Key value indicators: A framework for values-driven next-generation ICT solutions

Technology design, development and evaluation has long been driven by functional performance optimization and estimated market opportunities. Today, societal challenges and sustainable development goals are calling for a paradigm shift towards aligning technology development with a values-based consideration and re-prioritization of different ecological, social and economic outcomes. Values have been identified as key drivers of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) research. They are taken into account in the development of 6G networks, e.g. in the context of EU research funding frameworks, but a clear conceptual framework for values-driven development is still missing. This paper deals with the concept of Key Value Indicators (KVIs) as a method for analyzing the values-related outcomes stemming from ICT developments. Leveraging established definitions, frameworks and value identification methods, the paper proposes a structured KVI framework tailored to the ICT research and development (R&D) sector. The proposed framework comprises five steps, starting from the use case-related identification of values to the assessment of value outcomes. ICT-enabled smart cities are analyzed as an example use case to illustrate how this framework can be applied. The KVI framework is aimed to be a useful tool for the ICT research sector (to be used – primarily but not exclusively – by ICT research projects and programs) to address social challenges in technology design and development phases and to identify and estimate value outcomes from technology use. In addition, the proposed framework aims to assist policy makers to establish value-related targets and set requirements and conditions for ICT developments.