The SCAMPER methodology is a very powerful, systematic approach to thinking through ideas. Using either an analogous solution or an idea you have developed so far as your starting point, work through the following seven questions:

• Substitute: What can be replaced? (eg, components, materials, people)
• Combine: What can be combined? (eg, other features, devices)
• Adapt: What can be added? (eg, new elements or functions)
• Modify: What can be modified? (eg, change the size, shape colour or other attribute)
• Put to other use: Could you put the product to a different use, or use it in another industry?
• Eliminate: What can be removed or simplified?
• Reverse: What would happen if you reversed the product’s production process? What can be swapped or flipped?

This exercise can be used at the start of the ideation process, but it is also a useful method to use at this stage to really push thinking on the best ideas.