# IDology #6 - Product development costs analysis

- Show: [IDology](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology)
- Published: 2023-01-18
- Length: 1h 07m
- Episode: 6
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindsailors/episodes/IDology-6---Product-development-costs-analysis-e1tknhp

## Summary

Mikołaj Wiewióra, a senior designer at the industrial design studio MindSailors, explains how the firm structures budgets for product development, alternating between fixed-price conceptual phases and time-and-materials execution for mechanical and prototyping stages. He details the headcount and timeline for each stage, noting that complex products with kinematics or embedded electronics require larger teams and longer durations, while simpler enclosures are faster. Wiewióra emphasizes that prototyping iterations are essential to avoid costly tooling errors, contrasting a rapid six-month market launch with a stalled nine-year project caused by poor client-side project management. The discussion highlights that successful budgeting requires treating the design studio as an integrated partner with swift communication rather than an external vendor.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis#t=1) Introduction: Budgeting models (Fixed vs. Time & Materials)
- [5:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis#t=302) Project Complexity: Simple enclosures vs. complex kinematics
- [12:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis#t=726) Predesign Phase: Translating vague briefs into specifications
- [17:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis#t=1039) Conceptual Design: Team size (3-6 people) and deliverables
- [26:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis#t=1607) Mechanical Design & Prototyping: Iteration, vendors, and timelines
- [37:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis#t=2263) Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Vendor negotiation and tweaks
- [45:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis#t=2728) Case Studies: 6-month launch vs. 9-year stalled project
- [51:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis#t=3087) Production Supervision: Quality assurance and audits
- [56:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-18-idology-6-product-development-costs-analysis#t=3373) Key Lessons: Prototyping value, marketing timing, and communication

## Topics

- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MindSailors (company)
- Mikołaj Wiewióra (other)
- Voytek Hołysz (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How Long Does It Take to Develop a New Electronic Product?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2022-12-28-how-long-does-it-take-to-develop-a-new-electronic-product) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [164: The 3 Prototyping Phases for New Product Development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-23-164-the-3-prototyping-phases-for-new-product-development) (Product Startup)
- [6 Facts About Product Development That Hardware Startups Underestimate with Dave Millman of SalesDev.Global](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-06-6-facts-about-product-development-that-hardware-startups-underestimate-with-dave) (Predictable Designs 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)
- [269: Ultra-Precise Death Ray (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-02-269-ultra-precise-death-ray-repeat) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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