ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses how to select and empower the coalition to lead the additive manufacturing (AM) efforts throughout the organization. Implementing AM in an organization is a significant effort that must be carefully managed and supported. Senior leadership cannot simply act on AM initiatives within the company alone. One must create a guiding coalition of multiple stakeholders to ensure proper success of implementing AM within the company. AM insertion initiatives within companies also encounter the wrong people being placed in the wrong job role. The members of the coalition must have the AM technical skills to become credible within the organization. A key tool for creating the guiding coalition is Quality Function Deployment, which translates the voice of the customer (VOC) into the technical characteristics of a product. The VOC represents the desires and requirements of the customer at all levels, translated into real terms for consideration in the development of new products, services, and daily business conduct.