# Ethics by Design, consequence scanning and values

*Platform Strategy Designer Study Guide · Value Design · Last updated November 2, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-strategy-designer/value-design/ethics-by-design-consequence-scanning-and-values*

How a strategy designer advocates for ethics and values: what Ethics by Design means and why it pays, the EthicalOS risk zones and consequence categories, how to plan and follow through on a consequence scanning workshop, bias and fairness, and values-driven design with advisory councils and documented decisions.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Strategy Designer
- Exam section: Value Design
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-strategy-designer

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a customer scenario, advocate for ethics and values on behalf of both users and the organization.

## What the exam expects

- Define Ethics by Design and argue for building it into the standard process with Salesforce Research's 2018 figures.
- Map a concern to an EthicalOS risk zone or a consequence scanning category.
- Plan a consequence scanning workshop (scope, invitees, prework), sort consequences into act, influence and monitor, and make the results reach the roadmap.
- Challenge "it benefits most people" fairness claims, and reduce bias when the team lacks varied perspectives.
- Apply values-driven design: values from the start, advisory councils, documented decisions and values as a differentiator.
- Key terms: **Ethics by Design** (technology designed, developed and used ethically and humanely, intended from the start to maximize positive impact); **consequence scanning** (a workshop that examines intended and unintended consequences); **productive friction** (checkpoints that make teams pause and consider impact); **digital bias** (systematic, repeatable errors that create unfair outcomes); **values-driven design** (centering the design process on core values).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 survey | 2,400+ US consumers; 86% more loyal to ethical companies | [Define Ethics by Design](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/ethics-by-design/define-ethics-by-design) |
| Workforce | 79% would consider leaving an employer with poor ethics | [Define Ethics by Design](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/ethics-by-design/define-ethics-by-design) |
| EthicalOS | Eight risk zones | [Define Ethics by Design](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/ethics-by-design/define-ethics-by-design) |
| Consequence categories | Six, from Doteveryone | [Incorporate Ethics by Design](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/ethics-by-design/incorporate-ethics-by-design-concepts) |
| Workshop phases | Ideation, then action | [Consequence Scanning Workshop](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accountability-in-design/plan-a-consequence-scanning-workshop) |
| Matrix | Four quadrants: positive vs to mitigate, intended vs unintended | [Consequence Scanning Workshop](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accountability-in-design/plan-a-consequence-scanning-workshop) |
| Scope | One feature, early in development | [Consequence Scanning Workshop](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accountability-in-design/plan-a-consequence-scanning-workshop) |
| Follow-through | Separate prioritization meeting led by product managers | [Consequence Scanning Workshop](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accountability-in-design/plan-a-consequence-scanning-workshop) |
| Disability prevalence | Nearly 1 in 5 potential end users | [Learn About Accessibility](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accessibility-basics/learn-about-accessibility) |
| Fairness definitions | Over 21 (2018 ACM panel) | [Ethical Use of Technology](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/responsible-creation-of-artificial-intelligence/understand-the-ethical-use-of-technology) |

## Check yourself

- Which three questions does a consequence scan ask?
- Why does Consequence Scanning insert "productive friction"?
- When do participants vote with sticky notes in a scan?
- What share of consumers in the 2018 survey said companies must improve the state of the world?

## Sources

- [Define Ethics by Design](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/ethics-by-design/define-ethics-by-design)
- [Plan a Consequence Scanning Workshop](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accountability-in-design/plan-a-consequence-scanning-workshop)
- [Incorporate Ethics by Design Concepts](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/ethics-by-design/incorporate-ethics-by-design-concepts)
- [Learn About Values-Driven Design](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/values-driven-design/learn-about-values-driven-design)
- [Understand the Ethical Use of Technology](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/responsible-creation-of-artificial-intelligence/understand-the-ethical-use-of-technology)
- [Learn About Accessibility](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/accessibility-basics/learn-about-accessibility)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 17 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Strategy Designer pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams