The Circular Digital Cockpit: Towards an actionable framework for life cycle circularity assessment and decision

Abstract

Digital solutions such as IoT, machine learning, big data, and simulation platforms are increasingly integrated into industrial practices but are not fully leveraged for enhancing circularity in the value chain. To address this, the Circular Digital Cockpit (CDC) framework is proposed to aid manufacturers and public authorities in transitioning towards circularity. The CDC is structured to analyze and improve organizational activities, incorporating Data Science, Digital Enterprise Architecture, and Circular Economy Strategies. It comprises two main parts. The first, "Measure, Understand, Prioritize", focuses on transforming lifecycle data into circularity indicators suitable for various organizational roles, like product and process managers. This helps in prioritizing improvement objectives both individually and organization-wide. The second part, “Act – Imagine, Simulate, Decide, Deploy –, Monitor”, guides each actor in developing and implementing actions aimed at circularity and sustainability goals. This involves assembling a global action plan and employing the Theory of Change methodology to assess and refine these actions based on their impact on circularity and sustainability. The CDC's adaptability and potential in enhancing circular practices across various industries and territorial levels are tested in diverse scenarios, including the remanufacturing of heavy vehicles, the maintenance of medical devices, and the management of bio-waste and construction waste.