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Exploring the Integration of DSM and LCA Tools to Improve Design for Sustainability


 One of the many challenges that engineering designers face today is a deficiency in practical and value-adding design methodologies that consider sustainability. Typically, design for sustainability (DfS) principles that address environmental and social impacts are not prioritized at the same level as economic, physical, and functional needs. Additionally, many newly-introduced DfS methodologies are fragmented and underdeveloped. Furthermore, many methods are catered towards specific niche product domains or corporate workflows, making the application of these methods across a wide range of problems and products a challenge. By investigating the tools and methods available for DfS and identifying their application and limitations, this study explores the integration of design structure matrices (DSMs) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools to improve DfS. The expectation is that an integrated DSM and LCA will allow designers to explore how a single design change may propagate through to specific changes in environmental and social impacts. The initial development of a full DSM and LCA is demonstrated through two case studies of a reusable water bottle and a micro-pump, showing which components, materials, and processes have the most significant environmental impacts. The results illustrate the value in applying this approach, which may be suitable across a wide range of existing products in an effort to improve DfS.