A Survey of Value Sensitive Design Methods

Value sensitive design is a theoretically grounded approach to the designof technology that accounts for human values in a principled andsystematic manner throughout the design process. In this article weprovide a survey of 14 value sensitive design methods: 1 direct andindirect stakeholder analysis; 2 value source analysis; 3 co-evolutionof technology and social structure; 4 value scenario; 5 value sketch;6 value-oriented semi- structured interview; 7 scalable informationdimensions; 8 value-oriented coding manual; 9 value-oriented mockup,prototype, or field deployment; 10 ethnographically informed inquiryregarding values and technology; 11 model of informed consentonline; 12 value dams and flows; 13 value sensitive action-reflectionmodel; and 14 Envisioning Cards TM. Each of these methods is honedto the investigation of values in technology, serving such purposesas stakeholder identification and legitimation, value representation andelicitation, and values analysis. While presented individually, the methodsare intended to be integrated in a robust value sensitive designprocess. The survey article begins with a brief summary of value sensitivedesign methodology and theoretical constructs. We next providean overview of the 14 methods. Then, we turn to a broader discussion ofvalue sensitive design practice, focussing on some methodological strategiesand heuristics to support skillful value sensitive design practice.Following the broad discussion of practice, we illustrate one method inaction-value scenarios-providing details on its range of purposes andcontexts. We conclude with reflections on core characteristics of valuesensitive design methodology, and heuristics for innovation.