All HL Topics

At its most basic, this is the piecing together of components or systems in order to give rise to a more complex system or product. From a corporate strategy perspective, this methodology means that the leadership level will determine the overall goals, but the workforce will assist in developing the mechanisms and ideas to meet that goal.

Five principles that facilitate a holistic approach to sustainable design: Cyclic; Solar; Safe; Efficient; Social.

Disconnecting two trends so that one no longer depends on the other. Through the act of decoupling (using resources more productively and redesigning production systems), it is technically possible to deliver the same or equivalent goods and services with lower environmental impact while maintaining social and equity benefits.

Individuals or groups that champion environmental issues within organizations.

Individuals or groups that enthusiastically adopt environmentally friendly practices as consumers.

The labelling of products to demonstrate that they are better for the environment than other products.

Individuals or groups that actively resent talk of environmental protection.

Individuals or groups that actively demonstrate on environmental issues.

The labelling of products to show how energy efficient they are. The label displays information in four categories: the product's details; Energy classification that shows the product's electrical consumption; Measurements relating to consumption, efficiency and capacity etc.; Noise emitted from the product when in use.

The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.

The practice of consciously purchasing products and services produced in a way that minimises social and environmental damage, while avoiding those that have a negative impact on society and the environment.

A social and economic order and ideology that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever greater amounts.

Involves large scale energy generation from non-exhaustive sources for international, national or large community use. Examples include hydroelectric power, wind, wave and geothermal energy generation.

Involves small scale energy generation sustainability from non-exhaustive sources for individual, household or small community use. Examples include roof mounted solar power or water heating panels, combined solar and wind turbine generated power for illuminated traffic signs, and wearable thermoelectric materials.

Collections of individuals who hold a similar viewpoint on a particular topic, for example the environment, who take action to promote positive change to meet their goals.

Everyone involved in making, selling, buying or handling electronic equipment takes responsibility for minimizing environmental impact of the equipment at all stages in the life cycle.

A modernised electrical grid that uses analogue or digital information and communications technology to gather and act on information (such as behaviours of suppliers and consumers) in an automated fashion to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics and sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity. They can be national or international. International grids allow electricity generated in one country to be used in another.

A company report that focusses on four aspects of performance: Economic; Environmental; Social; and Governance.

The consumption of goods and services that have minimal environmental impact, promote social equity and economically viable, whilst meeting basic human needs worldwide.

Designing physical objects and services in accordance with the principles of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Laws that require manufacturers to take-back packaging and products at the end of use, requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for their disposal. Reasons for this legislation include to encourage the design of products and packaging that are easily and efficiently recycled, and to reduce waste.

At its most basic, this is the breaking down of a system into component parts. From a corporate strategy perspective, this means that the leadership level will determine the goals and how each department and/or individual employees will contribute to meet those goals.

An expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational success: economic, environmental and social.

A design strategy that focusses on three broad environmental categories - materials, energy, and pollution/waste.

A design philosophy that aims to eliminate waste from the production, use and disposal of a product. It centres on products which are made to be made again.

A design philosophy that considers the environmental effects of a product all of the way from manufacture to disposal.

The process of using Internet-based socializing and communication techniques to create, operate and manage activism of any type.

The assessment of the effect a product has on the environment through five stages of its life: pre-production; production; distribution (including packaging, utilization, and disposal).

The product is made from compostable, organic materials or from minerals that are recycled in a continous loop.

The product in use consumes only renewable energy that is cyclic and safe.

All releases to air, water, land or space are "food" for other systems.

Requiring 90% less energy, materials and water than equivalent products in 1990.

Its manufacture and use support basic human rights and natural justice.

A product from a known source (organization). The name of the organization can also serve as a brand.

Where a person has a favourite supplier and prefers to buy products from them rather than from other suppliers.

A pricing strategy where a product is positioned in the market based on the price of similar products. The company will position the product by pricing it lower, similar or higher than similar products.

A form of self-regulation for a company that centres on the development of goals related to three areas: economic; social; and environmental.

A pricing strategy where a company will add a percentage to the total costs incurred for a product (production, design, distribution etc.)

A pricing strategy where a company will set the price based on the demand for the product.

The study and interpretation of the political, economic, social and technological events and trends that influence a business, industry or market.

The reliance on the knowledge and skills of an expert in the operation of the product.

Developing products that are similar to an existing new product.

The use of consumer reports, newspaper, magazines, encyclopaedias, manufacturers information, etc. to conduct research.

Finding new applications for existing products, thereby opening up new markets.

Increasing sales to existing customers or finding new customers for an existing product.

The systematic gathering of data about individuals or organisations using statistical analysis and techniques to support decision making.

A broad way of categorizing the kinds of market the company is aiming for.

Markets divide into smaller segments where the purchasers have similar characteristics and tastes.

Four factors identified through market research that provide the designer with an accurate brief of market requirements. The 4 Ps: Product; Place; Price; and Promotion.

A tool to quickly compare a product to others in the market in a graphical representation.

Being first to market with a new innovation.

The creation of new, modified or updated products aimed mainly at a company's existing customers.

Increasing sales from new products or markets.

A group of products having common classification criteria. Members normally have many common parts and assemblies.

Where the different products from the same product range are positioned at different price points.

The process of setting uniform characteristics for a particular product, system or service.

The ways that can be used to communicate information about a product or system to consumers and other interested parties.

Where a product is priced to give the impression that it is paying less. For example, pricing at €1.99 instead of €2.

An intellectual property mark that protects a product's appearance. This refers to the features of the product's shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation which is new and distinctive.

Obtaining users' responses through questionnaires/surveys and interviews.

The observation of people using a product and collection of comments from people who have used a product.

Allow designers to identify and research issues related to the intended purchaser.

Allow designers to identify and research issues related to the location of where products will be marketed.

Using more than one corporate strategy to get a competitive edge.

Engage consumers in purchasing add-ons to already purchased trigger products.

Concerned with getting the product from the factory to the consumer.

The ways that can be used to communicate information about a product or system to consumers and other interested parties.

Increasing sales from new products and markets.

A symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product, and distinguishing them from other products.

Products that attract the consumer on their own merit.

A system of manufacturing that uses computers to integrate the processing of production, business and manufacturing in order to create more efficient production lines.

The most efficient way of designing and producing a product from the manufacturer's point of view.

A situation where a company keeps a small stock of components (or complete items) or ones that take a long time to make, just in case of a rush order.

A situation where a firm does not allocate space to the storage of components or completed items, but instead orders them (or manufactures them) when required. Large storage areas are not needed and items that are not ordered are not made.

A culture of continuous improvement originating in Japan and considered an important aspect of an organization's long-term strategy.

The time between the initiation and the execution of a process.

A long-term production strategy that considers product and process design as an ongoing activity. It focusses on continual feedback and incremental improvement.

This covers all activities from design to documentation. It also includes the regulation of quality of raw materials, assemblies, products and components, services related to production, and management and inspection processes.

Involved in development systems to ensure that products or services are designed and produced to meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations.

A quality control tool that uses statistical methods to ensure a process is operating at its most efficient.

The relationship between what something, for example, a product, is worth and the cash amount spent on it.

A lean production management tool used to analyse current and future processes for the production of a product through to delivery to the customer.

The review of processes in a workflow in order to identify potential improvements.