A method of evaluating and validating additive manufacturing operations includes generating a multidimensional space defined by a plurality of bounds, each of the bounds being defined on a distinct parameter of an additive manufacturing process and each of the bounds being directly related to the occurrence of a vertical lack of fusion flaw, each of the parameters being a dimension in a multi-dimensional coordinate system, determining a coordinate position of at least one additive manufacturing operation within the multi-dimensional coordinate system, and categorizing the operation as free of vertical lack of fusion flaws when the coordinate position is within the multi-dimensional space.