# Project Management for Product Development of Medical Devices

- Show: [Global Medical Device Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast)
- Published: 2021-10-27
- Length: 36m
- Episode: 233
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-10-27-project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices
- Listen: https://podcast.greenlight.guru/episode/project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices

## Summary

Devon Campbell, founder of Prodct, and Christie Johnson, founder of Kasota Engineering, discuss project management strategies for medical device development, arguing against rigid waterfall methodologies and complex Gantt charts. They advocate for a cyclical, agile-inspired approach that trusts engineering teams, uses coarse-grained high-level planning, and prioritizes early prototyping and testing to manage risk. The conversation highlights the importance of clear communication, information flow (via Design Structure Matrix), and integrating contract manufacturing partners early in the process to avoid bottlenecks and ensure successful product delivery.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-10-27-project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices#t=0) Introduction: Devon Campbell and Christie Johnson on Medical Device Project Management
- [3:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-10-27-project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices#t=189) The Trap of Gantt Charts and Waterfall Methodologies
- [9:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-10-27-project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices#t=574) Alternative Approaches: Coarse Planning and Team Autonomy
- [14:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-10-27-project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices#t=871) Managing Pivots, Deadlines, and Contract Manufacturing Transfers
- [20:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-10-27-project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices#t=1253) Cyclical Development, Early Prototyping, and DSM Frameworks
- [33:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-10-27-project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices#t=2008) Prodct's Role in Supporting Early-Stage Medical Device Startups

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Greenlight Guru (company)
- Prodct (company)
- Kasota Engineering (company)
- Green Light Guru Academy (other)
- FDA (other)
- MIT (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [184 - Program Management in Pharma & Devices: Phase Gates, Risk Planning, and Project FMEAs Explained](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-04-16-184-program-management-in-pharma-devices-phase-gates-risk-planning-and-project-f) (Let's Combinate)
- [269: Ultra-Precise Death Ray (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-02-269-ultra-precise-death-ray-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [Dakota Welker | User Needs, Design Inputs, Verification & Validation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-25-dakota-welker-user-needs-design-inputs-verification-validation) (Being an Engineer)
- [S1E49 The Critical Formula for Developing New Products | Jeff Christian](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian) (Being an Engineer)
- [269: Ultra-Precise Death Ray](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-12-06-269-ultra-precise-death-ray) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-10-27-project-management-for-product-development-of-medical-devices. 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 Global Medical Device Podcast.