133
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. Cays, An Environmental Life Cycle Approach to Design,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63802-3_8
Chapter 8
Dashboard
Abstract Evolving LCA interfaces simplify and translate complex data for nonspecialists. Intuitive, visually compelling signals inform judgment and improve outcomes. Seeing clearly guides action.
The dashboard has evolved in its primary purpose as a protective device. Initially,
dashboards were purely physical objects, planks of wood placed between the carriage and galloping horses to block the “dashing up” of mud, rocks, water, and other
debris onto travelers. That early functionality has developed into a locus of increasingly complex, critical information about the current state of dynamic machines,
systems, and networks. Evolving hardware and software interfaces increase the
access, understanding, and effectiveness of environmental impact data. This, metaphorically, returns the dashboard to its original, protective role for those capable of
“harnessing” the flood of information in real time.
Sustainable dashboard information focusing on life cycle environmental impact
assessment guides improved decision-making. Designers familiar with and capable
of navigating this dashboard information are better positioned to make a case for
their own design solutions.
Designers can use tools to satisfy final customer demands for sustainable products and services. Individual consumers are not the target market for existing LCA
tools. BEES, ATHENA, EIE, Tally, and SolidWorks Sustainability put LCA in the
hands of designers, who translate the information and present cohesive, data-driven
options to clients.
8.1 The LCIA Dashboard
A full LCA process can answer the very important questions of the impacts a design
has on the environment. A designer reading through study conclusions or published
EPDs can potentially utilize this information to make informed judgments in a
design project or any material subcomponent of it. These documents form a framework to provide designers with qualified facts and information they can use in their
decision-making process. However, no LCA document can, by itself, provide
designers with a single explicit answer or course of action. LCI and LCIA data processed through the lens of an integrative design software interface is currently the
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. Cays, An Environmental Life Cycle Approach to Design,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63802-3_8
Chapter 8
Dashboard
Abstract Evolving LCA interfaces simplify and translate complex data for nonspecialists. Intuitive, visually compelling signals inform judgment and improve outcomes. Seeing clearly guides action.
The dashboard has evolved in its primary purpose as a protective device. Initially,
dashboards were purely physical objects, planks of wood placed between the carriage and galloping horses to block the “dashing up” of mud, rocks, water, and other
debris onto travelers. That early functionality has developed into a locus of increasingly complex, critical information about the current state of dynamic machines,
systems, and networks. Evolving hardware and software interfaces increase the
access, understanding, and effectiveness of environmental impact data. This, metaphorically, returns the dashboard to its original, protective role for those capable of
“harnessing” the flood of information in real time.
Sustainable dashboard information focusing on life cycle environmental impact
assessment guides improved decision-making. Designers familiar with and capable
of navigating this dashboard information are better positioned to make a case for
their own design solutions.
Designers can use tools to satisfy final customer demands for sustainable products and services. Individual consumers are not the target market for existing LCA
tools. BEES, ATHENA, EIE, Tally, and SolidWorks Sustainability put LCA in the
hands of designers, who translate the information and present cohesive, data-driven
options to clients.
8.1 The LCIA Dashboard
A full LCA process can answer the very important questions of the impacts a design
has on the environment. A designer reading through study conclusions or published
EPDs can potentially utilize this information to make informed judgments in a
design project or any material subcomponent of it. These documents form a framework to provide designers with qualified facts and information they can use in their
decision-making process. However, no LCA document can, by itself, provide
designers with a single explicit answer or course of action. LCI and LCIA data processed through the lens of an integrative design software interface is currently the