A lean project management framework for additive manufacturing

Abstract

This study aims to present a lean project management framework for the additive manufacturing industry (AM). This framework will contain critical elements of project management (PM) and will intend to add value to an organisation by outlining a body of knowledge, processes, skills, tools, and techniques. The PM framework will further aim to improve the efficiency and performance within an AM organisation. The PM framework will be developed from a lean perspective and focusses on the core idea of maximising customer value while minimising waste. The fundamental purpose is to improve productivity, improve the quality of products, to make production more flexible and to substantially reduce waste within an AM environment. The aforementioned will be defined within the main constraints of time, cost, scope, quality and good customer relationships. The study will focus on the primary question, that if AM is identified as a lean manufacturing technology, how do AM organisations manage their design and development projects. The research will focus on the development of a framework, using the Delphi method, for the implementation of lean principles to AM project management.