In what perspective may the analysis be used?
Tools may be snapshots in time, they may consider the whole time frame wherein a product or
project has an impact. The result of the analysis may then be used in retro- or prospective
ways. The former is accounting/monitoring, keeping record of progress, which can be useful
when searching for preferable changes in for example production, behaviour or policies and to
indicate sustainable development. Prospective approaches, on the other hand, are seeking to
predict future situations and can thereby facilitate comparison between different new
products, plans, etc. (SETAC, 1997).