Comparing BoMs

When using BoM Analyzer in Sustainability mode, if you have more than one BoM open, you can view a comparison of Sustainability indicators for each BoM. You can compare up to 10 BoMs, and choose any of them as the baseline for comparison.

The BoM comparison shows the Embodied Energy and Climate Change indicators for each BoM, at Summary level and for each lifecycle phase, with the percentage change for each BoM relative to the baseline.

Note: BoM comparison is not available in Restricted Substances mode.
To compare BoMs, they must be open in the same BoM Analyzer window.
Tip: You can copy a BoM, right-click the header tab to rename it, and then edit it for comparison.

Optionally, you can run a Sustainability analysis on individual BoMs before comparing them. See Viewing a Sustainability analysis.

If you haven't already analyzed a BoM, it will be fully analyzed when you run the comparison, and you can view the results in the BoM display area after you close the comparison window.

  1. Ensure that the BoMs you want to compare are open in the same window (it doesn't matter which one is selected), and click Compare BoMs in the BoM Analyzer toolbar.
    Tip: You can also compare BoMs while viewing the results of a Sustainability analysis for an individual BoM.
  2. Select the BoMs that you want to include in the comparison, choose one of them as the baseline, and click Compare.
  3. Use the Indicator menu to choose an indicator and lifecycle phase to view.
    1. Hover over any bar or segment of the graph to see the BoM item or lifecycle phase that it represents, the indicator value, and (where applicable) the percentage that it contributes to the total amount shown in the graph.
    2. The key (to the right of the graph) shows the items that make a significant contribution to the total amount shown in the graph. Click an item in the key to remove it from the graph, or click again to reinstate it.
    3. Hover over a percentage comparison bar to see the increase or decrease relative to the baseline BoM.
    4. When viewing an indicator at Summary level: Click in a bar chart to view a detailed analysis for that BoM only, or click Back to return to your original analysis.
    5. Click View as graph or View as table to change the display format of the results.
  4. To change the baseline or choose different BoMs to compare, click the Selected BoMs panel (at the top left), and change your selection.
  5. Optional: To save a copy of the graph or table you are viewing:
    OptionDescription
    When viewing as a graph Hover over the graph, then click Download plot as a png at the top right of the graph.
    When viewing as a table Select Controls and then Export to CSV.
    The image or CSV file is saved to your Downloads folder.

To view the Sustainability analysis for an individual BoM, or check for any warnings that apply to the analysis, close the Compare BoMs window.

For each BoM, you can view the Messages tab in the Information panel to see warnings and information about missing data, values that could not be calculated, or any other limitations that apply to the results for that BoM.

For more information about the Sustainability indicators and how they are calculated for each BoM, see Sustainability analysis and reporting.