Use this template to systematically evaluate the ethical, social, and environmental impacts of your project or product. It is recommended to complete this assessment during the planning phase and revisit it before major releases.
1. Project Information
- Project Name:
- Team/Department:
- Date of Assessment:
- Assessor(s):
- Version/Phase:
2. Summary of the Feature or Change
- What is the goal of this feature/project?
- What key functionalities or changes are being introduced?
3. Stakeholder Impact
- Who are the direct and indirect stakeholders?
- How might this change affect users, employees, communities, or other groups?
- Have affected stakeholders been consulted or represented?
4. Ethical Considerations
- Are there risks of bias, discrimination, or exclusion?
- Could this be misused or lead to unintended harm?
- Does the decision respect user autonomy, privacy, and consent?
5. Social Impact
- Could this feature reinforce or challenge existing societal inequalities?
- Will it contribute to or hinder accessibility, fairness, or well-being?
6. Environmental Impact
- Does this change affect energy consumption, emissions, or resource usage?
- Are there sustainable alternatives that could be considered?
7. Transparency and Accountability
- Is the decision-making process and its rationale documented?
- Is there a clear owner responsible for ongoing ethical review?
- How will results and risks be communicated to users or the public?
8. Mitigations and Safeguards
- What measures are in place to address identified risks?
- How will the team respond if harm is detected post-release?
9. Review Summary and Next Steps
- What are the key findings from this assessment?
- Are any follow-up actions or reviews required?
- When will the next assessment take place?
Attach any supporting documents, diagrams, or research.