For the mini-SIM, I opted to have one alternative vendor. This choice was the more financially favorable option and delayed the project less; however, there was more risk with having only one alternative vendor. Yet, I justified taking on this…   Read more»

In smaller projects, quality control may be a constant process rather than having an entire team dedicated to that sector. For instance, for smaller projects, each member of the team can review the work of other team members, serving as…   Read more»

I agree with some of the above responses. It is possible to cultivate a strong, collaborative team environment even while using a lower budget. A lot of team-building activities do not require a high budget, just time and effort. It…   Read more»

I think it is a good practice to hire a blend of both particular field experts and versatile employees. In order for a project to have success, the team needs to be able to adapt and adjust to particular changes….   Read more»

I agree with many of the other responses regarding the fact that the project planning/initiation stage is the most important aspect. If this stage is rushed or not completed properly, then the rest of the project will fail. I’d also…   Read more»

While not talked about much in the course, one aspect of medical device development (especially for devices that require clinical trials) that needs to be monitored is documentation. There are so many different forms of documentation including protocols, informed consent…   Read more»

In addition to the questions mentioned above, other key questions that can be asked include: When did the issue first occur? Where does the issue occur? Who is involved or affected? How frequently does the issue occur? What are the…   Read more»

I agree with the above statements, especially with the fact that the first step in finding a solution is to find the root cause of the schedule variance. However, it may be hard to retroactively fix this issue and get…   Read more»

I think the success of a project depends on the initial goals set out during project initiation/planning. If the outcomes of the project meet these goals, then the project is successful. If the project is unable to meet the aforementioned…   Read more»

Personally, I prefer communication via Teams as it is more convenient to have quick, simple chats in comparison to email. For a quick question, teams tends to generate a much quicker response than email threads. In terms of email management,…   Read more»

Navigating dynamics with multiple project managers can be challenging but manageable with clear communication, coordination, and a structured approach. The best way to overcome the potential challenges of having multiple managers is to establish clear roles among the project managers….   Read more»

Risks are not necessarily harmful, as long as they are properly assessed and discussed within a team. Shortening a project timeline may incur some risk, but discussions should be had to determine if the benefits far outweigh the risks. The…   Read more»

One challenge that project managers face is the fact that they may need to confront or address team members when work is not being performed on time or to the level that is expected. These conversations can often be awkward…   Read more»

As part of a project team in the past, the biggest issue we had with project planning was not setting clear team member roles/expectations. Because of this, there were many delays in getting work completed. Team members were unsure of…   Read more»

In industry, finances control everything and the stakeholders are the primary means by which a project is funded. Thus, stakeholders hold a significant amount of power. If stakeholders want a project to be completed in a specific manner or on…   Read more»

In general, estimates of budgets are usually obtained from thorough market research. Even if a product is not exactly the same as previous products, a rough estimate can be obtained by looking at factors such as market size, market share,…   Read more»

I recently worked on a Capstone Project where we had to design and construct a medical device. After completing the project, the biggest lesson I learned was to be more proactive. Instead of waiting for due dates/deadlines, it would have…   Read more»

In my experience, poor project planning leads to 2 issues: oversights and delays. When a project is not properly organized from the onset, work is often not delegated properly. Because of this, delays often occur. For instance, if the DID…   Read more»

In general, I do not think there is a major difference between a project manager with an academic background and one with more professional experience. An individual can develop expertise on a given subject through both academics and real-world experiences….   Read more»

Some individuals are born or inherit traits that are favorable to being a leader. However, not all of these individuals use these traits to lead. Sometimes you meet an individual who is a strong communicator, but they do not use…   Read more»