Hardware Podcasts

The Agile Approach to Risk Management

The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 2 Nov 2022 · 37m

What this episode covers

Hosts Jeff Gable and Luca engineer discuss applying agile principles to risk management in embedded product development. They categorize risk into technical, product, and execution types, arguing that building feedback loops and shipping early mitigates these risks more effectively than traditional waterfall methods. The conversation highlights the high cost of engineering time versus physical prototypes, the challenges of supply chain volatility during chip shortages, and the importance of managing technical risk in safety-critical domains like medical devices and aviation.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Western Digital, Siemens, Boeing
Products
U2, SR-71

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 23m

    440: Condemned to Being Perfect

    Elecia White and Chris White host a crossover episode with Jeff Gable and Luca Ingianni of the Agile Embedded podcast to debate the application of Agile principles to embedded systems. The group discusses redefining Agile as 'risk management through feedback loops' rather than rigid Scrum, and explores the challenges of scaling these practices in large enterprises versus small teams. They also tackle specific technical debates, including the role of unit testing, the definition of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) for hardware, and the necessity of documentation in regulated industries like medical devices.

    Embedded firmwareLeadership, teams & culture
    6 chapters

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 36m

    Project Management for Product Development of Medical Devices

    Devon Campbell, founder of Prodct, and Christie Johnson, founder of Kasota Engineering, discuss project management strategies for medical device development, arguing against rigid waterfall methodologies and complex Gantt charts. They advocate for a cyclical, agile-inspired approach that trusts engineering teams, uses coarse-grained high-level planning, and prioritizes early prototyping and testing to manage risk. The conversation highlights the importance of clear communication, information flow (via Design Structure Matrix), and integrating contract manufacturing partners early in the process to avoid bottlenecks and ensure successful product delivery.

    Validation & product-market fitDesign for manufacturing & NPI
    6 chapters

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 38m

    Waterfall vs. Agile: Battle of the Product Development Methodologies

    Jon Speer, host of the Global Medical Device Podcast, interviews Devon Campbell, founder and CEO of Prodct, to debunk myths surrounding waterfall and agile methodologies in medical device development. They argue that the FDA's Design Control Guidance is often misinterpreted as mandating a rigid waterfall process, when it merely illustrates one possible approach. Campbell and Speer emphasize that successful product development relies on defined processes, traceability, and hybrid models rather than adherence to a specific named methodology. They advocate for 'documenting early and revising often' to manage the high costs of late-stage changes in electromechanical hardware.

    Validation & product-market fitDesign for manufacturing & NPI
    8 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 53m

    16: Democracy Is the Worst Form of Government

    Curtis Cole, a veteran embedded systems engineer and former VP of Engineering at Leapfrog, argues that Agile methodologies like Scrum and Test-Driven Development (TDD) are effective for embedded software when adapted to hardware constraints. He explains how user stories, sprints, and story points allow teams to manage unknown requirements and deliver incremental, usable prototypes without compromising the final product's stability. Cole emphasizes that Agile is merely a process tool; success depends on hiring skilled engineers who prioritize quality, testing, and modular design over mere speed.

    Embedded firmwareLeadership, teams & culture
    8 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 05m

    269: Ultra-Precise Death Ray (Repeat)

    Alan Cohen, a systems engineer at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of 'Prototype to Product: A Practical Guide for Getting to Market', discusses the 'eleven deadly sins' of product development. He emphasizes that detailed planning and requirements gathering are essential for managing risk and avoiding costly surprises, arguing that the cost of changes increases exponentially over time. Cohen advocates for an 'iterative waterfall' approach that balances agile iteration with structured gates, and highlights the importance of building strong, motivated teams to execute these plans effectively.

    Starting a product companyValidation & product-market fit
    9 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.