Diversity Assessment Tool (DAT) App

How We Are Solving It

In support of a more diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem, Simon Fraser University’s VentureLabs is partnering with Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Diversity Institute and others on the Diversity Assessment Tool (DAT) Application for Inclusive Innovation project.

The DAT application will be the first digital tool to dynamically assess the diversity and inclusion policies and practices of organizations and to help develop strategies. This accessible and easy-to-use application will also share customized knowledge, tools, and resources with organizations to help them implement their strategies. It will address six critical areas – leadership and governance, human resources practices, culture, metrics, the value chain, and partnerships. The one-year project is set to transform diversity and inclusion assessments from an expensive, resource-intensive activity typically reserved for large enterprises to an evidence-based, affordable, easy-to-use, and self-guided online process.

The methodology underlying the DAT application will be based on the diversity assessment tool developed by faculty in Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute. This methodology is backed by 20 years of research and has been adopted by many organizations to advance their diversity and inclusion strategies.

Once developed, the DAT app will be piloted with Supercluster Members and working with sectoral councils, chambers of commerce and other business organizations, will reach SMEs across the country. The DAT’s playbook, templates, and examples will help companies identify opportunities, take action, and create sustainable change.

The project team will include students who will develop, test and refine the DAT application and related processes. This will be a unique learning opportunity, in terms of developing digital skills and gaining a stronger understanding and appreciation of the value of diversity and inclusion. Lastly, the team will develop a commercialization strategy and international partnerships to ensure the DAT application is adopted widely and supported for years to come.

The Result

As a result of the project, the online version of the Diversity Assessment Tool (DAT App) was launched. The DAT App aims to advance diversity and inclusion among SMEs by providing SMEs with a snapshot of their current workplace, along with the necessary insight and resources to build a Diversity Strategy for their organization. The DAT App project built on 20 years of D&I research and practice to support organizations in building diverse and inclusive workplaces and in attracting and retaining more diverse skilled talent.

The DAT App can identify gaps and receive recommendations, policy templates, and other documents to improve an organization’s practices, policies, and processes from a diversity and inclusion perspective. Ultimately, the goal of the DAT App is to provide organizations with insights and resources to help make the workplace more equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Organizations receive a personalized report with recommendations and tools to help them move from where they currently stand to where they want to be in terms of diversity and inclusion. The DAT App is currently being used to support programs such as the 50-30 Challenge, allowing participating organizations to understand where they currently stand in terms of compliance with Challenge goals and helping set relevant strategic goals to meet the challenge targets.