Sustainability Planning Platform Using QFD, TRIZ, and Life Cycle Analysis

Sustainability planning is the foundation of successful Sustainability Management Systems (SMS). Several improvements to existing frameworks are needed to facilitate sustainability planning: systematic and more objective... [ view full abstract ]

Sustainability planning is the foundation of successful Sustainability Management Systems (SMS). Several improvements to existing frameworks are needed to facilitate sustainability planning: systematic and more objective method for identifying and prioritizing sustainability impacts, aspects, objectives, actions, and tasks; method for life cycle thinking; and coherent set of tools that can facilitate each stage of sustainability planning. This study develops and applies a sustainability planning platform that aims to address said improvements by integrating decision analysis and production systems design tools namely, Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), and Abridged Life Cycle Assessment (ALCA). The platform was applied in a gold jewelry manufacturing company in Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines, a center for gold jewelry manufacturing in the country. Method Adoption Model (MAM) was conducted to evaluate users' perception of the platform's effectivity in achieving its objectives and likelihood of usage. Results indicate that the four most important of fifteen sustainability actions include educating and training workers on best practices; optimizing moulding process; promoting product take back; and optimizing heating technique. Twenty-two sustainability tasks and their relationship with sustainability actions were identified. Preliminary MAM results suggest that proposed platform is likely to be used by target users including academics and consultants in the field of sustainability. The intention to use the platform was influenced by its perceived usefulness, i.e., how well it achieves its objectives. MAM results also indicate that respondents perceive the platform to be effective in addressing the deficiencies of existing frameworks and exhibits the desired characteristics of a sustainability planning framework. The desired characteristics include: 1) allows possibility of certification; 2) integrates the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of the organization; 3) involves continual improvement; 4) exhibits structural clarity; 5) involves participative decision making among internal and external stakeholders; 6) allows ease of information handling; and 7) considers individual characteristics of companies.