Assessment of Inclusive Innovation: Where are you now?

Unaware

There is unawareness of what inclusive innovation means, it might have generic inclusive policies but when it comes to inclusive innovation, there is a lack of understanding of what needs to be done. 

Which of the following applies to your organisation?

1. No awareness of what inclusive innovation is.
2. Compliant with basic diversity and inclusion policy but not connected to innovation.
3. The organisation does not consider inclusion in our approach to innovation of our products, services or processes.
4. None of the above

If “None of the above” selected, the organisation may be at a higher level. Please continue to the next stage to determine their position.

If two or more of options 1–3, then the organisation has no awareness of inclusive innovation. Then add the following information “The assessment suggests that there is no awareness of inclusive innovation, though there is evidence of adherence to wider diversity and inclusion policy there still needs to be work done in terms of inclusive innovation. Please make use of resources that will be suggested in the next stage to develop more awareness on inclusive innovation to reach different levels as per your needs.”

If only option 1 is selected, then the organisation is in level 1. 

If only options 2–3 selected (without option 1) , the organisation is closer to Level 1, but with some baseline awareness so proceed to next level.

Basic Awareness 

There is basic awareness of what inclusive innovation means. There is understanding of the need for inclusive innovation, but they have not been included in different practices. 

1. Aware of what inclusive innovation is and its importance.
2. No specific strategies in place to promote inclusive innovation.
3. Have not started having discussions about inclusive innovation in existing or new products.
4. None of the above

If “None of the above” selected, the organisation may be at a higher level. Continue to the next stage.

If more than 2 selected, then they have basic awareness. “The assessment suggests that there is basic awareness of inclusive innovation, though there is evidence of some strategies being thought of in terms of inclusive innovation there still needs to be work done. Please make use of resources that will be suggested in the next stage to implement inclusive innovation to reach different levels as per your needs.”

If option 1 selected plus at least one of options 2 or 3, this suggests basic awareness (Level 2).

If only option 1 selected, this suggests the organisation may already be moving beyond basic awareness. Continue to the next stage to confirm your position.

If only options 2 or 3 (without option 1) selected, this suggests the organisation may still be at Level 1 (Unaware).

Active experimentation 

There is understanding and awareness of inclusive innovation. Steps have been taken to identify where the inclusion aspect fits into the organisation but constantly facing barriers to implement them.

1. Identified how to be innovative in different products/services.
2. Have recognised that some existing products and services lack diversity.
3. Tried to engage with underrepresented groups to better understand their needs to shape our products or services.
4. Have regular discussions within the organisation about being inclusive in different innovative product/process development.
5. Have not successfully implemented initiatives or practices related to inclusive innovation.
6. None of the above.

If “None of the above” selected, the organisation may already be at a higher level. Please continue to the next stage.

If three or more of options 1–5, including option 5, then they are actively experimenting with different strategies to engage in inclusive innovation. “The assessment suggests that the organisation is actively experimenting by identifying how to be inclusive innovation, however, have not successfully implemented any practices that were discussed. Please make use of resources that will be suggested in the next stage to implement inclusive innovation to reach different levels as per your needs.”

If options 1–4 but not option 5 selected, the organisation may be moving beyond experimentation toward implementation (Level 4 or higher).

If only one of options 1–4 (e.g., only Option 3) is selected, then organisation is still closer to Level 2 (Basic Awareness), since isolated action without broader alignment does not yet indicate active experimentation.

If two of options 1–4 selected, without option 5, then organisation is in a transition stage; this still aligns more with Level 2 (Basic Awareness) than with Level 3.

Operational in production and value creation of products 

Inclusive innovation is recognised as a business benefit. Different strategies are designed to create different product and services that are inclusive.

1. Engage extensively with underrepresented groups to understand their needs to shape our products or services.
2. Have come up with different strategies or practices to improve the accessibility of our product/services by underrepresented groups.
3. Have successfully implemented inclusive initiatives or practices when thinking about products/services for underrepresented groups.
4. Have not included underrepresented groups in the development of innovative product/services.
5. None of the above.

If “None of the above” selected, the organisation may already be operating at a higher level. Continue to the next stage.

If more three or more of options 1–4, including option 3 selected, then they are operationalising different strategies developed for inclusive innovation focusing on impact of the products and services. “The assessment suggests that the organisation is engaged with different underrepresented groups making sure their product serves a purpose and have started implementing different practices by making sure the product meets the needs of underrepresented groups, however, have not included them in the process. Please make use of resources that will be suggested in the next stage to implement inclusive innovation to reach different levels as per your needs.”

If options 1 and 2, but not option 3 selected, this indicates the organisation is still experimenting (Level 3), as implementation has not yet been achieved.

If only option 3 selected, the organisation may already be progressing beyond Level 4 (toward Level 5: Embedded/Transformational), since implementation is established but broader integration may be underway.

If option 4 selected along with other positive options (1–3), this suggests inconsistency in engagement and strategies, but without genuine inclusion in development. This still fits Level 4, but highlights an area needing improvement.

Systemic – part of process and business model

1. Have different training in place for employees to think about innovation and engage in it.
2. Inclusive leadership training provided to decision makers to develop understanding and lead inclusive innovation initiatives.
3. Different representatives from underrepresented groups are involved in product/service development.
4. Engage in regular user experience to understand the views of different groups r to gather feedback regarding the product/service.
5. Establish charters or advisory boards to review different practices and embed inclusive innovation into organisational culture.
6. Have a clear, shared understanding of what inclusive innovation means to your organisation. 
7. Have shared good practices internally but not yet with the wider community.
8. Consider ourselves as leaders in inclusive innovation.
9. None of the above

If “None of the above” selected, the organisation may already be beyond the current assessment or outside this model; continue to the next stage for advanced reflection.

If you select five or more of options 1–8 selected, then they are implementing different strategies developed for inclusive innovation focusing on the development of the products and services and in making inclusion part of the innovation process. “The assessment suggests that the organisation is engaged extensively with different underrepresented groups making sure they become part of the innovation process be it product/services however there might still be work that needs to be done to become inclusive innovation champions. Please make use of resources that will be suggested in the next stage to implement inclusive innovation to reach different levels as per your needs.”

If options 1–6 selected but not 7 or 8, the organisation is operating systemically but may not yet be championing or influencing the wider community.

If only options 7 or 8 selected, this suggests aspiration or perception of leadership without systemic evidence, the organisation may still be at Level 4 (Operational).

If 3 and 4 selected together, without broader governance structures (options 5–6), this indicates strong practice but still short of being fully systemic, a sign of transition between Level 4 and 5.

Champions of Innovation

Inclusive innovation is focus of the organisation. Have become champions in inclusive innovation and are working to embed inclusivity within the innovation ecosystem by supporting different stakeholders.

1. Inclusive innovation is part of the organisational culture and its defining characteristic.
2. Leaders of inclusive innovation and serve as role model for different stakeholders.
3. Share good practices and knowledge of inclusive innovation with external stakeholders.
4. Advocate for inclusive innovation among different underrepresented groups and broader communities.
5. Create workshops, programmes, or other opportunities to support underrepresented groups in innovation ecosystem.
6. None of the above. 

If “None of the above”, your organisation may not be at champion level. Please use suggested resources on advancing ecosystem leadership.

If three or more of options 1–5 selected, then they are champions in inclusive innovation ecosystem. “The assessment suggests that the organisation is champions in inclusive innovation champions. You could make use of resources that will be suggested in the next stage to understand different practices or actions you could be involved in to promote inclusive innovation among other stakeholders and stay as champions in the ecosystem”.

If only options 1–2 selected, this suggests the organisation is strong internally but may still be closer to Level 5 (Systemic) if external leadership is not yet evident.

If only options 3–5 selected without 1–2, this suggests active ecosystem influence but not yet a defining cultural characteristic, also closer to Level 5 (Systemic).