Why do I want to fit Principles into SCAMPER approaches?
In a recent post (check it here first) I explore how SCAMPER can embrace the 40 Principles of Inventive Problem Solving. The goal is to wrap the complexity of the Principles in the approachability of SCAMPER.
Substitute defined in Applied Imagination
Under the category of Substitute, Alex Osborn proposed the following questions in his book Applied Imagination:
- Who else instead?
- What else instead?
- Other ingredient?
- Other material?
- Other process?
- Other power?
- Other place?
- Other approach?
- Other tone of voice?
- Other time?
40 Principles within Substitute
The following Principles substitute a component, process, direction, method of interaction, method of construction or atmosphere.
- Principle 17 – Another Dimension: What if instead of just up or down, back and forth, we could go left and right?
- Principle 26 – Copying: Can we substitute a copy for the real thing?
- Principle 28 – Substituting of Mechanical Systems with Electromagnetic Systems: Can the system be modified so that instead of interacting with its environment physically it can use electromagnetism?
- Principle 30 – Flexible Shells and Thin Films: Can we replace an solid structure with a membrane?
- Principle 39 – Inert Atmosphere: Can we replace ambient air with inert atmosphere?
- Principle 40 – Composite Materials: Can we replace prior materials with composites?