I am searching for some suggestions on a scoring system for determining significant aspects. I am using criteria such as Regulatory Requirements, Human Risk Severity, Frequency of use, and Ecological Impacts. I have noticed that some people use small number ranges (1-3) to score each aspect, some use large ranges (1-100), and some use positive and negative numbers. Sometimes these scores are added and sometimes they are multiplied.

At first I was thought I wanted to multiple the scores so that I would end up with a larger spread. I figured this might make it easier to pull out significant aspects. Now, the problem that I am struggling with is how to deal with positive aspects versus negative aspects. Do I want all of my high scores to be negative aspects and my low scores to be positive? Or do I want all of my significant aspects (positive and negative) to have high scores?

I am curious how others are determining their significant aspects. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Here you go, just follow the link

**Search Link Removed*** Must be in this format: Posting - Putting 'Search' links within posts (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=16803) - You cannot copy a search you do from the URL address bar.

Randy,

The link that you posted is not working for me. I am assuming you were sending me to another thread. Can you tell me the title of the thread?

Thanks!

You might want to start with: How to identify and evaluate environmental aspects and impacts (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=13177)

This is the Search Randy was trying to do for you: Environmental Aspects (http://Elsmar.com/Forums/search.php?do=process&titleonly=1&query=environmental+aspect*)

I have read through many of the posts regarding significant aspect determination, but I have not found anything helpful for my situation. I understand that there is no standard way of determining significant aspects and that each company must decide what works best for itself. I understand the concept of setting up a matrix for environmental aspects and I have even made a first attempt at calculating which aspects are significant. The problem is that the positive environmental aspects get buried under all of the negative aspects (even non-significant aspects). I think this is because some of my criteria are only focused on the negative such as Hazardous Material Classification.

It seems that most companies are only focused on their significant negative aspects. Should I just forget about trying to also identify our significant positive aspects such as recycling programs? Has anyone else struggled with this concept?

P.S. Forgive me if I have missed any posts that deal with this topic specifically and if so please point me in the correct direction.

You're right on and correct about the positive and negative thing and to be honest I haven't encountered too much of the positive significant aspect stuuf being documented. Why? Mainly because the desire is to improve upon the negative more than improve the positive.

You're positive SA's will most likely be the ones with the lower composite score if you use a numbering scheme/matrix, so establish a lower score limit for Positive Aspects and use the ones that come in below the line.....