Creative Thinking and Problem Solving with SCAMPER Technique

Running Head: Creative thinking 1
Creative Thinking

Creative thinking 2
Introduction:
Creative thinking and problem solving is considered as important part of the design process,
which help in turning the ideas into innovation and also remove the barriers occurred in the way
of creativity1. Various techniques are used for creative thinking such as reversed brainstorming,
Hurson’s thinking model, the six hats of critical thinking, etc. but the most successful technique
is SCAMPER. This technique is the easiest and direct method, and it is based on the idea that
every new thing is actually a modification of the existing old things2.
This paper states the innovative ideas related to lunch box by using the SCAMPER technique,
and different ideas are created for each letter. This paper is divided into two sections; first
section defines the innovative idea related to lunch box by using Scamper and second task states
the recommendation related to the best idea. Lastly, paper is concluded with brief conclusion.
About Scamper:
SCAMPER was originated by the Bob Eberle for the purpose of solving the targeted questions
which mainly help in resolving the issues or encourage creativity during the brainstorming
meetings. SCAMPER is referred as seven techniques which stand for (S) substitute, (C)
combine, (A) adapt, (M) modify, (P) put to another use, (E) eliminate and (R) reverse. These
words define the important questions, and these questions are stated below3:
1 The Balance, Creative Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples, < https://www.thebalance.com/creative-thinking-
definition-with-examples-2063744>, accessed on 12tth February 2018.
2 Litemind, Creative Problem Solving with SCAMPER, < https://litemind.com/scamper/>, accessed on 12tth
February 2018.
3 Innovation Portal, SCAMPER, < http://www.innovation-portal.info/wp-content/uploads/SCAMPER.pdf>, accessed
on 12tth February 2018.

Creative thinking 3
Substitute:
This technique mainly focus on the parts of the product, service or solution that be replaced with
another. In other words, attendants of meeting mainly focus on the decisions which replaced part
of the process with another process. Following are some questions which are asked:
 What material or resources can be substitute or replaced for the purpose of improving the
product?
 What other type of product or process can be used?
 What rules can be replaced?
 Whether it is possible to use this product for some other purpose or as a substitute for
something else?
 What will happen in case feelings or attitude towards the product is changed?4
Lunch box is considered as small container which is used for packing and carrying the food. In
historical times, metal is used for manufacturing the lunch box but with changing time it is
substituted with plastic and steel. There are various new materials and resources which can be
used for manufacturing the lunch box. Some ideas related to this method are stated below:
 Plastic and steel can be substituted with the soft insulated polyester versions because it is
easy to fit such type of lunch box in the bags. Polyester provides new designs and formats
of the lunch box and it also used for manufacturing the lunch bags which carry different
containers of food and other items.
 One more substitute for lunch box material is wood and it is possible to create innovative
and better designs from wood. It is very simple to shape the wood in different manners
4 Rikky Dam & Teo Siang, Learn How to Use the Best Ideation Methods: SCAMPER, < https://www.interaction-
design.org/literature/article/learn-how-to-use-the-best-ideation-methods-scamper>, accessed on 12th February
2018.

Creative thinking 4
because of which manufacturers can make innovations in the designs of the lunch box
which makes lunch box more feasible and attractive.
Combine:
This technique focus on evaluation of merging the two ideas, stages of the process or product in
one single output which is more efficient. There are number of cases in which combination of
two innovative ideas can result in two innovative product or technology. Discussions related to
combine strategy include following questions:
 Whether it is possible to merge two steps of the process?
 Whether it is possible to apply two different processes at the similar time?
 Whether it is possible to combine different resources?
 Whether it is possible to mix two or more components?
 Whether it is possible to combine X and Y technology5?
Recently one new innovation take place in lunch box that is electric heated lunch box and these
lunchboxes goes beyond the design of the original lunch box. This innovation includes the
simple handle and advantage for children to carry their food with them for the complete day.
There are number of lunch box which are insulated, but electric lunch box provide more extra
benefits as it heat the food and store it. Following are some creative ideas which can be used in
this technique:
 It is possible to merge two techniques that are copper and other source of heat such as
coal for invented the lunch box which not only heat the food but also keep it fresh.
5 Mind Tools, SCAMPER, < https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_02.htm>, accessed on 12th February
2018.