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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #241181
Title: A Treatise on the Application of Life Cycle Management Principles in Agricultural & Biological Engineering

Author
item DUNMADE, ISRAEL - Mount Royal College
item Rosentrater, Kurt

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/30/2009
Publication Date: 6/21/2009
Citation: Dunmade, I., Rosentrater, K.A. 2009. A Treatise on the Application of Life Cycle Management Principles in Agricultural & Biological Engineering. 2009 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Reno NV, June 21-24, 2009.

Interpretive Summary: Life Cycle Management (LCM) is a systematic approach, mindset and culture that considers economic, social, and environmental factors among other factors in the decision making process throughout various business or organizational decisions that affect both inputs and outputs of a product or service life cycle. It is a product, process, or activity management system aimed at minimizing environmental and socio-economic burdens associated with an organization’s product or process during its entire life cycle and value chain. LCM’s application is gaining wider acceptance both in the corporate and governmental organizations as an approach to reduce ecological footprints and to improve the sustainability of human activities. But where and how can it be used in agricultural engineering applications? This study highlights the potential areas of life cycle management application in agricultural and biological engineering and how it can be utilized. The study revealed that life cycle management tools such as design for environment and life cycle analysis can be used to evaluate the environmental impacts of – and to improve the products, equipment, and structures produced by agricultural and biological engineers as well as the processes used to generate them.

Technical Abstract: Life Cycle Management (LCM) is a systematic approach, mindset and culture that considers economic, social, and environmental factors among other factors in the decision making process throughout various business or organizational decisions that affect both inputs and outputs of a product or service life cycle. It is a product, process, or activity management system aimed at minimizing environmental and socio-economic burdens associated with an organization’s product or process during its entire life cycle and value chain. LCM’s application is gaining wider acceptance both in the corporate and governmental organizations as an approach to reduce ecological footprints and to improve the sustainability of human activities. But where and how can it be used in agricultural engineering applications? This study highlights the potential areas of life cycle management application in agricultural and biological engineering and how it can be utilized. The study revealed that life cycle management tools such as design for environment and life cycle analysis can be used to evaluate the environmental impacts of – and to improve the products, equipment, and structures produced by agricultural and biological engineers as well as the processes used to generate them.