LCA Technology study plan
LCA Technology · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
LCA Methodology Foundations (ISO 14040/14044 framework, goal and scope, functional unit, system boundary, allocation)
Map the four ISO 14040/14044 phases to a real product system and label where each phase begins and ends
Draft a goal-and-scope statement that specifies intended application, audience, functional unit, reference flow, and system boundary
Distinguish foreground and background processes and justify at least three boundary exclusions
Explain allocation hierarchy (avoid, physical, economic) and apply one approach to a multi-output process
Your checkpoint
A one-page goal-and-scope document for a chosen product, with functional unit, reference flow, system boundary diagram, and allocation rule stated.
LCA Methodology Foundations (ISO 14040/14044 framework, goal and scope, functional unit, system boundary, allocation) & Life Cycle Inventory Data and Data Sources (foreground/background data, databases, datasets, data quality and uncertainty)
Build a process flow diagram with unit processes, intermediate flows, elementary flows, and product flows
Select background datasets for at least five key processes and record database, geography, technology, and time coverage
Score data quality using pedigree-matrix criteria and document uncertainty sources for each dataset
Identify the three inventory flows most likely to dominate impact results and justify the selection
Your checkpoint
A life cycle inventory table with at least 15 flows, linked datasets, data-quality scores, and an uncertainty register listing sources and assumed distributions.
Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods and Characterization (midpoint/endpoint, characterization factors, LCIA method selection)
Compare midpoint and endpoint approaches and select an LCIA method appropriate to the study's goal
Explain characterization factors for at least two impact categories and trace one factor to its source
Apply characterization, normalization, and weighting in sequence and interpret the effect of each step
Identify category indicators where regionalized or temporal factors would materially change results
Your checkpoint
An LCIA results table for the product across at least four midpoint categories, with a written justification of method choice and a note on normalization/weighting decisions.
LCA Software and Modeling Tools (model building, flows, parameters, scenarios, versioning, interoperability)
Build a parameterized model in an LCA software tool with at least three input parameters and one calculated parameter
Create two scenarios by varying parameters and compare results side by side
Export the model and results in a standard exchange format and re-import to verify round-trip fidelity
Document model version, software version, and parameter sets so the model can be rebuilt
Your checkpoint
A working parameterized model file plus a scenario comparison table and a version log recording software version, parameter values, and export format.
Interpretation, Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis (contribution analysis, scenario analysis, statistical methods, reporting) & Data Interoperability, Standards and Exchange Formats (ecoSpold, ILCD, openLCA JSON-LD, EPD formats, data exchange workflows)
Perform contribution analysis by process and by impact category and rank the top five contributors
Run a one-at-a-time sensitivity analysis on at least three parameters and report result ranges
Interpret uncertainty using Monte Carlo or analytical propagation and state confidence intervals
Map ecoSpold, ILCD, and openLCA JSON-LD structures and identify which fields carry metadata, flows, and characterization factors
Your checkpoint
An interpretation report with contribution charts, sensitivity tornado diagram, uncertainty ranges, and a data-exchange mapping table for one dataset converted between two formats.
Data Interoperability, Standards and Exchange Formats (ecoSpold, ILCD, openLCA JSON-LD, EPD formats, data exchange workflows) & Critical Review, Verification and Quality Assurance (review types, documentation, reproducibility, transparency)
Execute a full data-exchange workflow: export from one tool, validate against the target schema, and import into another tool
Identify and resolve at least three interoperability defects such as missing units, unmapped flows, or lost metadata
Compare critical review types (internal, external, panel) and select the appropriate type for a given study
Assemble a review documentation package that supports reproducibility and transparency
Your checkpoint
A data-exchange test report documenting the conversion workflow, defects found and fixed, and a review-readiness checklist with chosen review type and rationale.
Application Contexts and Emerging Practice (EPD, product carbon footprint, circularity, digital product passports, automation/APIs) & Interpretation, Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis (contribution analysis, scenario analysis, statistical methods, reporting)
Draft an EPD-style summary with declared unit, system boundary, and core environmental indicators
Calculate a product carbon footprint consistent with a recognized specification and state its boundary and assumptions
Describe how digital product passports and API-driven automation change LCA data workflows
Update the interpretation with scenario analysis for circularity or end-of-life options
Your checkpoint
A two-page EPD/PCR-aligned summary and product carbon footprint result for the chosen product, including circularity scenario results and automation notes.
LCA Methodology Foundations (ISO 14040/14044 framework, goal and scope, functional unit, system boundary, allocation) & Life Cycle Inventory Data and Data Sources (foreground/background data, databases, datasets, data quality and uncertainty) & Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods and Characterization (midpoint/endpoint, characterization factors, LCIA method selection) & LCA Software and Modeling Tools (model building, flows, parameters, scenarios, versioning, interoperability) & Interpretation, Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis (contribution analysis, scenario analysis, statistical methods, reporting) & Data Interoperability, Standards and Exchange Formats (ecoSpold, ILCD, openLCA JSON-LD, EPD formats, data exchange workflows) & Critical Review, Verification and Quality Assurance (review types, documentation, reproducibility, transparency) & Application Contexts and Emerging Practice (EPD, product carbon footprint, circularity, digital product passports, automation/APIs)
Integrate all prior deliverables into a single coherent LCA report following ISO 14044 structure
Audit the report against a self-generated checklist covering goal, scope, inventory, LCIA, interpretation, and review
Re-run the full model from a clean state to confirm reproducibility and record any deviations
Complete two timed practice sets weighted by domain percentage and review every missed item
Your checkpoint
A complete integrated LCA report with reproducibility log and a scored practice-exam review sheet showing domain-level accuracy and remediation notes.
Milestones
Week 4: Goal-and-scope, inventory, LCIA, and parameterized model deliverables are complete; the model can be rebuilt from documentation alone and exported/re-imported without data loss.
Week 6: Interpretation report and data-exchange test report are complete; the candidate can explain contribution, sensitivity, uncertainty, and format mapping without notes.
Week 8: Integrated report passes the self-audit checklist, the model reproduces prior results from a clean state, and practice-set accuracy is at least 75% overall with no domain below 60%.