Design for values

Design for Values is an approach that aims at integrating moral values pro-actively in the design of new technology. While this approach originates from outside the field of Technology Assessment (TA), it may now be seen as part of it. This handbook contribution first discusses the emergence, history and some of the theoretical backgrounds of Design for Values. It then describes in more detail how a typical Design for Values process would look like paying attention to: 1) stakeholder analysis and value identification; 2) conceptualizing and specifying values, 3) identifying and dealing with value conflicts, 4) prototyping and testing to validate whether the design indeed embodies the relevant values and 5) ongoing-monitoring for unexpected side-effects and value change, possibly leading to adaptations in the design. Attention is also paid to methods for, and applications of Design for Values, and some of the main limitations and criticism of the approach.