What is an SIS?

1. What is an SIS? Social Impact Statement: The systematic collection of data to inform the ethical analysis of a computing system and system design. • Systematic • Empirical • Informs Ethical Analysis • Informs System Design/Adaptation DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

2. Why do an SIS? • As a teaching tool • Give students experience with real systems imbedded in real organizations • Provide students with skills to spot ethical issues related to design and implementation • Socializes students that social and ethical reflection is a part of their job as professionals • As a real design tool • Same advantages as those associated with user-centered design, iterative design, cooperative design, etc. • Additional emphasis on ethical issues for all stakeholders • It can provide surprises to challenge unspoken assumptions • It focuses attention on the system in a real implementation DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

3. How to do an SIS: • Identify • Socio-Technical System • Stakeholders • Issues • Investigate Issues • Collect Data • Analyze • Report DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

4. Example: A University ID Card(based on a real SIS done by a student) Urban University has implemented a universal ID card for its students. This card allows students access to their dorms, their dorm room, the cafeteria, the library, and student events. It contains information about: • Personal Identity • Cafeteria Plan (updated each time card is used) • Library Records (updated each time card is used) • Building Admission Privileges (updated each time card is used) • Student Event Privileges (updated each time card is used) Cards are updated to show changes in privileges at the beginning of each year and whenever changes need to be made. DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

5. Identify • the Socio-Technical System • the Stakeholders • the Issues DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

6. Investigate Issues • What literature exists regarding each issue? • The more closely targeted to the situation, the better. • Learn to distinguish rant from reason. • How does it guide what I want to know about the system, stakeholders, and social context? • Which of these articles will be helpful to the client? DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

7. Collect Data (Rationale) • Which of the identified issues really matter, and to whom? • What have we missed in identifying system, stakeholders, social context, and issues? • How does the physical and social context of the system alleviate or exacerbate the issues we have identified? DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

8. Collect Data (Methods) • Semi-Structured Interviews • Focus Groups • Surveys • Day in the life scenarios • Observation • Archival Data DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

9. Collate and Analyze the Data • Take anomalies seriously • Look for surprises • Gaining insight is more important than thoroughness DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

10. Write the Report • Executive Summary • Description of the System • Analysis of the Results • Recommendations • Reader's Guide • Methodological Appendix DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff

11. Review • Why do this? to inform ethical analysis • How to Start? • Do an independent study with a student • Do individual pieces in a class (e.g. Identify) • Organize one and assign parts to students in a class DOLCE Workshop SIS Talk, May 2002, Chuck Huff