can it be used by some different types of users

Triggersapply, contextualize, manipulate, reposition,

Eliminate Think of what might happen if you eliminated or minimized

parts of your idea. narrow your challenge down to that part or function that is most important.

Helper QuestionsWhat parts can be removed without altering its function?Can the rules be eliminated?What if I made it smaller? What feature can I understate or omit?Should I split it into different parts?

Triggersabolish, control, destroy, disregard, reduce, remove, shorten,

simplify, temper, throw out, tone down, underemphasize

ReverseThink of what you would do if part of your problem, product

or process worked in reverse or were done in a different order.

Helper QuestionsWhat other arrangement might be better?Can I interchange components?Are there other patterns, layouts or sequences I can use? Can I change pace or change the schedule of delivery?What if I consider it backwards?

Triggerschange, invert, move backward, move, overturn, postpone, put

off, rearrange, reshuffle, transpose, turn around

Try it! All you risk is success.

Great Examples!!S : Substitute your ideas (i.e. chalk board for maker

board)

C:  Combine your ideas (e.g spoon + fork = spork)

A:  Adapt your ideas ( e.g road bike into a mountain bike)

M : Modify ( SUV with retractable roof ,Minify (desktop into a laptop)

P :  Put to other uses (e.g futon folds from bed to couch)

E:  Eliminate (e.g cordless telephone)

R : Reverse/Rearrange (e.g a motor run backwards is a generator)

Activity -Key Account ManagementS (Substitute): "What can I substitute in my KAM Process?"C (Combine): "How can I combine KAM with other

activities?"A (Adapt): "What can I adapt or copy from someone else’s

process?"M (Magnify): "What can I magnify or put more emphasis on

when talking to client s?"P (Put to Other Uses): "How can I put my KAM to other

uses?"E (Eliminate): "What can I eliminate or simplify in my KAM

process?"R (Rearrange): "How can I change, reorder or reverse the

way I manage the account ?"