What is it?

The Value Lenses allow you to focus on a particular value that may be derived from the experience you are providing. The five Value Lenses, a unique feature of the Balanced Value Impact Model, are based on the types of value that are most commonly connected with the experience of interacting with digital cultural heritage.

The lenses can be used whenever you want to focus on exploring how one of the five values relate to your work. Each lens enables us to zoom in on the perceived value of what you are measuring without being distracted by the bigger picture. The bigger picture might be what you discuss using the Strategic Perspectives tool.

How do I use it?

The five lenses each give us the ability to gather insights we need to design for and assess impact. You might use it in a Change Pathway workshop to help kick off a discussion about the type of outcomes you think your project should or does generate. It will help you focus on types of outcomes that you might like to measure. It might also help you think about outputs, too. You don’t need to spend too long discussing the lenses, but it can be a helpful prompt to open up people’s minds about the different kinds of value digital resources can have.

When can I use it?

The Value Lenses, like the Strategic Perspectives, are used in Phase one. However, they have a role to play in all other phases, too.

Download the value lenses canvas!

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The five Value Lenses

The utility lens

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The focus on the value or benefit gained by people through engaging with the activities during a specific time period. The Utility lens enables us to look for evidence that people developed a new resource, changed their perspective or outlook, or used more of a resource or service.

The existence lens

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The focus on the value gained from knowing that activities exist and are cherished, whether they are being used or not. We use the Existence lens to reveal evidence of how important people find the conceptual value and prestige derived from the existence of a resource or service.

The legacy lens

The focus on the value derived from the ability to pass forward or receive activities between generations and communities. The Legacy lens shows us that people who exchange resources derive a benefit from inheriting and bequeathing (passing on) these and understand there is a benefit to be gained.

The learning lens

The focus on the value derived by a person from their ability to formally or informally learn from activities and the difference that this makes to a person's sense of culture, education, knowledge, and heritage. We want to use the Learning lens to reveal if an increase in opportunity for both formal and informal learning has been enabled, and whether it is beneficial on a personal and communal level.

The community lens

The focus on the value derived from the experience of being part of a community that engages with the activities. We want to use the Community lens to reveal people feeling better connected to their community and the subject.