Great question! Project management tools definitely make a huge difference in planning and managing projects. Programs like Microsoft Project, Asana, or even tools like Jira can help with everything from scheduling to tracking progress. Some of these tools can automatically…   Read more»

You’re right, scope creep is common in biomedical projects. To manage it, it’s crucial to set a clear project scope upfront and have a process for evaluating changes. Regular check ins and clear change management help keep things focused. Take…   Read more»

You make a really good point. In projects where the stakes are high, it’s so important to show that spending a bit more upfront on contingency planning isn’t a waste; it’s smart risk management. A good way to get that…   Read more»

That’s a tough situation but a pretty realistic one. At first, the excitement of working on something you’re passionate about can really drive you, but when you realize there’s no long term growth, it definitely becomes harder to stay motivated….   Read more»

Bartleby’s story really shows how motivation can disappear when someone feels disconnected at work. At first, he seemed like a great employee, quiet, reliable, and super productive. But then out of nowhere, he just started saying “I prefer not to”…   Read more»

Companies outsource clinical trials for multiple reasons, 1) Cost reduction: The company does not have the proper infrastructure to conduct the trials independently. The cost of hiring a team of good research scientists would cost tons of money, instead of…   Read more»

When a project fails it can be frustrating, but it also presents a valuable learning opportunity for the entire team. One of the most important lessons a project team should take away is the importance of clear communication and realistic…   Read more»

I feel like the most important concept I learned in this course is how to address and solve problems within a project. One of the most enjoyable parts of this course has been completing the project simulations. A huge part…   Read more»

Something to point out about failure in projects is that failed projects can be incredibly demotivating for a team. Many individuals can feel disappointed by negative results after the time and effort they placed into attempting to succeed. Failure does…   Read more»

To address the aspect of speed in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine program, a great topic to consider was Operation Warp Speed. This project had a goal of accelerating the COVID-19 vaccine development, and saw success primarily because clinical trial…   Read more»

I agree with everyone else. It is important to not rush the project process. Each and every step needs the proper amount of time to ensure proper documentation is covered, quality is ensured after appropriate testing, and other key factors….   Read more»

I think it is important to maintain proper communication and be transparent of the current issues. A project managemer should approach leadership with a plan on how the team will mitigate the challenge. A plan shows that the team is…   Read more»

Some things to consider when choosing a vendor are quality, timeliness, compliance to regulatory standards, communication, prioritization for patient safety, cost, and more. A vendor needs to understand exactly what the company is requesting and be able to deliver on…   Read more»

I think this is a great point of discussion. I find myself asking this a lot. I think both roles require a different skillset. Engineers/scientists require more technical knowledge and working with different softwares. Project managers require more poeple skills,…   Read more»

This is a tough question to answer. To provide encouragement on professional growth, a goal is necessary. So without any scope of a promotion or development, it would be difficult to stay motivated. Moving up in a company is more…   Read more»

Something I’ve seen managers do a lot is have regular 1:1s with people and then recurring team meetings where people can bring up any concerns that they have. Something important is for the managers to create a welcoming environment where…   Read more»

This mini-sim showed great importance of procurement management and risk management. I think it is better to have a backup plan and vendors so in case something goes wronge, you are prepared. I see in many cases where a supplier…   Read more»

I think it is fair for companies to encourage their suppliers to comply with more ethical standards. For example, using more ethically sourced materials. However, if the suppliers disagree, companies should have other suppliers in mind that they can use….   Read more»

In my opinion, I think the 3 knowledge areas that are most important are quality management, risk management, and integration management. Quality management is a very critical area and procurement doesn’t matter if they aren’t of high quality. Quality regulations…   Read more»

Job satisfaction is certainly important, but I think it isn’t the sole factor in retaining employees or boosting productivity. Many people remain in roles that may not be their ideal job because the compensation is competitive or the team environment…   Read more»