Strategic Symbiosis: The Role of a Technical Manager in Advancing Additive Manufacturing Collaboration

Introduction

As the landscape of manufacturing continues to evolve with technological advancements, the role of a Technical Manager in Additive Manufacturing becomes increasingly pivotal. Collaboration in the daily work of such a professional is paramount to the success of product development processes and strategic initiatives.

In this dynamic setting, the Technical Manager's primary function hinges on their ability to work closely with the Functional Manager for R&D Workshops Technical Development, aligning both expertise and resources to fulfill the company's product objectives and to sculpt a forward-looking strategy that will propel the organization into the future. This synergy is crucial in ensuring that innovations are not just conceptualized but are brought to fruition through the effective adoption and integration of Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques.

Day-to-day collaboration for the Technical Manager encompasses a spectrum of activities, from exploring new possibilities in AM to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and upskilling within the team's competencies. The role extends across various domains, necessitating an intimate connection with the R&D Workshops Technical Development team, which splits its focus between providing hands-on technical support for the development and maintenance of new vehicles, and the advancement of the organization's AM capabilities.

Through a harmonious blend of leadership and collaboration, the Technical Manager ensures the seamless operation and evolution of a first-class AM facility that stands ready to serve the broader organizational ecosystem. By fostering cross-disciplinary partnerships and guiding collective efforts, the Technical Manager becomes a linchpin in driving innovation, operational excellence, and ultimately, the wholesale adoption of AM throughout the company's manufacturing processes.

KanBo: When, Why and Where to deploy as a Collaboration tool

What is KanBo?

KanBo is a comprehensive work coordination platform designed to facilitate effective collaboration, task management, and real-time visualization of workflows within organizations. It leverages a hierarchical structure that includes Workspaces, Folders, Spaces, and Cards, which aid in organizing and prioritizing tasks and projects.

Why?

KanBo provides a centralized system for managing projects, enabling teams to communicate seamlessly, share documents, and track progress in real-time. Its deep integration with Microsoft products such as SharePoint and Office 365 enhances user experience, allowing for familiar tools and environment.

When?

KanBo is particularly beneficial when complex projects require detailed planning and execution, where team collaboration is essential, or when there's a need for transparency across the different stages of project management. It's also useful when privacy and data residency are concerns, as it offers a hybrid environment that can accommodate varying data management needs.

Where?

KanBo can be employed both in cloud-based environments and on-premises, depending on the needs of the organization. This flexibility allows it to be accessed from virtually anywhere, provided there’s internet connectivity for cloud features or internal network access for on-premises use.

Why should a Technical Manager in Additive Manufacturing use KanBo as a Collaboration tool?

As a Technical Manager in Additive Manufacturing, where projects often involve intricate design and production processes, KanBo can provide the following benefits:

- Project Visualization: KanBo's card and space system offers visual management of additive manufacturing projects, making it easier to see the entire workflow and track progress from design to production.

- Task Management: KanBo enables detailed task breakdown which is critical in manufacturing where precise processes need to be followed and monitored.

- Real-Time Collaboration: KanBo's chat, comment, and mention features ensure communication lines are open among designers, engineers, and production staff, facilitating rapid issue resolution and decision-making.

- Document Control: Attach and manage technical documents, specifications, and designs directly within tasks, ensuring all team members access the latest versions.

- Workflow Customization: Customize workflows to mirror the specific stages of additive manufacturing processes, enabling the creation of templates for repetitive tasks and quality checks.

- Secure Environment: Control access to sensitive project data and intellectual property through robust permission settings, ensuring only authorized personnel view or edit certain documents or project details.

- Integration: Deep integration with Microsoft products supports a seamless transition between different software tools often used in technical project management, such as CAD tools within the Office 365 suite.

In summary, KanBo provides a flexible and customizable platform that supports the unique collaborative requirements of additive manufacturing, allowing a Technical Manager to streamline operations, maintain high levels of precision, and foster team alignment throughout the lifecycle of manufacturing projects.

How to work with KanBo as a Collaboration tool

As a Technical Manager in Additive Manufacturing, using KanBo to enhance collaboration involves leveraging its various features to organize, track, and manage work amongst your team. Below is a step-by-step guide to utilize KanBo within your team.

Getting Started with KanBo

1. Initial Configuration:

- Log in to KanBo using your credentials.

- Familiarize yourself with the user interface and settings.

2. Workspaces Setup:

- Create a new Workspace dedicated to Additive Manufacturing projects.

- Define access levels and invite relevant team members.

3. Folder Organization:

- Within your Workspace, create Folders based on project phases or categories (e.g., Design, Prototyping, Testing).

- This will help you categorize and prioritize projects effectively.

4. Creating Spaces:

- Make dedicated Spaces within Folders for each project or team.

- Assign project leads and team members as responsible persons.

5. Customizing Cards:

- For each task, create a Card and fill it with details like objectives, deadlines, and resources.

- Assign a Responsible Person to oversee the task's completion.

- Add Co-Workers who will assist.

Collaboration Tactics using KanBo

1. Real-time Communication:

- Use the Chat feature to discuss projects and make decisions quickly.

- Streamline information exchange, eliminating lengthy email threads.

2. Utilizing the Activity Stream:

- Keep track of all updates across Cards and Spaces.

- Use the Activity Stream to monitor project progress and team member contributions.

3. Efficient Task Management:

- Track project milestones using Card presence indicators.

- Ensure tasks are progressing and address roadblocks promptly.

4. Mentoring and Feedback:

- Use Comments to provide feedback or mentor team members.

- Leverage the Mention feature to highlight specific tasks or issues to individuals.

5. Documentation Management:

- Attach relevant files and documents directly to Cards.

- Keep all project-related information in one easily accessible place.

6. Monitor Availability:

- Check User presence indicators to know who is available for immediate assistance.

- Respect team members' time and availability by understanding their workload.

7. Project and Task Delegation:

- Assign tasks and ensure that responsibilities are clear.

- Use Responsible Person and Co-Worker assignments to delegate work effectively.

8. Meetings and Discussions:

- Schedule regular check-in meetings and discussions based on KanBo data.

- Use KanBo insights for data-driven decision-making and project adjustments.

9. Review and Improve:

- Use KanBo’s reporting to analyze project completion and team performance.

- Identify areas of improvement and applaud successes.

10. Integrate with Other Tools:

- Link KanBo with other tools and platforms used by the team.

- Ensure data consistency and workflow integration across systems.

Remember, effective collaboration using KanBo relies not just on tool proficiency but also on building a culture of open communication, trust, and shared vision. Frequently revisit your collaboration strategies, incorporating team feedback to refine and improve the collaborative processes.

Glossary and terms

Here's a glossary of terms commonly used in the context of project management and collaboration platforms like KanBo, particularly in relation to Additive Manufacturing and Technical Management roles:

1. Additive Manufacturing (AM): A process of creating objects by layering materials, typically using 3D printing technology. It allows complex shapes to be created more flexibly and efficiently than with traditional manufacturing methods.

2. Technical Manager: A professional responsible for overseeing and managing the technical aspects of projects and operations, particularly those relating to design, engineering, and production within a manufacturing environment.

3. Functional Manager: A role focused on managing specific business functions, such as research and development, ensuring that departmental activities align with the strategic goals of the organization.

4. KanBo: A digital work coordination and collaboration platform designed to manage tasks, projects, and workflows within organizations, with integration in Microsoft ecosystems.

5. Workspace: The broadest category in KanBo's hierarchy, used to represent distinct areas such as departments, teams, or major project groupings.

6. Folder: Under workspaces, folders are used to categorize related spaces, providing an additional level of organization.

7. Space: A subdivision within a workspace or folder representing a specific project, topic, or area of focus. It serves as a collaborative environment for team members.

8. Card: The most granular element in KanBo, representing individual tasks or actionable items within spaces. Cards contain detailed information, to-do lists, and attached documents.

9. Activity Stream: A real-time log in KanBo that displays all activities, updates, and interactions within the platform.

10. Comment: A feature within a card that allows team members to communicate, update, or provide additional information relevant to the task.

11. Chat: A direct messaging tool within a space for real-time communication among team members.

12. User Presence Indicator: A visual cue that shows the availability and online status of users in KanBo.

13. Card Presence Indicator: An indicator that shows who is currently viewing a card or when it was last visited by specific users.

14. Mention: A feature that allows users to tag colleagues in comments or discussions, using the "@" symbol, to draw their attention to specific items or issues.

15. Responsible Person: The individual assigned to oversee and ensure the completion of a task within a card. There can be only one responsible person per card.

16. Co-Worker: Team members who are actively involved in the performance of tasks and are assigned to specific cards within KanBo.

Understanding these terms is instrumental for professionals like Technical Managers in Additive Manufacturing to effectively utilize collaboration tools and platforms to manage projects and foster team communication.