# S2 E6: Complex System Development with Kristine Barnes

- Show: [The Builder Circle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle)
- Published: 2024-02-06
- Length: 1h 13m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-06-s2-e6-complex-system-development-with-kristine-barnes
- Listen: https://rss.com/podcasts/thebuildercircle/1333017

## Summary

Kristine Barnes, a hardware engineer with experience at General Motors and in the nuclear power industry, explains how to manage complex system development. She details the importance of requirements flow-down, using DFMEA to identify and mitigate risks, and the dangers of relying on unvalidated CAE models. Barnes advises startups to focus on a single product launch before introducing variety and to balance rigorous engineering processes with the need for speed.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-06-s2-e6-complex-system-development-with-kristine-barnes#t=0) Introduction and Guest Background
- [7:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-06-s2-e6-complex-system-development-with-kristine-barnes#t=474) Requirements Flow-Down and System Mapping
- [14:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-06-s2-e6-complex-system-development-with-kristine-barnes#t=858) Managing Variation and Change Management
- [24:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-06-s2-e6-complex-system-development-with-kristine-barnes#t=1467) DFMEA and Risk Assessment Strategies
- [39:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-06-s2-e6-complex-system-development-with-kristine-barnes#t=2341) CAE Modeling Pitfalls and Validation
- [50:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-06-s2-e6-complex-system-development-with-kristine-barnes#t=3011) Common Pitfalls and Meeting Efficiency
- [1:01:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-06-s2-e6-complex-system-development-with-kristine-barnes#t=3713) Supplier Change Orders and Final Advice

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- General Motors (company)
- Society of Women Engineers (company)
- DFMEA (tool)
- CAE (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S7E19 Ryan Schoonmaker | How to Take A Structured Approach to Solving Engineering Problems](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-05-01-s7e19-ryan-schoonmaker-how-to-take-a-structured-approach-to-solving-engineering) (Being an Engineer)
- [269: Ultra-Precise Death Ray](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-12-06-269-ultra-precise-death-ray) (Embedded.fm)
- [064 - Pharma and Medical Device Development Processes, DFSS and Design Reviews with Skip Creveling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-12-21-064-pharma-and-medical-device-development-processes-dfss-and-design-reviews-with) (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)
- [DeepDive 1-on-1 Series: MAPPING THE ROUTE - Path to the Summit (20m32s)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/npi-sherpa/2026-02-25-deepdive-1-on-1-series-mapping-the-route-path-to-the-summit-20m32s) (NPI Sherpa)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-06-s2-e6-complex-system-development-with-kristine-barnes. 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 The Builder Circle.