approvalor

Approvalor is a proposed decision-making framework that seeks to combine traditional approval processes with value-based justification. It emphasizes that approvals should reflect not only technical feasibility or legality but also ethical considerations and anticipated societal impact. The term is a neologism likely formed from the words approve and valor (value or worth) and has appeared in policy and governance discussions since the late 2010s, though its usage is not standardized.

Core elements of approvalor include procedural due process (clear steps for assessment and appeal), value assessment (systematic consideration of norms, rights, equity, and long-term welfare), and accountability (documentation, explicit rationale, and post-approval monitoring).

It is used in theoretical and applied contexts such as public policy, corporate governance, and technology development. In policy work, approvals for regulations or investments may be conditioned on a value assessment; in corporate governance, project approvals may include ethical impact reviews; in AI and software, roadmaps may require a valor check to weigh potential harms and benefits.

Critics argue that value-based analysis can be subjective, slow down decision-making, and risk embedding normative biases. Proponents contend that approvalor improves legitimacy, public trust, and resilience to criticism by making value considerations an explicit part of approval.

See also: impact assessment, ethics review, governance, risk assessment, value-based decision making.