Consequence Scanning

This prompt is intended to support early thinking and ideation. Use it as a companion to spark discussions. Review the output with your team and/or stakeholders to validate and refine the analysis.

Project Overview: {{BRIEF, 1-2 SENTENCE SUMMARY OF YOUR PROJECT}}

Instructions: This prompt guides you through a consequence scan to identify potential positive, negative, and unintended consequence impacts of the above project. For each category, consider the short, medium, and long-term effects. Where applicable, include multiple positive, negative, unintended, likelihood and mitigation. For mitigation include categorizations and where relevant, items for action, influence and monitor, where there is not a suitable item for a category, leave the category blank. Remember to consider regulatory aspects associated with the project, ethical and resident perspective as part of the assessment. Please convert the consequence scan into a well-structured table format so that information is organized clearly while maintaining all the key details produced.

Categories:

Financial:

• Positive: (for example, Cost savings, increased efficiency)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific financial benefit)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to maximize the benefit)
• Negative: (for example, Increased expenditure, funding cuts)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific financial risk)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize the risk)
• Unintended Consequence: (for example, Requests from residents for a ’paid’ service which would offer an income stream but also possibly strain resource)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific financial item)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize or maximize the consequence)

Social:

• Positive: (for example, Improved public services, community engagement)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific social benefit)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to maximize the benefit)
• Negative: (for example, Disruption to residents, displacement of businesses)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific social risk)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize the risk)
• Unintended Consequence: (for example, Project benefits certain demographics more than others, creating social division)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific social impact)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize or maximize the consequence)

Environmental:

• Positive: (for example, Reduced energy consumption, improved air quality)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific environmental benefit)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to maximize the benefit)
• Negative: (for example, Increased waste generation, pollution)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific environmental risk)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize the risk)
• Unintended Consequence: (for example, Project disrupts local wildlife habitat)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific environmental impact)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize or maximize the consequence)

Reputational:

• Positive: (for example, Enhanced public image, increased trust)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific reputational benefit)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to maximize the benefit)
• Negative: (for example, Public backlash, media criticism)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific reputational risk)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize the risk)
• Unintended Consequence: (for example, Project overshadows other important council initiatives, leading to resident dissatisfaction)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific reputational impact)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize or maximize the consequence)

Legal & Regulatory:

• Positive: (for example, Compliance with new regulations, improved risk management)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific legal/regulatory benefit)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to maximize the benefit)
• Negative: (for example, Non-compliance with regulations, legal challenges)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific legal/regulatory risk)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize the risk)
• Unintended Consequence: (for example, Increased administrative burden due to new reporting requirements)
• Specific Impact: (Describe the specific reputational impact)
• Likelihood: (High, Medium, Low)
• Mitigation Strategies: (Actions to minimize or maximize the consequence)