The Inclusive Innovation Playbook

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Impact Checkpoints

Own your impact

“I can safely say that we in tech don’t understand the emotional aspect of our work, just as we don’t understand the moral imperative of what we do. It is not that all players are bad; it is just not part of the thinking process the way, say, ‘minimum viable product’ or ‘growth hacking’ are.”

From
Technology and the Moral Dimension⁠
by Om Malik

Just as 'minimum viable product' guides our development and 'growth hacking' fuels our expansion, the awareness of the emotional and moral implications of our creations tends to be an uncharted territory. Yet, it is a critical territory that demands exploration. In acknowledging this, there arises a call for a paradigm shift—a recognition that the impact of our products and services is not only significant but should be an integral part of our innovation process, at both the societal and individual level.

Organisations need to own their impact. They need to think bigger than product features and user numbers. We need to redefine success in the tech landscape through a lens that encompasses empathy and ethical responsibility. It’s about creating good outcomes for customers and wider society. To do this we need to connect individual responsibilities to influence broader systems so that they no longer continue to propagate harms.

What is necessary is the integration of a systematic and reflective process into the innovation lifecycle, with the goal of enhancing the customer and societal impact of products and services, as a standard practice.

Impact Checkpoints

Introducing Impact Checkpoints into your development lifecycle provides just this. It serves as a strategic milestone where you can systematically assess both historical and future implications and impact of your offerings. By incorporating this practice into your standard innovation procedures, you position yourselves as leaders committed to inclusive, human-centric, and responsible product development.

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Diagram showing the past and future, positive and negative impact at both the macro society level and micro user level.

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It seems so obvious that Impact Checkpoints should be standard business practice, but they are not yet widely adopted. Why wouldn’t an organisation want to ensure it was doing no harm, and course correct to make a greater positive impact? When we look back it will be like recycling. No one did it, and now everyone does it.

Just as every successful team has regular huddles to stay coordinated, embedding Impact Checkpoints into your practices should be a team habit, that drives your success.

Join our mission for inclusive change and encourage your organisation to implement Impact Checkpoints toady.

How can this playbook help you with your impact checkpoints?

Use the

Future Scanning⁠

Page to develop your ‘futures toolkit’ to be able to more effectively proactively anticipate potential future impact, and escape the cycle of firefighting.

Use the

Sociotech Impact⁠

page and the

‘Sociotech Impact Canvas’⁠

to better understand the interplay between technology and society.

Use the

‘User Impact Canvas’⁠

to explore the potential impact of your user experience, in order to avoid harm and increase satisfaction.

Implementation Considerations

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, integrating Impact Checkpoints into the innovation lifecycle is instrumental for responsible and impactful innovation. Here are some key considerations and tips for seamlessly embedding this practice.

1. Define Clear Objectives:

Clearly articulate the objectives of your Impact Checkpoints.

Your objectives should align with your

Inclusive Innovation Principles⁠

. These principles should guide your innovation practices. Impact Checkpoints serve as a vital mechanism for ensuring your inclusive innovation principles are being followed in reality. In the realm of inclusive innovation, where diversity, equity, and accessibility are paramount, these checkpoints become a systematic and intentional means of validating and promoting these principles.

Define what is important for your organisation when assessing:

Societal Impact (Past and Future - Macro Level)

User Impact (Past and Future - Micro Level).

For example, are you focusing on ethical considerations, societal well-being, or equitable outcomes?

Objectives for past assessments should focus on understanding historical impacts, lessons learned, and areas for improvement. In contrast, objectives for future anticipation should emphasise proactive considerations, potential societal shifts, and opportunities for positive user experiences. Distinguishing between these objectives ensures a comprehensive approach that leverages insights from the past while strategically planning for the future in both macro and micro contexts.

Defining clear objectives ensures that your impact checkpoints align with your organisation's values and goals.

2. Integrate Early and Often:

Embed Impact Checkpoints at key stages of the innovation lifecycle, from ideation to implementation. This ensures a holistic evaluation, accounting for macro-level societal considerations and micro-level user experiences at every stage.

Build Impact Checkpoints into your organisational DNA, by making them an integral part of the innovation process, eliminating the need for a singular cheerleader or champion. By institutionalising these practices, you will foster a self-sustaining commitment to inclusivity. This evolution over time allows the process to adapt organically to the unique needs and dynamics of each project.

3. Diversify inputs:

Foster collaboration between diverse teams – including product development, marketing, ethics, and user experience. A cross-functional approach ensures a comprehensive examination of the potential impact from various perspectives.

Prioritise user experiences and perceptions in impact assessments. Understand how technology influences the lives of end-users, especially those who are marginalised or have been historically underserved. Incorporate their feedback and concerns into the evaluation process.

Engage with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including community representatives, NGOs, and experts in relevant fields. Diverse perspectives enrich the impact assessment process, ensuring a more thorough understanding of potential implications.

4. Start small and evolve:

Simplicity and practicality are paramount when incorporating Impact Checkpoints for inclusive innovation. Over-engineering the process can lead to unnecessary complexity, hindering the agility required for meaningful change. What truly matters is the intentional gathering of diverse stakeholders, transparent communication, and accountability, all of which can be seamlessly integrated into the innovation process.

Begin modestly, focusing on a specific project or initiative. Gather a diverse group of stakeholders, ensuring representation from different backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise. Keep the process transparent – openly communicate the objectives and outcomes to build trust and engagement.

Accountability is key. Designate responsibilities for acting on the insights gleaned during Impact Checkpoints. Establish a culture where accountability is inherent, making it clear that the purpose of these checkpoints isn't just assessment but action. Embed accountability into the workflow, ensuring that the organisation systematically acts upon the identified areas for improvement.

5. Continuous Learning and Adaptation:

Provide training to teams involved in the innovation lifecycle to enhance their awareness of Impact Checkpoints. Cultivate a shared understanding of the importance of societal and user impact, encouraging a collective responsibility towards responsible innovation.

Embrace a culture of continuous learning. Focus on solutions, not blame. Regularly update you practices based on evolving societal norms, technological advancements, and feedback.

By incorporating these considerations, utilising the dedicated

Diversily canvases⁠

, and fostering a collaborative and adaptable culture, you can navigate the complexities of the innovation lifecycle with a heightened awareness of societal and user implications, fostering inclusive and impactful technological advancements.

Impact Checkpoints

How can this playbook help you with your impact checkpoints?

Implementation Considerations

1. Define Clear Objectives:

2. Integrate Early and Often:

3. Diversify inputs:

4. Start small and evolve:

5. Continuous Learning and Adaptation:

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