Life Cycle Management, LCM
LCM can be
regarded as a philosophy rather than an operational management tool. In spite of
this, LCM is included in DANTES since the concept could be useful in structuring
and developing the environmental activities in a company. Applying life cycle
thinking in this process helps identifying significant environmental aspects to
put focus on. It is of special importance to consider the business aspects and
stakeholder involvement in the LCM methodology. LCM tends to be relatively
simple and logical on a theoretical level. However, the LCM concept has not been
fully established yet and many different definitions of LCM exist.
One core
idea of the LCM concept is that sustainability considerations for the full life
cycle of a product should be an integrated part of the decision-making process
in a company. This, however, does not mean that it is necessary to conduct a
comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
It is instead often more realistic to apply life cycle thinking or other more
qualitative evaluation principles.
The other
core idea of the LCM concept is to apply a business and strategic perspective
and management should therefore always take the lead in sustainability related
decisions. LCM means a shift of focus for a company
- from
process optimization to product chain optimization.
- from
internal processes to customer focus and business.
- from
linear to cyclic material flows.
- from
improving afterwards to innovation and product development.
- from
internal activities to involvement of external stakeholders.
United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)
and SETAC
(the scientific body that developed the LCA methodology) launched the Life Cycle
Initiative in 2002. One important aim for this initiative is to develop the LCM
concept, see Life
Cycle Initiative
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