The Life Cycle Assessment Process

Life cycle costing is a technique that is used to assess environmental impacts that are linked with the product life stages from manufacturing to consumption that is from raw material acquisition to processing or manufacture, distribution, consumption, maintenance and repair (Epstein & Buhovac, 2014). It shows and some of the environmental concerns associated with the product life (Koroluk, 2012).

The objectives and scopes of the research are also defined. This chapter also describes the methodology to carry out and accomplish the objectives.

The stated focus, intent, purpose, and research questions are clearly defined by the author. The reader is able to clearly understand these aspects of the research. Additionally, the author clearly identifies the problem and research questions, and the rationale for the research being conducted. Likewise, the methodology section clearly presents the manner in which the research was conducted and why the specific method was chosen. As a result, a fellow researcher

CRITERIA: The paper provides a clear and accurate summary of the most important aspects of the research: the research question(s), hypotheses, methods, results (tied back to hypotheses), and implications/

Life Cycle Costing (LCC) is an important economic analysis used in the selection of alternatives that impact both pending and future

Read the Abstract. This is a brief summary of the research questions that are targeted and the methods that are used to answer those questions.

companies are willing to provide available data in order to assist with a life cycle

The second step included determining the aim or purpose of the concept. The article is clearly labeled “Aims” to help identify this step. The authors identify the purpose of the analysis is to clarify the meaning of the concept to establish a theoretical foundation.

The project life cycle consists of the conceptualization phase, the planning phase, the execution phase, and the termination phase.

Life cycle assessment addresses to all the three sustainability dimensions, environmental, economic, and social. LCA can track and document shifts in environmental impacts. Full characterization of product or process alternative helps decision makers or managers to make environmental trade off. Identification of environmental impacts in specific categories help Industrial decision makers analyze more specifically among different choices. LCA also can assess effects to one or more specific environmental areas at once.

With the goal to minimize the effects on the environment many companies have improved by using the LCA as a tool to consider the entire life cycle of a product (Curran 1996). LCA shows cumulative environmental impacts from all stages of the products life often including impacts not considered in more traditional analysis like raw material extraction or material transportation. This provides a comprehensive view of the true environmental tradeoffs of the product and process selection. Figure 1 illustrates the possible life cycle stages that can be considered in an LCA and the typical inputs/outputs

This article clearly identifies the aims of the research in the abstract and main text. By using aims, the results and discussion are simply interpreted

The aim of this Guide is to support and guide the work of performing a Life Cycle Check, and it is especially targeted towards SMEs. The Guide also serves as educational material for introductory courses on LCA. The user of the Guide must have a technical or chemical background or knowledge corresponding to an engineer or equal education. Some knowledge of environmental issues is recommendable, but detailed knowledge on LCA or environmental

Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is defined as a method or a financial tool to evaluate the total cost of facility ownership, which include time period and discount rate by using discount cash flows. For example: maintenance, user, reconstruction, rehabilitation, restoring, and resurfacing costs. Net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) are considered all possible cash flows and they generate financial metrics of LCCA. Life cycle cost analysis is used to evaluate energy efficiency measures (EEMs) for building design and it is only considering the capital and energy costs. A simple payback analysis is defined as “the process of determining the capital cost and energy cost savings

Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is a process of evaluating the costs that can be identified and quantified, to include all factors like acquisition, sustaining, maintaining and final disposition of the item, that can have an impact on the whole system cost during its life span. (Blanchard, 2004). All costs associated are required for an accurate analysis. These areas include research, design and development, production, energy costs, maintenance and support, system retirement and material recycling or disposal activities