Trigger Questions

Purpose

Trigger Questions (also called SCAMPER or Creative Provocations) use a structured set of prompts to force the group to look at a problem from unfamiliar angles. Each question triggers a different thinking mode — substitute, combine, adapt, modify, put to other use, eliminate, reverse. The technique reliably produces ideas that free brainstorming misses.

At a glance

How to run

1. State the challenge (2 min): Write the product, service, or problem being examined.
2. Introduce the question set (2 min): Distribute or display trigger questions (e.g., SCAMPER: What can we Substitute? Combine? Adapt? Modify? Put to another use? Eliminate? Reverse?).
3. Rapid ideation (12 min): Go through questions one at a time. For each, give 90 seconds to generate ideas. Write on sticky notes.
4. Review and select (4 min): Scan all ideas. Star the most promising or surprising ones.

Materials needed

• Trigger question cards or printed list
• Sticky notes and markers
• Timer
• Whiteboard or flip chart

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Overthinking each question: Speed is the point. Do not debate during ideation.
• Using the same question set every time: Rotate question sets to maintain freshness.
• Skipping uncomfortable questions: The most provocative questions often yield the best ideas.
• No follow-through: Select the best ideas and develop them further.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Provide questions in writing so everyone can process them.
• Allow silent writing — no pressure to speak immediately.
• Use simple language in the trigger questions.

Variations

• SCAMPER: The classic seven-question set.
• Oblique Strategies: Brian Eno's card deck of creative provocations.
• Random Input: Use random words or images as triggers instead of structured questions.
• What If?: Open-ended provocations ("What if it were free? What if it took 10x longer? What if only children could use it?").

When NOT to use this

• When the team needs convergence and selection, not more ideas.
• When the challenge is too vague for targeted questions to land.
• When participants are fatigued from too much divergent thinking.

Source & further reading

• Bob Eberle, *SCAMPER: Creative Games and Activities* (1996)
• Edward de Bono, lateral thinking provocations
• Brian Eno & Peter Schmidt, *Oblique Strategies* (1975)