Standard : Discovery is inclusive and diverse

Purpose and Strategic Importance

This standard ensures discovery activities actively include diverse perspectives across customers, disciplines, and stakeholders. By broadening participation, teams uncover richer insights and create products that are more equitable and effective.

It supports our policy "Inclusive Discovery". Without it, products risk bias, blind spots, and exclusion of key groups.

Strategic Impact

  • Broader and deeper customer insights
  • More equitable and inclusive products
  • Stronger innovation through diversity of thought

Risks of Not Having This Standard

  • Biased or incomplete product insights
  • Exclusion of underrepresented groups
  • Loss of innovation potential

CMMI Maturity Model

Level 1 – Initial

  • People & Culture: Discovery limited to a small, homogenous group.
  • Process & Governance: No guidance for inclusivity in discovery.
  • Technology & Tools: Tools used do not account for accessibility or inclusivity.
  • Measurement & Metrics: No metrics on diversity or inclusivity in discovery.

Level 2 – Managed

  • People & Culture: Some awareness of the need for diverse voices. Participation occasionally broadened.
  • Process & Governance: Ad hoc inclusion of stakeholders, without consistency.
  • Technology & Tools: Basic survey tools or focus groups used, but limited reach.
  • Measurement & Metrics: Inclusivity noted but not tracked formally.

Level 3 – Defined

  • People & Culture: Teams consistently involve cross-functional colleagues and a wider customer base.
  • Process & Governance: Clear guidelines exist for inclusive discovery practices.
  • Technology & Tools: Accessibility and inclusivity considered in research tools.
  • Measurement & Metrics: Participation diversity tracked at project level.

Level 4 – Quantitatively Managed

  • People & Culture: Inclusion is embedded into cultural norms.
  • Process & Governance: Formal review ensures discovery processes include diverse perspectives.
  • Technology & Tools: Platforms support broad, accessible participation.
  • Measurement & Metrics: Metrics track inclusivity outcomes across teams.

Level 5 – Optimising

  • People & Culture: Inclusivity is celebrated, with teams leading innovation through diversity.
  • Process & Governance: Processes continuously adapt to increase inclusivity.
  • Technology & Tools: AI/ML tools surface participation gaps proactively.
  • Measurement & Metrics: Continuous improvement of inclusivity metrics, tied to product outcomes.

Key Measures

  • % of discovery activities with diverse customer/stakeholder participation
  • Accessibility compliance in research practices
  • Inclusivity scores from customer and team feedback