Creative Thinking and Problem Solving with SCAMPER Technique

This paper discusses the SCAMPER technique for creative thinking and problem solving. It provides innovative ideas related to lunch box using SCAMPER and recommends the best idea. The paper concludes with a brief summary.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Through this combination it is possible to invent such lunch box which not only keep the
food fresh but also saves the electricity.
 We can also combine lunch box and food processor for the purpose of making fresh food
with necessary ingredients. This technique helps the users to make their fresh food
whenever they want by using the necessary and required ingredients. This increases the
freshness of the food and makes things easy for the user.
Adapt:
This technique mainly focuses on adjusting the product or service for better product. This helps
in making the adjustments which deals with the minor changes to the radical changes in the
complete project. It must be noted that adaptation is considered as one of the most difficult
techniques which solve the issue by enhancing the existing system. Following question are
discussed in this technique6:
 What changes must be made for the purpose of ensuring better results?
 What other changes can be done in particular task?
 Process to be followed for improving the existing process?
 How necessary adjustments can be made in the existing product?
 How to make the process more flexible?
Lunch box is used for keeping and carrying the food in better manner, and
also for keeping the food healthy for long time of period. Following are some
creative ideas which can be used for ensuring better result in the process:7
6 Rafiq Elmancy, A Guide to the SCAMPER Technique for Creative Thinking, < http://www.designorate.com/a-guide-
to-the-scamper-technique-for-creative-thinking/>, accessed on 12th February 2018.
7 Idea connection, SCAMPER, < https://www.ideaconnection.com/thinking-methods/scamper-00022.html>,
accessed on 12th February 2018.

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 Manufacturers of lunch box must use other materials such as copper, metal, and wood for
the purpose of reducing the manufacturing cost because use of plastic and polystyrene
increased the cost of manufacturing and it also affects the health of the people by
contaminating the food. On the other hand, copper and metal makes the food healthier
and also prevent contamination.
 Manufacturers of lunch box can also make innovations in the shape of the lunch box such
as they can attach the small containers with each other and these containers are designed
as per the food requirement. This can be understood with the help of the example, square
for sandwiches, bowl shape for sliced fruits, glass shape for liquid, etc.
Modify:
This technique mainly focuses on changing the process in such way as it result in more
innovative capabilities and help in resolving issues. It involves following questions:
 How will modifying the process for the purpose of improving results?
 What if we had double base of consumer?
 In case market is different, what process should we adopt?
Presently, lunch box can only use for carrying the food from one place to another, but by making
relevant changes in this process it can be used for other purposes also. Following are some
creative ideas:
 By making necessary changes, we can increase the size of the container and those
containers can be used for storing different things in the kitchen or at any other place.

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 We can also use the material which help in controlling the temperature of the food and
preserve the food in better state8.
Put to another use:
This technique focuses on the different use of the current product, or how this product can be
used for solving the existing issue. It involves following questions:
 Advantages of the product if used at any other place?
 Whether it is possible to target any other segment of the market?
We can use the lunch box as mini refrigerator by combining two techniques, as this help the user
to store thee food for long period of time. We can also set alarms on the lunch box which remind
the user to take meal on time.
Eliminate:
This technique identifies the part of the process which can be eliminated for the purpose of
improving the product.
In the present scenario we can eliminate the excess weight of lunch box and use lighter material
for manufacturing the same. For this purpose, manufacturer can eliminate the material like steel
and polystyrene because both the material increases the weight of the lunch box. Manufacturers
can use polystyrene for lunch boxes because this material is very light weight.
Reverse:
This technique considers the innovative potential while changing the order of the process in the
production line. This technique answers the following questions:
8 Alexis, The Many Uses of a Lunch Box, < https://www.lunchbox.com/blogs/lunchbox-news/74650565-the-many-
uses-of-a-lunch-box>, accessed on 12th February 2018.

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 What would happen if we reverse the process?
 In which manner current status can be rearranged for better results?
Lunch box are currently used for packing the food, but following changes can be made in
process:
 Manufacturer can attach mini food making machines with the lunch box, as these
machines help the user in making fresh food for the user. In this user can carry raw food
in the machine which prepares instantly fresh food for users such as salad, sandwich, etc.
 Manufacturers can also provide facility of baking in the lunch boxes.
Recommendations:
Above stated section of this paper state various new and innovative ideas related to lunch box on
the basis of SCAMPER technique. Every letter of this technique results in different innovation of
the products. After considering the above stated ideas, it can be said that best ides is providing
lunch box with time and temperature control technique.
The main reason of illness caused because of food is time and temperature abuse of food. There
are number of foods which required temperature control for being healthy. These foods are time
and temperature abused if they kept in temperature danger zone that is 41°F to 140°F. Such
situations occurred when food is not cooked to the temperature which is recommended, not held
at proper temperature, not cooled or reheat in proper manner. If food is kept in temperature
danger zone for longer period of time, there is more risk of bacteria. The main issue is how to

Creative thinking 9
keep the food in proper temperature because if TCS food is kept in temperature danger zone for
4 hours or more than such food is waste9.
There are number of foods which contain food poisoning bacteria and are capable of supporting
the growth of these bacteria. Such food is unsafe for consumers and can result in illness to the
consumers. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the food in proper temperature.
There are number of people who face this issue in their daily life because there is no such facility
in the lunch box which prevent the food from temperature danger zone. Invention of lunch box
by combining two different techniques can result in lunch box which also provides the facility of
temperature control of food and prevent the food from being kept in temperature danger zone10.
Lunch box with temperature control provides the containers in which both type of temperature
can be set that is hot and cool. Such containers provide the facility to adjust the temperature as
per the food requirement.
Presently, lunch box only provides the option to heat the food but this is not enough because
some food requires low temperature and in such case food gets wasted or develops bacteria.
Therefore, there is need to develop lunch box which help the consumers in controlling the
temperature of their food. Therefore, lunch box with temperature control technique is the best
idea.
9 UME, Keep food safe with time and temperature control, <
https://www.extension.umn.edu/food/food-safety/food-service-industry/prep-storage/keep-food-safe-with-time-
and-temperature-control/>, accessed on 12th February 2018.
10 Food Standards, Food safety standards - temperature control requirements, <
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/safety/faqsafety/pages/foodsafetyfactsheets/
foodsafetystandardst857.aspx>, accessed on 12th February 2018.

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Conclusion:
There are number of techniques which are used for creative thinking such as reversed
brainstorming, 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 things. SCAMPER is used for the purpose of solving the targeted questions
which mainly help in resolving the issues or encourage creativity during the brainstorming
meetings.
References:
Alexis, The Many Uses of a Lunch Box, <
https://www.lunchbox.com/blogs/lunchbox-news/74650565-the-many-uses-of-a-lunch-box>,
accessed on 12th February 2018.

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Food Standards, Food safety standards - temperature control requirements, <
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/safety/faqsafety/pages/foodsafetyfactsheets/
foodsafetystandardst857.aspx>, accessed on 12th February 2018.
Idea connection, SCAMPER, < https://www.ideaconnection.com/thinking-methods/scamper-
00022.html>, accessed on 12th February 2018.
Innovation Portal, SCAMPER, <
http://www.innovation-portal.info/wp-content/uploads/SCAMPER.pdf>, accessed on 12tth
February 2018.
Litemind, Creative Problem Solving with SCAMPER, < https://litemind.com/scamper/>,
accessed on 12tth February 2018.
Mind Tools, SCAMPER, < https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_02.htm>, accessed
on 12th February 2018.
Rafiq Elmancy, A Guide to the SCAMPER Technique for Creative Thinking, <
http://www.designorate.com/a-guide-to-the-scamper-technique-for-creative-thinking/>, accessed
on 12th February 2018.
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.
The Balance, Creative Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples, <
https://www.thebalance.com/creative-thinking-definition-with-examples-2063744>, accessed on
12tth February 2018.
UME, Keep food safe with time and temperature control, <
https://www.extension.umn.edu/food/food-safety/food-service-industry/prep-storage/keep-food-
safe-with-time-and-temperature-control/>, accessed on 12th February 2018.