LEADS-II. A knowledge-based system for ranking DfE-Options

The paper describes the design of an expert system developed as a pilot test-case for the LEADS-II research project. The main goal of the LEADS-II project is the development of an expert system which enables product developers to assess the potential of different Design for Environment-Options (DfE-Options). The concern of managers and designers practising environmental product development is which combination of options for improvement, leads to the best balance between environmental, economical, and other product characteristics. Currently available quantitative methods for product analysis require considerable expertise and time to perform, as well as to interpret. This poses major limitations for application in the product development process. In addition to the problems with analysis of well described products, effective product development often calls for decisions in early phases of the development process where important characteristics are not always known and many different options have to be evaluated. With the LEADS-II knowledge-based system one wants to meet the need for (product specific) guidelines with regard to reducing the environmental load without the need for elaborate data collection or environmental expertise. The system evaluates products from an environmental point of view and leaves the responsibility for weighing the environmental priorities against other criteria to the product developer