A list of seven verbs to squeeze an idea that already exists. Instead of starting from scratch, SCAMPER forces you to transform it from seven angles until something new appears.
SCAMPER is an acronym: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify (or magnify), Put to other uses, Eliminate and Rearrange (Reverse). You take a product or concept and apply each verb as a question: 'what happens if I eliminate this?', 'what if I combine it with that?'.
It works really well when the blank page paralyzes you: instead of inventing out of nowhere, you start from something that already exists and twist it. I use it to iterate quickly on features and brand concepts.