98
Each analysis draws on different statistical methods to quantitatively evaluate
and qualify the soundness of an interpretation (Heijungs et al. 2005).
It is rare for designers to run formal iterative LCA exercises in parallel to the
primarily visual design process. Heuristic approaches, traditionally favored by the
design profession, place a majority of trust in experience rather than on detailed
analysis of discreet elements. Designers are not typically required to check and
provide support for each decision made throughout their iterative workflow using
statistical methods. When intentionally integrated into each visual iteration of the
workflow, however, the product of the four indispensable phases in a full and proper
LCA deepens the awareness of the environmental impacts of each design decision.
Assessing the impacts that each material specification or required manufacturing
process will have on the broader ecosystem is impossible without a formal protocol
to structure the assessment and remains technically daunting even with one. The
lack of consistent and reliable data covering all aspects of a finished product or
system is only one component that increases uncertainty in an assessment. Stating
this upfront is better than ignoring all information (imperfect) that would provide
insight (maybe only marginally improved) to charting a path forward through a
design project.
5.3.14 What Type of Final Report Is Required for the Study
and How Is It to Be Formatted?
LCA professionals typically communicate results from formal LCA studies to a
target audience through written reports. The structure of the report logically follows
the structure of the study and covers all four phases of an LCA: goal and scope, life
cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. In addition to an
Executive Summary at the start of the report, four other sections are also typically
included: Introduction, Methodology, Conclusions, and References. The structure
of a report provides a clear outline describing all the key features and approaches
used in the study. Beyond giving insight into the structure of the study, it is also useful to assess the similarities and differences between it and another or several
other LCAs.
For LCA reports intended for internal consumption by the sponsor of the study,
ISO 14044 does not specify required content except that:
The results and conclusions… shall be completely and accurately reported without bias…The
results, data, methods, assumptions and limitations shall be transparent and presented in
sufficient detail to allow the reader to comprehend the complexities and trade-offs inherent
in the LCA.
Final LCA reports take numerous forms and can include more or fewer details and
qualifications depending on the final intents and purposes. An LCA intended for
wider publication to anyone other than the study’s commissioner or one that makes
5 Life Cycle Assessment
Each analysis draws on different statistical methods to quantitatively evaluate
and qualify the soundness of an interpretation (Heijungs et al. 2005).
It is rare for designers to run formal iterative LCA exercises in parallel to the
primarily visual design process. Heuristic approaches, traditionally favored by the
design profession, place a majority of trust in experience rather than on detailed
analysis of discreet elements. Designers are not typically required to check and
provide support for each decision made throughout their iterative workflow using
statistical methods. When intentionally integrated into each visual iteration of the
workflow, however, the product of the four indispensable phases in a full and proper
LCA deepens the awareness of the environmental impacts of each design decision.
Assessing the impacts that each material specification or required manufacturing
process will have on the broader ecosystem is impossible without a formal protocol
to structure the assessment and remains technically daunting even with one. The
lack of consistent and reliable data covering all aspects of a finished product or
system is only one component that increases uncertainty in an assessment. Stating
this upfront is better than ignoring all information (imperfect) that would provide
insight (maybe only marginally improved) to charting a path forward through a
design project.
5.3.14 What Type of Final Report Is Required for the Study
and How Is It to Be Formatted?
LCA professionals typically communicate results from formal LCA studies to a
target audience through written reports. The structure of the report logically follows
the structure of the study and covers all four phases of an LCA: goal and scope, life
cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. In addition to an
Executive Summary at the start of the report, four other sections are also typically
included: Introduction, Methodology, Conclusions, and References. The structure
of a report provides a clear outline describing all the key features and approaches
used in the study. Beyond giving insight into the structure of the study, it is also useful to assess the similarities and differences between it and another or several
other LCAs.
For LCA reports intended for internal consumption by the sponsor of the study,
ISO 14044 does not specify required content except that:
The results and conclusions… shall be completely and accurately reported without bias…The
results, data, methods, assumptions and limitations shall be transparent and presented in
sufficient detail to allow the reader to comprehend the complexities and trade-offs inherent
in the LCA.
Final LCA reports take numerous forms and can include more or fewer details and
qualifications depending on the final intents and purposes. An LCA intended for
wider publication to anyone other than the study’s commissioner or one that makes
5 Life Cycle Assessment