97
qualitative statements regarding value choice can, however, be included and made
explicit in the goal and scope phase when specifying the “obligatory product properties” of functional unit which directly attach key stakeholder preferences to the
thing being studied (Weidema 2019).
5.3.13 How Will the Results of the Various Parts of the Study
Be Systematically Interpreted?
Interpretation is the fourth phase listed in the LCA framework and can be understood as a bracketing “counterpart of the scientifically similar ‘soft’ phase ‘definition of goal and scope’ first phase” (Klöpffer and Grahl 2014). Knowing upfront
what interpretive framework will be later applied to review each of the first three
phases helps to set appropriate data sources and their quantity and quality requirements used in the LCI phase. It also helps when selecting which appropriate methods and specific evaluative LCIA phase components to use. Impact categories,
category indicators, and characterization factors, for instance, will change depending on the end purpose of the study laid out in the goal and scope phase, and data
coverage and quality standards increase or decrease as do the number of environmental impact categories included. ISO 14040 describes the interpretation phase of
LCA to be that:
…in which the findings from the inventory analysis and the impact assessment are considered together or, in the case of LCI studies, the findings of the inventory analysis only. The
interpretation phase should deliver results that are consistent with the defined goal and
scope and which reach conclusions, explain limitations and provide recommendations.
(ISO 2006a)
The intentions of the interpretation phase first align goal and scope with the broad
phase components included in or excluded from the study. In explaining the results
of the study, they will largely reflect and reiterate the initial outline of the goal and
scope study phase. Qualitative consistency between the first and fourth phase
bracket and contextualize the conclusions produced by the quantitative second and
third phase.
The necessary application of human judgment introduced early and late in a
study can be seen by some as a fundamental weakness as compared to the methodological objective rigor at the core of any LCA (stages 2 and 3) or LCI (stage 2
only.) The judgements, however, are also informed and guided by other scientifically rigorous methods that serve as a backstop to drawing capricious or casual
conclusions. Walter Klopffer sites Heijungs et al.’s five separate numerical
approaches that can be applied in the interpretation phase. They include:
• Comparative analysis
• Contribution analysis or sectorial analysis
• Discernibility analysis
• Perturbation analysis
• Uncertainty analysis
5.3 Goal and Scope Definition
qualitative statements regarding value choice can, however, be included and made
explicit in the goal and scope phase when specifying the “obligatory product properties” of functional unit which directly attach key stakeholder preferences to the
thing being studied (Weidema 2019).
5.3.13 How Will the Results of the Various Parts of the Study
Be Systematically Interpreted?
Interpretation is the fourth phase listed in the LCA framework and can be understood as a bracketing “counterpart of the scientifically similar ‘soft’ phase ‘definition of goal and scope’ first phase” (Klöpffer and Grahl 2014). Knowing upfront
what interpretive framework will be later applied to review each of the first three
phases helps to set appropriate data sources and their quantity and quality requirements used in the LCI phase. It also helps when selecting which appropriate methods and specific evaluative LCIA phase components to use. Impact categories,
category indicators, and characterization factors, for instance, will change depending on the end purpose of the study laid out in the goal and scope phase, and data
coverage and quality standards increase or decrease as do the number of environmental impact categories included. ISO 14040 describes the interpretation phase of
LCA to be that:
…in which the findings from the inventory analysis and the impact assessment are considered together or, in the case of LCI studies, the findings of the inventory analysis only. The
interpretation phase should deliver results that are consistent with the defined goal and
scope and which reach conclusions, explain limitations and provide recommendations.
(ISO 2006a)
The intentions of the interpretation phase first align goal and scope with the broad
phase components included in or excluded from the study. In explaining the results
of the study, they will largely reflect and reiterate the initial outline of the goal and
scope study phase. Qualitative consistency between the first and fourth phase
bracket and contextualize the conclusions produced by the quantitative second and
third phase.
The necessary application of human judgment introduced early and late in a
study can be seen by some as a fundamental weakness as compared to the methodological objective rigor at the core of any LCA (stages 2 and 3) or LCI (stage 2
only.) The judgements, however, are also informed and guided by other scientifically rigorous methods that serve as a backstop to drawing capricious or casual
conclusions. Walter Klopffer sites Heijungs et al.’s five separate numerical
approaches that can be applied in the interpretation phase. They include:
• Comparative analysis
• Contribution analysis or sectorial analysis
• Discernibility analysis
• Perturbation analysis
• Uncertainty analysis
5.3 Goal and Scope Definition