Boundaries matter
The edge of an assessment can change the story it tells.
Draw the system
A lifecycle boundary describes the processes included in an assessment. Extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use and recovery may occur in different places. Excluding one stage can remove a trade-off that matters.
Explain exclusions
Data gaps do not disappear when a process is excluded. Record what is missing and assess whether it could change the result. Transparency makes the analysis easier to review and improve.
Read the conclusion
A conclusion should remain within the boundary of the analysis. A finding about one material or one stage is not a claim about every environmental impact. Keep the language aligned with the evidence.