Short answer
Adopt a standardized framework to clearly define and communicate sustainability objectives throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Procedia CIRP (2023)
- Method
- Systematic Literature Review and Hermeneutic Analysis
- Sample
- 174 publications
- Evidence
- Strong effect
A systematic review reveals a lack of consistent definition for sustainability in product engineering, necessitating a framework to guide research and practice. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Procedia CIRP. Using Systematic literature review and hermeneutic analysis with 174 publications, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Adopt a standardized framework to clearly define and communicate sustainability objectives throughout the product development lifecycle.
Defining Sustainability in Product Engineering: A Framework for Clarity
A systematic review reveals a lack of consistent definition for sustainability in product engineering, necessitating a framework to guide research and practice.
Procedia CIRP · 2023
Key Findings
- 01There is a significant variation in how sustainability is understood and applied within product engineering literature.
- 02A structured framework is needed to ensure clarity and consistency in defining sustainability goals.
- 03Stakeholder requirements for sustainable products are increasing, demanding more precise approaches.
Application
Design takeaway
Adopt a standardized framework to clearly define and communicate sustainability objectives throughout the product development lifecycle.
How to apply
Use the proposed explication framework to establish clear, measurable, and agreed-upon sustainability definitions for your next design project.
Project actions
- 01When discussing sustainability in your design project, clearly state your definition and the aspects you are focusing on.
- 02Use the framework's guiding questions to ensure you've considered various facets of sustainability.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive systematic review methodology.
- +Development of a practical framework for application.
Limitations
The framework might be too general for highly specialized product areas. The review focused on academic literature, potentially missing industry-specific nuances.
Reliability & validity
The systematic review process and hermeneutic analysis aim for reliability. Validity is supported by the comprehensive search strategy and the development of a framework intended for broad applicability.
Think critically
How might the diverse interpretations of sustainability identified in this review lead to conflicting design decisions or 'greenwashing' in practice?
Design Principles
"Explicitly define and operationalize sustainability criteria to ensure consistent and effective integration into product design and engineering."
Without a shared understanding, efforts to design sustainable products can be fragmented and less effective. This research provides a structured approach to define and communicate sustainability goals, ensuring alignment across teams and stakeholders.
What This Means for Your Design
Researchers found that people talk about 'sustainability' in product design in many different ways. They created a guide to help everyone agree on what it means for their projects.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when justifying your approach to defining and measuring sustainability within your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the critical need for a consistent understanding of sustainability in product engineering, noting that 'there is a significant variation in how sustainability is understood and applied within product engineering literature.' To address this, the authors propose an explication framework. In my design project, I will adopt a similar structured approach to define and operationalize my sustainability objectives, ensuring clarity and alignment with stakeholder expectations.
Source
Procedia CIRP
Towards a Consistent Understanding of Sustainability in Product Engineering – A Systematic Literature Review and Explication Framework
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about defining sustainability in product engineering: a framework for clarity?
- Adopt a standardized framework to clearly define and communicate sustainability objectives throughout the product development lifecycle. Evidence: Procedia CIRP (2023).
- Why does "Defining Sustainability in Product Engineering: A Framework for Clarity" matter for design?
- Without a shared understanding, efforts to design sustainable products can be fragmented and less effective. This research provides a structured approach to define and communicate sustainability goals, ensuring alignment across teams and stakeholders.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Adopt a standardized framework to clearly define and communicate sustainability objectives throughout the product development lifecycle.
- What were the main findings?
- There is a significant variation in how sustainability is understood and applied within product engineering literature.. A structured framework is needed to ensure clarity and consistency in defining sustainability goals.. Stakeholder requirements for sustainable products are increasing, demanding more precise approaches.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Literature Review and Hermeneutic Analysis with 174 publications.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Procedia CIRP.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Use the proposed explication framework to establish clear, measurable, and agreed-upon sustainability definitions for your next design project.
- What are the limitations?
- The framework's effectiveness may vary depending on the specific industry or product type. The analysis is based on published literature, which may not capture all industry practices.