Structure

Manipulation and Structured Ideation

SCAMPER

Topic: Class Preparation

Problem Statement: Students need a way to note or highlight information to prepare for exams or other class elements

Product: Ballpoint pen

Using SCAMPER as a framework I was able to generate the following list of ideas for ballpoint pen improvements:

Note: Thinking of ideas for Combine and Put to Other Use came easier than it did for Eliminate.  The pen is already a fairly simple and lean product.  This made it easy to combine alternative uses, but difficult to eliminate features because the pen is limited.

After completing my list I went through to eliminate ideas that already exist.  Next, I selected my favorite novel idea from each category.

Substitute: This pen will only yield ink while being held. Unlike its regular ballpoint pen counterpart, this pen will never cause damage during transit. Biometrics dictate whether or not the pen is wet or dry.

Combine: This pen has fully customizable and interchangeable clips. Much like a phone case, you can select a pen clip to match your style. The idea here is that consumers will also be able to design and create their own clips with special patters, team logos, or shapes.

Adapt: This pen has a Tide to Go stick on the end for quick and convenient clean up. Coffee spill on your pants at work? No problem! Ink stain on your shirt? No problem! This cleanup device is portable and useful.

Magnify/Modify: Precision is now at your fingertips. You can now strap a ballpoint pen to your fingertip for comfortable writing. The amount of ink in this pen does not last long, but much like mechanical pencil lead you can purchase extra pen heads. Be careful if you get a nose itch!

 Put to Other Use: This pen can now defend you from danger. It has a warning whistle and pepper spray inside. While walking to class you always have pens with you. Now you can feel safe that you'll always have pepper spray with you.

Eliminate: This pen doesn't need a clip or a grip. It snaps right around your wrist where you can be confident that you'll always have a pen with you. It comes in different colors to match your style. You can even wear more than one!

Reverse/Rearrange: If you have scrap notes or flashcards you can fold them and shred them through your pen. Then you can find the nearest recycling bin to recycle your unneeded notes.

TILMAG

To start I listed the functional requirements for a ballpoint pen. Of that list I selected the 4 highlighted below: 

1. Portable

2. Easy to hold and use with one hand

3. Holds fluid

4. Facilitates Documentation

Next, I set up my table with 1, 2, and 3 across the top and 4, 3, and 2 down the left side.

Many interesting products emerged within the table. I was able to use the materials above with the ballpoint pen to generate these three ideas:

1. This pen allows you to refill your ink when it is low using a miniature fuel tank that is filled with ink. The nozzle reaches directly into the ink cartridge to ensure no spilling.

 2.  A special phone case will allow you to carry a magnetic pen or stylus with you at all times. The case will protect the phone from magnetic damage.

3. This pen uses a ring binder clip on the end instead of a traditional clip. This will increase the likelihood that the pen will remain on whatever you attach it to. Pens with traditional clips often slide off or out of place.  The ring binder will keep the pen securely in place.

Blue Sky Review

I used a basic Novel, Valuable, and Feasible table to review my brainstorming group's blue sky ideas. Only two ideas (Ultimate Alarm and Prioritizing Application) received a check for each NVF category.  These two ideas, however, have some significant flaws.  The Ultimate Alarm would not be valuable in an environment where the user has neighbors.  The alarm would be going off for much longer than need be while the user walks to class.  This could potentially tarnish the user/neighbor relationship.  The prioritizing application would require a significant amount of input and interaction from professors to make it a useful tool for students.  There is no incentive for the professor to provide the critical inputs (dates, grades, etc.) that drive the application's value.

I noticed a central theme from reviewing the Blue Sky ideas.  Students want to leverage technology to make class preparation easier.  From this, I can assume that students will also want to leverage product enhancements that make class preparation easier.  This will be important to consider while selecting my Top 10 ideas.

I also made some modifications to the Blue Sky ideas to make them more practical.  Here they are:

The Ultimate Alarm should be tied to practicing class material.  Students should have to complete a few flashcards or quiz questions before their alarm will shut off.  This will better prepare students by waking them up at the right time while helping them practice class material.

The Detachable Poster board can be made more valuable if it is used by groups.  This can be an effective divide and conquer tool.  For an exam that has four chapters, four students could group up to take one chapter each to investigate.  Each student would be responsible to create an effective summary and potential test questions for their respective chapter.  This information would then be pooled together and leveraged by the group for seamless preparation.

10 Best NVF Ideas

The following ideas are all novel (based on no similar products appearing after searching in Google and on Pinterest)

The following ideas are all feasible and tangible.  Many of the ideas generated from my Blue Sky Brainstorming event were mobile application based.  I added tangible to my feasibility assessment because I want to a physical product that I can create a physical prototype of.  The technology exists today to produce all of the following ideas as physical products:

1. Insomnia Pen

Value Proposition: To ensure that the student completes their assignment before accidentally dozing off.  The pen acts as a safety net to sleepy late-night studiers.  If you stop writing for 15 minutes while insomnia mode is on, an alarm will sound to wake you up.

 2. Three-Ring Binder Storage Unit
Value Proposition: Maximize the space of a three-ring binder. Students will be able to carry essential writing utensils in the vacant space between the rings.  Students can be confident that they have the tools they need to succeed at note taking and class preparation.

3. Pen Stapler

Value Proposition: Students can staple on the go with their pen stapler.  With this device in play, turning in unstapled papers will be a thing of the past.  This gives students two essential classroom tools in one device.

4. Detachable Poster board

Value Proposition: Students will be able to work alone or in groups to find synergy between class material.  When used, this product will allow students to seamlessly make insightful connections and practice class material.

5. Custom Clip Pen

Value Proposition: This product allows students to customize their pens without having to buy new pens.  Students can express themselves and be comfortable and confident while taking exams or notes in class.  What will your pen clip say about you?

6. Cleanup Pen

Value Proposition: This pen will allow students to have two tools in one device.  Students are often rushed and susceptible to acquiring stains on clothing.  This pen can give students a fresh and clean look without having to carry around extra tools.

7. Fingertip Headband Pen

Value Proposition: Comfortable and precise writing at your fingertips.  Because nearly all features are eliminated, this is the most cost effective way to write in pen.  Students can be ready to note anything at any time without having to reach in their bag or pockets.

8. Protective Defense Pen

Value Proposition: This pen gives student protection from armed robbery and assault.  A pen is an item that is used every day by students.  This three-in-one tool serves students by combing a pen with defense mechanisms that students should have with them on a daily basis.  Now these defense mechanisms are accessible through a medium that is also practical to academic life.

9. Ring Binder Pen Clip

Value Proposition:  This pen offers superior clipping security.  The pen will not fall off of its target and can be attached to everyday student items such as a backpack, notebook, or three-ring binder.

10. Wristband Pen

Value Proposition: Students have a tendency to lose or forget pens.  This pen offers students a stylish way to ensure that their pen is along side them.  It works just like a snap on wristband, but it is also a writing utensil.  It comes in different styles and colors to match the personality of the user.  Students will always be prepared for class because they will not be losing or forgetting their pens if they use the Wristband Pen.