# S6E6 John Boezi | Universal Product Development Processes, Focusing on the One, & Consulting

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2025-02-07
- Length: 39m
- Episode: 6
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons

## Summary

John Boezi, founder of Itri PD LLC, discusses his journey as a fractional Director of Engineering, emphasizing universal product development processes across medical devices, outdoor sports, and consumer goods. He details a 'phase zero' strategy for defining problems and user needs before concept generation, and shares insights on prototyping techniques like scaled 3D printing and low-fidelity models. Boezi also explores the importance of documentation, building strong engineering teams with a growth mindset, and the challenges of managing client expectations in hardware development.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=0) Introduction: John Boezi and Itri PD LLC
- [1:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=110) Boezi's Background and Path to Engineering
- [3:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=222) The Importance of Documentation in Engineering
- [5:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=331) Universal Design Principles and Phase Zero
- [9:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=545) Defining Problems and User-Centric Design
- [11:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=711) Managing Client Expectations and Hard Goods Costs
- [13:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=799) Prototyping Tools: 3D Printing, Scale Models, and Low-Fi
- [16:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=966) Ingredients for Successful Engineering Teams
- [19:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=1156) The Role of Fractional Director of Engineering
- [25:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=1550) Bootstrapped Teams vs. Large Company Resources
- [29:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=1791) Staying Inspired and Managing Creativity
- [35:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-07-s6e6-john-boezi-universal-product-development-processes-focusing-on-the-one-cons#t=2154) Accelerating Engineering Speed and Perfectionism

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Itri PD LLC (company)
- Georgia Tech (other)
- Apple (company)
- Apple Watch (product)
- Creo (tool)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [IDology #8 - Dos and Don’ts of product development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-02-15-idology-8-dos-and-donts-of-product-development) (IDology)
- [#016: From Startup to Global Brand: Scaling Engineering at reMarkable](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-09-17-016-from-startup-to-global-brand-scaling-engineering-at-remarkable) (Coredump Sessions)
- [IDology #5 - Mindsailors industrial design process](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-03-idology-5-mindsailors-industrial-design-process) (IDology)
- [Episode 279: Making things for making things](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-10-02-episode-279-making-things-for-making-things) (Making It)
- [Product Design in the Era of Industry 4.0 w/ Kevin Bailey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-08-22-product-design-in-the-era-of-industry-4-0-w-kevin-bailey) (The Manufacturing Executive)

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