# Ep. 9 - Time Management

- Show: [Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast)
- Published: 2023-11-23
- Length: 57m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management
- Listen: http://opulo.io

## Summary

Stephen Hawes and Lucian JFAR of Opulo discuss time management strategies for small hardware teams, contrasting Stephen's rigid Notion-based planning with Lucian's reactive, conversation-driven approach. They cover prioritization frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix, the importance of preventing burnout by recognizing personal limits, and the shift from individual contributor to manager. The conversation also details their production planning methods, including using Shopify data to forecast labor needs and managing tech debt in their custom 'Gundam' testing software.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management#t=0) Introduction: Time Management Challenges for Small Teams
- [3:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management#t=202) Prioritization Frameworks: Eisenhower Matrix and Deep Work
- [9:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management#t=581) Personal Systems: Stephen's Notion vs. Lucian's Conversations
- [16:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management#t=963) Burnout Prevention and Work-Life Energy
- [26:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management#t=1579) Managing the Transition from IC to Manager
- [33:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management#t=1982) Handling Tech Debt and Refactoring
- [39:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management#t=2394) Production Planning and Labor Allocation
- [47:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management#t=2866) Post-Launch Priorities and Community Feedback

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Opulo (company)
- Loom PMP (other)
- Notion (tool)
- Gundam (product)
- Shopify (other)
- LCSC (company)
- SMT (other)
- Hades (product)
- Super Giant Games (company)
- No Clip (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 081: Let’s just get through the next 10 minutes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-07-29-episode-081-lets-just-get-through-the-next-10-minutes) (Making It)
- [Mini Episode | Time Management](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-17-mini-episode-time-management) (Being an Engineer)
- [526: Maybe It Doesn't Really Matter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-05-22-526-maybe-it-doesnt-really-matter) (Making It)
- [Episode 304: Harm Reduction](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-04-23-episode-304-harm-reduction) (Making It)
- [Is This A Show?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-07-02-is-this-a-show) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management. 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 Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast.