Tech tools have changed the game in project management. What apps or software do you use to keep your projects running smoothly? Are there any features that you find super useful? How do you choose the right tools, and how would you get your team to use them effectively?
To preface, I am still an undergraduate student, but I am somewhat familiar with various project management tools. Thus, I thought I would weigh in here. Specifically, in medical device development, I have noticed that when choosing the right project management tool, compliance is a really influential factor. Tools that are typically simpler to use, such as Jira or Asana, which are particularly great for task tracking, may not be the best choice when working under FDA design control requirements. One that I am specifically thinking about is 21 CFR 820.30 (applicable to class III and II medical devices). As their requirements are part of the Quality System Regulation for medical devices, documentation is critical, as auditors and the FDA will carefully look for a trail that links design inputs, design outputs, specific test results for verification/validation, and risk analysis. Thus, having traceability features is crucial in such circumstances. For this reason, I know MasterControl or Jira (after some configuration) can help bolster your documentation/organization.
For example, automated traceability matrices on these platforms can be leveraged, which saves a significant amount of time, as you would have to create these on other platforms manually. This essentially allows for auto-updates as requirements/tasks are completed. Ultimately, this saves time and results in audits and design reviews with a cleaner and more organized appearance.
In terms of starting to become proficient with these types of software, what would people recommend? Do you think starting on more lightweight tools (e.g., Trello) and transitioning to compliance-heavy platforms would be a smoother transition? Or starting straight away on compliance-heavy platforms?
