# #359: Project Management in MedTech

- Show: [Global Medical Device Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast)
- Published: 2024-04-04
- Length: 1h 02m
- Episode: 359
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-04-04-359-project-management-in-medtech
- Listen: https://podcast.greenlight.guru/episode/359-project-management-in-medtech

## Summary

Perry Parendo, founder of Perry Solutions, discusses project management strategies for MedTech, drawing on his background in defense and automotive industries. He advocates for blending methodologies like Agile, Waterfall, and Toyota’s set-based design rather than adhering to rigid frameworks. Parendo emphasizes the critical use of Monte Carlo simulations to manage technical, schedule, and cost risks, arguing that MedTech companies often neglect project risk in favor of compliance. He also highlights the importance of leadership, understanding team motivations, and focusing on incremental improvements to drive successful product development.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Perry Parendo and the State of MedTech Project Management
2. Compliance vs. Project Risk: The MedTech Blind Spot
3. Gold Plating and Prioritizing Patient Benefit
4. Monte Carlo Simulation for Technical, Schedule, and Cost Risk
5. Tools and Techniques: Minitab, Crystal Ball, and Triangular Distributions
6. Managing Uncertainty and Buffers in Project Schedules
7. The Fuzzy Front End and Leadership in Project Execution
8. Team Motivation, Shared Resources, and Cross-Project Dependencies
9. Blending Methodologies: Agile, Waterfall, and Toyota Practices

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Greenlight Guru (company)
- Perry Solutions (company)
- General Motors (company)
- Boeing (company)
- Minitab (tool)
- Crystal Ball (tool)
- Microsoft Project (tool)
- ISO 14971 (other)
- FDA (other)
- Toyota (company)
- Design News (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)
- [S2E31 How to Lead Engineers & Engineering Managers – Chris McKenzie](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie) (Being an Engineer)
- [126 - Combination Products Collaboration, Turnover on MedTech/Pharma Project Teams, and Lessons from working with Intel's CEO with Mat Stratton, Founder of Coalition Ltd](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-03-06-126-combination-products-collaboration-turnover-on-medtech-pharma-project-teams) (Let's Combinate)
- [111 - 7 Books to level up for MedTech, BioTech and Combination Product Professionals with Subhi Saadeh](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2023-11-22-111-7-books-to-level-up-for-medtech-biotech-and-combination-product-professional) (Let's Combinate)
- [S7E6 Bob Hankins | Medical Device Engineering Leadership & Working With the FDA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-02-06-s7e6-bob-hankins-medical-device-engineering-leadership-working-with-the-fda) (Being an Engineer)

## 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/2024-04-04-359-project-management-in-medtech. 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.