Sustainability criteria in concept evaluation methodology
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Blekinge tekniska högskola - Sektionen för ingenjörsvetenskap, Karlskrona |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 210 000 |
| Project duration | July 2011 - September 2013 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The overall project objective was to promote the project leader´s qualifications, and build up a long term partnership between BTH and GKN Aersospace. The research aim was to clarify how to define sustainability features in the early product innovation phases and suggest an improved concept design and evaluation methodology, including sustainability aspects during the product life cycle. The research also focused on how to clarify sustainability consequences in the choice of materials and manufacturing processes early in the product development process to avoid costly mistakes.
Results and expected effects
The project has led to normative processes and methodologies for the identification and integration of sustainability aspects in early product development phase. The approaches will be developed further in a continued research project for an implementation in GKN´s Design Practice. The project has also contributed to the professional development of the project leader. It has provided good conditions to build and expand an industrial network and created new relevant research projects and international collaborations.
Approach and implementation
The project leader divided her time between BTH and GKN to create an active collaboration between these environments. A series of workshops, case studies and meetings was held with project teams at GKN. The research results have continuously been presented at seminars and conferences, as well as in reports and in international scientific journals. The project leader has during the project been expertised trained in leadership and project management and followed a career development plan for an Associate Professorship, which was in line with the project objectives.