A project manager can make or break your medical device project. They are responsible for ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget while meeting all the necessary quality and regulatory requirements. Without a top-level medical device project manager, the project can quickly get off track.
At Waddell Group, excellence is not just a standard; it’s a necessity. We only work with top-level project managers. Here’s what sets them apart from others in their field:
A track record of at least five successful projects under their belt.
These projects serve as invaluable learning experiences, allowing managers to refine their skills, learn from their mistakes, and develop the expertise necessary to navigate the medical device industry.
A preference for candidates with a minimum of ten years of project management experience. This extensive tenure equips managers with a deep understanding of (and the tools to deal with) the nuances and challenges inherent in project management.
They are regarded as accomplished in their field. These individuals have proven their ability to lead and manage complex projects. They understand the complexities of managing a team and have an established track record of success.
These individuals know how to get things done. They have leadership skills, a clear understanding of how to motivate people, and the ability to manage a team.
So the question is, how does one attain that level of experience and success? The answer; by having these attributes.
Attributes to become a top-level medical device project manager
1. Outstanding organizational skills
Highly organized project managers excel at keeping projects on track, prioritizing tasks effectively, and ensuring seamless workflow management. They:
- coordinate tasks so that the project runs seamlessly (or as seamlessly as possible)
- pay attention to everything – how the work is accomplished, by whom, by when.
- keep the projects’ records organized
- understand the medical device company’s Quality Management System (QMS). Paying attention to the level of detail required for the QMS is a good start toward developing your organizational skills.
2. Leadership
One of the key aspects of getting others to follow you is building strong relationships based on mutual respect and open communication. Project managers who invest time and effort in fostering positive working relationships with their team members are more likely to gain their cooperation and buy-in when proposing new ideas or strategies. This takes time and consistent effort.
Pro tip: A project manager’s job rarely includes doing specific work. However, there are often many opportunities to provide leadership (and build strong relationships) within the project that include helping others accomplish their tasks. This “help” could be:
- define a task more completely
- provide a clear direction
- facilitate a needed collaboration
- communicate the level of completion needed for a task so that there’s no bottleneck
- speed up the process by taking over a task or tasks (assigned to others with more on their plates) if you have the ability and time.
When the project manager shows they are ready to roll up their sleeves and tackle challenges alongside team members, it motivates teams to do the same and embrace suggestions with enthusiasm.
3. Exceptional communication skills
A large part of being a top-level project manager is to ensure everyone is on the same page. To do that, they need to clarify:
- The task requirements
- Where the task falls in the project schedule and its importance
- Their individual roles and responsibilities
- What they should be accomplishing, by when
For team members who rely on others to complete a task so they can start theirs, communication about what exactly they’ll receive and when is a very clear demonstration of organizational and communication skills.
Effective communication also includes communicating with management to ensure your team has all they need to perform the project successfully.
4. High Emotional Quotient(EQ)
A high EQ is very important for team cohesiveness. This means delivering what’s needed in a way that is best received by the person who needs it. It also means being clear about how they like what needs to be delivered.
A good example would be saying I need the following details delivered by Wednesday at 4 pm.
A project manager’s awareness of self, the individuals that make up the team, and their EQ help them get the most out of their teams while benefiting each member and the medical device company as a whole.
5. Industry knowledge specific to the project that you’re managing
Different projects require different types and levels of technical knowledge. A medical device may include a combination of electrical, mechanical, biomechanical, biological, software, and/or pharmaceutical components.
Education and experience in one or more of these fields are as important as project management training and experience to manage such complex projects.
Do you have experience in the medical device world as an engineer or a technical contributor?
Perhaps in one of the following areas: Designing, testing, regulatory or clinical, quality systems, or manufacturing. If yes, you will have a really good sense of the types of tasks that go into making a medical device product.
Do you have marketing experience in a medical device company? If yes, you will be familiar with the client and manufacturing sides of things.
Knowing the specifics of what you are delivering requires industry knowledge. If you don’t have the industry knowledge when you start, it’s time to get it. Reach out to us to know how.
Pro tip: A sense of humor goes a long way over having a project team work together well.
The combination of these attributes above makes it highly likely that your employer would see you as an outstanding choice for a project manager and would offer you an opportunity to begin your project management career.
Looking for a ‘right fit’ medical device project manager or a project management consultant to lead your team to success?
Our mission at Waddell Group is to provide exemplary project management consultants to clients in medical devices and other regulated industries. This gives companies access to great project leaders on an “as needed” basis, and an opportunity for gifted project leaders to work on projects outside an organization’s politics and other “non-project” related issues. If this is something you’re looking for, email us at waddellgrp.com or book a free 30 minute meeting to discuss your needs using the button below.
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