Using data to determine design for environment product goals

Successfully integrating design for environment features within product design is largely dependent upon the ability to anticipate customer requirements and to properly communicate these as part of the company's overall business strategies. At Sun Microsystems, we use customer data and practical analysis techniques as the basis for our design for environment (DFE) work. Discussed are how Sun's three DFE focus areas were derived: energy efficiency, design for recovery, reuse, recycling, and reducing substances of concern; how they have varying levels of importance for different product engineers, and enable them to develop solutions that complement their product deliverables.