# S1E49 The Critical Formula for Developing New Products | Jeff Christian

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2020-11-06
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 49
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/formula-for-developing-new-products/

## Summary

Jeff Christian, founder of Phoenix DeVentures, explains his 'build-test-build-test' methodology for developing new products, emphasizing the importance of rapid prototyping and tactile learning over pure theoretical design. He discusses the challenges of integrating R&D and manufacturing under one roof, noting that while it accelerates development, it requires careful management to prevent R&D engineers from disrupting validated manufacturing processes. Christian also highlights the critical need for realistic testing phantoms in medical device development, such as simulating blood flow and vessel tortuosity for catheters, and shares his strategy for building multi-talented engineering teams through specific brainstorming techniques.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=0) Introduction: Jeff Christian and Phoenix DeVentures
- [1:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=79) Career Origins: Machinist to Manufacturing Engineer
- [7:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=442) German Manufacturing Training and Education Systems
- [13:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=809) Motivating Teams and Leadership Strategies
- [19:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=1169) Advances in Medical Devices: Stents and Ablation
- [24:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=1498) Phoenix DeVentures: Integrating R&D and Manufacturing
- [38:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=2306) Testing Challenges: Phantoms and Catheter Validation
- [43:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=2632) Building Engineering Teams: Multi-talented vs. Specialized
- [45:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=2717) Brainstorming Techniques: 'What Would Happen If'
- [54:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian#t=3298) The Edisonian Approach: Build, Test, Learn

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Phoenix DeVentures (company)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)
- testfixturedesign.com (other)
- Dyson (company)
- Edison (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Project Management for Product Development of Medical Devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-10-27-project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [149: How to Professionally Prototype your Invention Idea](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-11-09-149-how-to-professionally-prototype-your-invention-idea) (Product Startup)
- [Interview with Eric Ries - Transorted Testing Tachydidaxy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-08-21-interview-with-eric-ries-transorted-testing-tachydidaxy) (The Amp Hour)
- [#461: Why Manufacturing is Part of Product Development with Mike Dolphin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2026-06-22-461-why-manufacturing-is-part-of-product-development-with-mike-dolphin) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [IDology #7 - Tips on outsourcing R&D and product design work](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work) (IDology)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.