# Project Management Dysfunctions - Part 1

- Show: [The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast)
- Published: 2022-06-21
- Length: 43m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1
- Listen: https://agileembeddedpodcast.com/episodes/project-management-dysfunctions-part1-qHIPW6CS

## Summary

Jeff Gable and Luca discuss common project management dysfunctions in embedded systems, focusing on the anti-pattern of sticking to inefficient processes because teams feel they are 'close to done.' They advocate for small, continuous improvements like unit testing and hardware abstraction layers to reduce friction between hardware and software teams. The hosts also address the danger of promising fixed dates without credible estimation, explaining the project management triangle and the importance of managing uncertainty by tackling high-risk items first.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=0) Introduction: Jeff Gable and Luca on Project Management Dysfunctions
- [2:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=126) The Anti-Pattern of Inefficient Processes and Muscle-Through Mentality
- [5:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=310) Small Improvements: Unit Testing, CI, and Automation
- [7:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=474) Hardware-Software Collaboration and Board Checkout Scripts
- [13:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=819) Documentation Friction and Quality Management Systems
- [17:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=1046) War Stories: CI Adoption and Solo Engineering Privilege
- [20:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=1201) Promising Dates Without Credible Estimation
- [24:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=1444) The Project Management Triangle: Dates, Scope, and Resources
- [27:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=1651) Managing Uncertainty and Refusing to Give Spot Estimates
- [35:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-06-21-project-management-dysfunctions-part-1#t=2131) Value Conversations and the 15x Misestimation Horror Story

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Agile Embedded Podcast (other)
- Jeff Gable (other)
- Luca (other)
- The Phoenix Project (other)
- Part Unlimited (other)
- Luca.engineer (other)
- Agile Embedded Academy (other)
- Embedded AI Podcast (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [402: We Are a Lazy Species](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-02-18-402-we-are-a-lazy-species) (Embedded.fm)
- [16: Democracy Is the Worst Form of Government](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-28-16-democracy-is-the-worst-form-of-government) (Embedded.fm)
- [Occam's Engineering Razor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-09-27-occams-engineering-razor) (The Amp Hour)
- [183: Robots Having Nervous Breakdowns](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-01-11-183-robots-having-nervous-breakdowns) (Embedded.fm)
- [38: Blame the Monkey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-02-12-38-blame-the-monkey) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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