PDF: SCAMPER, Orange County Public Schools
Web page: Problem Solving Techniques: Get Your Creative Thinking Juices Flowing By Using The SCAMPER Technique
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Evaluating
Evaluating means determining the value or worth of something. Whenever you evaluate something, you compare it to a standard or a set of attributes. The following creative strategies can help you evaluate any topic.
Trait Evaluation
A trait is simply a feature of something. You can do a trait analysis by first listing the traits of something in one column of a chart, evaluating each trait in a second column, and listing suggested improvements in a third column. The following chart evaluates a standard screwdriver.
Trait |
Evaluation |
Improvements |
|
It drives screws. |
It drives standard screws well, but it cannot handle Phillips-, hex-, or square-head screws. |
We could fit the end with a removable tip so different types of bits could be used. |
|
It is durable. |
This screwdriver holds up well for most household tasks. |
N.A. |
|
It reaches hard-to-reach screws. |
This screwdriver is long and thin, so it can reach into tight spots. |
We could provide some angled or extra long bits. |
|
It is easy to grip. |
The grip is nonslip, but it is narrow, which makes it difficult to provide torque. |
A wider grip would make the screwdriver easier to use, as long as it doesn’t make it significantly heavier. |
|
It is inexpensive. |
This screwdriver is cheap, which is one of its chief virtues. If we add other features, we have to avoid increasing the cost too much. |
N.A. |
|
It is attractive. |
The two-tone design is pleasant, though a bit dated. |
Providing different color options might help. |
Your Turn Select a topic you are studying and create a trait evaluation chart about it. List traits in the first column, evaluations in the second column, and improvements in the third.
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SCAMPER Evaluation
A researcher named Bob Eberle created a set of questions that you can use to evaluate and improve an idea. The first letter in each category spells out SCAMPER:
Substitute |
What alternatives can I discover? Who else could be involved with this issue? What other ideas, approaches, or materials would be useful? What new goals should we focus on? |
Combine |
How can this be combined with something else? How would this work if it were more like that? How can this be used in a new context? How can this idea connect to other people? |
Adapt |
What changes would improve this? How could this be modified to better fit the situation? What traits could be adjusted to improve this? How can this become more desirable? |
Magnify |
How can this be made bigger or more powerful? How can I improve performance or efficiency? How can I make this faster? How can I make this more impressive? |
Put to Other Uses |
What other uses does this have? Who else could use this? Where else could this be applied? What other problem could this solve? |
Eliminate |
What would simplify this? What would streamline it? How can I make this less costly? What would make this more subtle? |
Rearrange |
What other sequence could work for this? How could I turn this completely around? What other part of the issue might be more important? Could this happen at a different time or in a different place? |
Your Turn Choose a concept from one of your classes. Select one question from each of the SCAMPER categories and apply it to the concept. Be creative with your answers. If a question doesn’t seem to suit your topic exactly, revise it so it works.