Consequence scanning is a practice that helps teams to consider the potential consequences of their product or service on people, communities, and the planet1. It is an agile tool that fits within an iterative development cycle and allows teams to identify and mitigate risks, as well as focus on positive outcomes2. One of the goals of consequence scanning is to reframe the product objectives from multiple, diverse perspectives. This means that the team can explore how different stakeholders, such as users, organisations, or society, might be affected by the product or service, both intentionally and unintentionally2. By doing so, the team can ensure that the product or service aligns with their values and culture, and that they are aware of the trade-offs and implications of their decisions2. Reframing the product objectives from multiple, diverse perspectives can also help the team to discover new opportunities, generate innovative solutions, and increase user satisfaction and trust3.
Encouraging team well-being through collaboration and identifying the best angle for positive launch press coverage are not the primary goals of consequence scanning, although they might be beneficial side effects. Consequence scanning is not a PR exercise, but a way to ensure responsible innovation and ethical design2. While consequence scanning can foster team collaboration and communication, it is not a team-building activity, but a way to share knowledge and expertise and raise concerns in a dedicated format2. References:
Consequence scanning: How to mitigate risks in your service
Consequence Scanning – an agile practice for responsible innovators
What is consequence scanning?
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