The Equity Innovation Lab is a set of dynamic and interactive experiences designed to help workplaces design innovations that respond to the unique equity-related experiences at their organization.
For 2022, all Labs will be conducted virtually on an organization by organization basis.
Benefits
- Receive training about design thinking and innovation processes
- Implement one or more innovative equity-related practice
- Make progress toward one or more equity-related goals/objectives
- Be able to measure improvements in equity related to job structures and organizational systems
- Be able to raise the standards of accountability for equity at their workplace
- Be able to transparently affirm commitment to equity at the workplace
- Train Equity Innovation team members to conduct future Equity Innovation Labs
- Be recognized as belonging to a “circle of equity innovation leaders”
Process
Leader Engagement
Conversations with the organizational leader focus on a review of the Work Equity initiative (overall) and the Equity Innovation Lab (specifically). Options for the formation of the Equity Innovation Team are discussed with organizational leaders.
Formation of the Equity Innovation Teams
Information about Work Equity and the Equity Innovation Lab are distributed to employees so that they can decide whether to join their organization’s Equity Innovation Team. Each participating organization forms an Equity Innovation Team, with 8-12 members on each team.
Collection of Equity-Relevant Data
During Stage 1, an Equity Innovation Coach works with each organization to gather information that can contribute to decision making and that will help to mobilize action.
In an effort to document the impact of the innovations implemented at each organization, data are gathered from organizations at three points in time: at the beginning of the Lab during Stage 1 (Time 1 for data collection); after the first two stages of the Lab have been completed but before implementation of the pilot (Time 2 for data collection); and 3-6 months after the launch of the pilot innovation (Time 3 for data collection). The Work Equity researchers prepare a summary report for each organization.
Working with an Equity Innovation Coach, the members of the Equity Innovation participate in 4 working sessions during Stage 2.
Working Session 1
Members of the Equity Innovation Team review equity-relevant information from their own organizations about pressures and priorities, assessments of equity and fairness, and indicators of organizational health and employee well-being. Team members participate in a mock ideation activity to prepare them for Working Session 2.
Working Session 2
Members of the Equity Innovation Team will engage in semi-structured ideation activities (modeled on “design thinking” activities) and generate a wide range of ideas for equity innovation. Team members are encouraged to consider both transformative ideas as well as “small changes that can have a great impact.”
The Equity Innovation Teams focus on innovations related to job structure (e.g., “when, where, how” work gets done, work demands/expectations, employee input into decisions that affect their work, etc.) as well as organizational systems (e.g., policies, practices, culture + climate, and employee supports).
Working Session 3
Each Equity Innovation Team develops a prototype for one (or more) practice innovation. Members of the Equity Innovation Teams present an “Idea Pitch”.
Working Session 4
Members of the Equity Innovation Team and other organizational leaders develop an implementation workplan and responsibility chart for the pilot. Metrics of success will be specified so that the organization can assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the pilot.
Getting it Right
Each organization implements one (or more) equity-relevant pilot during Stage 3. Each organizational works with an Coach to gather information about the success of pilots. At the conclusion of the pilot, members of the Implementation Team prepare for scaling-up the innovation within the organization.
Working Session 5
Organizations that participated in an Equity Innovation Lab will re-convene for a Celebration of Success. Team members will provide summaries of their success and will outline “lessons learned.” The experiences of each organization will be captured in short summaries that will be added to the Promising Equity Practices.
Interested in learning more? Contact one of our team members today.