This British standard was published under the authority of the standards Policy and strategy Committee on 4 February 2005

The following BSI references relate to the work on this British standard:
Committee reference Ms/4
Draft for comment DC04/3008399

Committees responsible for this British Standard

The preparation of this British standard was entrusted to Technical Committee Ms/4, Design management systems, upon which the following bodies were represented:

Association for Project Management
Association of Innovation Management
Association of MBAs
British standards society
BSI Consumer Policy Committee
Defence Manufacturers Association
Department of Trade and Industry (Design Policy and services)
Design Council
Engineering Industries Association
Federation of small Businesses
Institute of Quality Assurance
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Electrical Engineers
Institution of Engineering Designers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Ministry of Defence
NAFEMS
Royal Institute of British Architects
UMIST
University of Glasgow
University of surrey

Drafting committee

The drafting committee Ms/4/-/10, Inclusive design, comprised of representatives from the following organizations:

Association of Greater London Older Women
Association of MBAs
BSI-CPC Consumer Representation in standardization
Centre of Policy on Ageing
Design Council
Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, Royal College of Art
Royal National Institute for Deaf People
Tesco stores
The Chartered Institution of Building services Engineers
University of Cambridge
University of Reading
BSI committee OC/13/-/2 liaison via the Royal National Institute of the Blind

Foreword

This Part of Bs 7000 has been published under the authority of MS/4.

The Bs 7000 series of British standards currently comprises the following parts:

Part 1: Guide to managing innovation;
Part 2: Guide to managing the design of manufactured products;
Part 3: Guide to managing service design;
Part 4: Guide to managing design in construction;
Part 5: Guide to managing obsolescence;
Part 6: Managing inclusive design - Guide;
Part 10: Glossary of terms used in design management.

The BS 7000 series of British standards are relevant to all types of products and services, and to the business processes involved in their creation, fabrication, delivery and sustenance in the market, right through to final disposal, including the management of obsolescence. They apply to all levels of staff and management in all types of organizations operating in the manufacturing, process, service and construction industries, as well as in the public and not-for-profit sectors. Those adopting this standard should seek to benefit from all other relevant parts of this series.

BS 7000‑6 will be supported by a regularly updated list of useful publications, organizations, links and resources relating to inclusive design. The intention is to guide newcomers to relevant literature and act as an access point to key websites for use at the discretion of readers. This will be hosted by the Design Council at: www.designcouncil.org.uk/inclusivedesign.

In addition, an extended bibliography of related UK, EU and other European standards and more specialist publications will be downloadable in portable document format (pdf). Originally for the joint CEN/CENELEC Working Group CEN/BTWG 113 Safety and usability of products by people with special needs, and CENELEC BT/WG 101-5 Usability and safety of electrical products with reference to people with special needs.

Users are also advised to consider the desirability of applying the guidance provided by the BS 7000 series of British standards to fill in the detail relating to managing design when adopting the BS EN ISO 9000, BS ISO/IEC TR 10000, BS EN ISO 14001 and ISO 19000 series, as well as BS 6079, BS 8300 and BS 8800.

Users are invited to submit technical comments, observations and suggestions to the Technical Committee MS/4 secretary at BSI (see address on back cover). This will assist the Committee when it reviews the standard in due course and considers additional parts to the Bs 7000 series.

This publication is available in larger font. Please contact BSI Customer service for further information (details on the back cover).

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

Summary of pages

This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages ii to iv, pages 1 to 47 and a back cover.

The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the document was last issued.

0 Introduction

0.1 General

It is increasingly recognized that disability is not a simple consequence of an individual’s impaired capability, but results from a failure to take proper account of the needs, capabilities and preferences of all potential users when designing products and services. Internationally, significant legislation, regulations and changing attitudes within society have createda framework for a more inclusive society.

NOTE See definition of “product” 3.14.

Organizations that fail to ensure that their products meet the needs of the wider population will be exposed to the possibility of litigation and damage to their reputations. Those adopting a pro-active approach based on a better understanding of consumer needs and aspirations stand to benefit from an improved quality of products; increased sales and customer satisfaction and loyalty; stronger brand values and enhanced brand recognition; greater profitability and improved returns on investment. Everyone benefits.

0.2 What is inclusive design?

Inclusive design is comprehensive, integrated design which encompasses all aspects of a product used by consumers of diverse age and capability in a wide range of contexts, throughout the product’s lifecycle from conception to final disposal.

Its ultimate goal is to meet the needs of all such consumers and is based on the principle that appropriate access to information, products and facilities is a fundamental human right.

Inclusive design needs to be a key element in an inclusive business strategy. This standard provides a strategic framework and associated processes by which business executives and design practitioners can understand and respond to the needs of diverse users without stigma or limitations.

Inclusive design recognizes diversity by addressing the ability and preferences, for example, of people who:

have impaired vision and/or hearing (including colour blindness, etc.);
are from different cultures (with different languages, values and/or customs);
have language and/or speech impairments (resulting in difficulties with reading, comprehension and in expressing oneself);
have physical limitations (whether due to temporary or permanent reductions in strength, movement and/or co-ordination; allergies, sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation, etc.);
are of different ages;
have varying cognitive abilities;
have different dietary requirements for medical reasons or through choice;
have different requirements because of their gender.

By determining the capability demands of a product on users, it is possible to identify and quantify those who have difficulty with, or cannot use it. Designing products to lessen such demands can attract valuable additional market sectors often excluded by competitors. Indeed, satisfaction is more likely throughout the customer base when usability is ensured for all in the target market population.

The true accessibility of products is determined by the accessibility of their weakest component whether packaging, instructions, interface, after sales service and so on. Concentrating attention on one component while neglecting others is likely to result in a product that is weak overall.

0.3 Why inclusive design?

The business case for adopting an inclusive approach to design is built around five key drivers and opportunities:

A better understanding of changing consumer needs, lifestyles, expectations and aspirations: to expand the consumer base, extend product lifecycles and develop brand loyalty.
A better alignment of an organization’s consumer offer with its customers and markets (such as those due to population ageing, new legislation, technological change and the adoption of inclusive design by competitors): to boost turnover, market shares and returns on investment, hence profitability.
A distinctive competency that creates competitive advantage: to create effective user-centred designs and better-integrated product ranges through the application of human factors principles. These encourage repeat purchases, guard against dissatisfaction due to limitations in usability and accessibility, and minimize the cost of servicing and returns.
An enhanced ability to identify and exploit opportunities for innovation and the benefits of products: to build and sustain corporate reputation and brand value during social and technological change by surmounting greater design challenges, developing distinctive user-friendly products and generating greater goodwill from powerful overlooked sectors.
A closer association between staff, investors, corporate values and mission: to maintain workforce loyalty (particularly in the context of a longer working life for employees, an ageing population and changing expectations with regard to retirement); to improve efficiency, enhance motivation and ensure that essential skills are retained within the company.

In sum, inclusive design makes business sense, reflects on the social responsibility of organizations, and provides visible signals of compliance with legislation.

Annex A provides further information on the challenges of leading inclusivity in business.

1 Scope

Though the inclusive approach ultimately encompasses the whole of business and management, this part of BS 7000 provides guidance on managing inclusive design at both organization and project levels. It seeks to link design thinking with the core concerns of organizations in other established business disciplines.

This standard is aimed at:

top executives of all organizations offering products and services. It helps them to lead the introduction of an inclusive approach and evolve an appropriate corporate culture that nurtures inclusive success.
middle executives who set up and administer product and service development projects. It helps them formulate better-focused and more enlightened briefs. It also assists in motivating project teams as well as the evaluation of solutions generated.
junior executives and specialists who are assigned to project teams that create and develop products and services. It helps them adopt more appropriate perspectives and approaches to inclusive design.
executives responsible for procuring outsourced product design services and supplies, and for adhering to agreed specifications. It helps them to sustain the inclusive approach throughout the supply chain.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Managing inclusive design at the organization level

4.1 General

4.2 Responsibility for inclusive and assignment of tasks

4.3 Reviews of current operations, facilities, knowledge and achievements

4.4 Formulation of inclusive design mission statement, objectives, strategies and plans

4.5 Initiating a corporate campaign to introduce a new orientation towards inclusive design

4.6 Communication of inclusive design objectives, strategies and programme

4.7 Introducing inclusivity into corporate identity and culture

4.8 Corporate infrastructure for managing inclusive design

4.9 Inclusive design in the master design programme

4.10 Totality of products, services, processes and facilities

4.11 Closeness to markets and success of products

4.12 Product development and marketing strategies

4.13 Impact of launch on lifetime profitability of product

4.14 Promotion, distribution, customer support and disposal

4.15 Legal aspects of managing inclusive design

4.16 Innovative alliances

4.17 Investment programmes featuring inclusive design

4.18 Reviews and control of inclusive design standards, activities and procedures

4.19 Evaluation of corporate performance

4.20 Summary checklist for introducing a professional approach to inclusive design management into an organization

5 Managing inclusive design at the project level

5.1 General

5.2 Overview of managing inclusive design projects

5.3 Primary stages of inclusive design projects

5.4 Summary checklist of basics of effective inclusive design management (project level)

Bibliography

BS 7000-6:2005

Design management systems - Managing inclusive design. Guide

Current, Under Review

Published:

4 Feb 2005