A questionnaire-based methodology to assist non-experts in selecting sustainable engineering analysis methods and software tools Kamyar Raoufi * , Addison K. Wisthoff, Bryony L. DuPont, Karl R. Haapala School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA article info Article history: Received 21 July 2018 Received in revised form 21 March 2019 Accepted 2 May 2019 Available online 5 May 2019 Keywords: Sustainable engineering analysis (SEA) Life cycle assessment (LCA) Sustainable product design Sustainable manufacturing Decision making abstract Currently, there are limited techniques for non-experts to learn about the strengths and weaknesses of different methods and software tools developed by industry and academia for assessing each aspect of product sustainability performance. Moreover, the variety of available methods and software tools makes it challenging for non-experts to identify the most appropriate analysis option. This research aims to assist non-experts in selecting the most appropriate set of analysis methods and software tools prior to conducting sustainable engineering analysis (SEA) based on life cycle data accessible to them. A questionnaire-based ranking methodology is developed for non-experts, which reduces their time in- vestment in examining the myriad SEA methods and tools and avoids non-value added effort. The questionnaire uses an interaction matrix within a general mathematical modeling approach to map a given set of methods and tools to user responses. Relevance weights are integrated within the matrix to rank available environmental, economic, and social assessment methods and tools for user consideration. To demonstrate the application of the methodology, a pilot project was conducted to improve the design of a hexacopter. Results were compared using lower- and higher-fidelity software tools to demonstrate the effectiveness of the relevance weights assigned to each tool. Assigned weights were determined to enable differentiation between low and high fidelity methods and tools, but as new methods and tools enter into use, these weights must be updated. The process of selecting SEA methods and software gives insight into the utility of the interaction matrix implemented within the tool developed in this research. Moreover, non-experts can compare various design alternatives using the selected analysis methods and software tools to arrive at a solution with improved sustainability performance. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction If organizations are to pursue sustainable manufacturing, they will need to assess the sustainability performance of their activities (Gunasekaran and Spalanzani, 2012). This can be achieved by evaluating the results obtained from sustainable engineering analysis (SEA) (Hutchins et al., 2009), which encompass environ- mental, economic, and social impacts (Elkington, 1997). Due to the relevance of each of the three aspects of SEA to improving the design and manufacturing of consumer products (Ramani et al., 2010), which are generally sold to a myriad of customers in large volumes, these are the focal point for applying this research. A single product affects workers across the supply chain, end con- sumers, and waste management personnel that interact with the product at its end of life (EOL) (Kremer et al., 2016). Social analyses can be conducted at any point in the product's life cycle, with im- pacts being determined using data acquired from the manufacturer or from publicly available information (Jørgensen et al., 2007). Similar to its social impact, the economic impact of a product originates from high volume production. Consumer products often have low margins, which can affect a product's production viability or lead to lower worker wages or use of less skilled labor in developing nations (Fisher, 1997). Some of these effects can be quantified using economic impact analysis. Finally, the production, use, and disposal of large quantities of consumer products can have a significant impact on the natural environment (Duflou et al., 2012). The environmental impacts of the way products are made, used, and disposed can be quantified using life cycle assessment (LCA) (Umeda et al., 2012). As LCA has evolved, relevant methods and software tools have emerged and developed, as well. Sections 2.1 and 2.2 discuss several methods and software tools for * Corresponding author. E-mail address: raoufik@oregonstate.edu (K. Raoufi). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Cleaner Production journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.016 0959-6526/© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Journal of Cleaner Production 229 (2019) 528e541