This paper deals with the state-of-the-art of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a core of Life Cycle Design (LCD) of a product. Background of LCA is given, as well as some modern approaches to LCA studies. The paper focuses on the practical methods in LCA including the list of main widespread softwares and some other computer tools with the basic descriptions of their abilities. Finally, a short survey of critics of LCA methods is presented, as well as some proposals for improving the method.