Archives
Employee vs. consulting project manager: Which one’s right for you?
If you’re trying to decide between hiring an employee project manager for your medical device company or bringing in a consulting project manager, you’re not alone. As the CEO of a company that provides world-class medical device project managers, I have talked to people struggling to decide between the two. While most people lean towards hiring an employee project manager, it’s important to consider both sides of the equation. There are a lot of factors to consider, and both options have their own set of pros and cons. Let’s break…
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How to foster cross-departmental communication in medical device companies
If you have ever worked in a medium or large size company, you know how the communication process can sometimes resemble a high-stakes game of ‘telephone’ where the message gets lost in translation. Different departments often continue in silo mode and don’t have very open communication with other departments. It doesn’t take a project management expert to realize how damaging that is for your projects and the company as a whole. So what do you do to break down these silos and foster cross-departmental communication? To complete a project on…
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How not to screw up getting your medical device to market on time.
Our clients have shared with us the most important questions they have regarding project management. The first one is, how do we make sure we get the medical device to market on time? That’s clearly our client’s number one priority, as medical device development (for products to sell) drives a medical device company’s top line in years to come. When a project is delayed, it can remove the product from the market completely as it may already be obsolete due to evolving market needs and advancements by competitors. When writing…
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How to become a top-level medical device project manager
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. …
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Negotiation: what needs to be done, who will do it, and by when
In any industry, effective negotiations play a pivotal role in ensuring tasks are completed on time and within budget, without compromising team dynamics. This stands doubly true for the medical device industry. Medical devices must meet strict safety and quality standards, and any mistakes or delays can be costly. On top of that, it involves multiple stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, and healthcare professionals. This article takes a deep dive into the intricacies of negotiation, providing project leaders with a roadmap to navigate the complexities of team dynamics, diverse projects, and…
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What to Do When Your Medical Device Project Falls Behind Schedule
Looming deadlines, anxious stakeholders, high pressure. Even if the project is going well, a medical device project manager is familiar with this. So what happens when that project falls behind schedule? What if, despite everything you have done to avoid project delay, your medical device shows no signs of reaching the market on time? What do you do then? We have two words for you: Proactive action. Let’s explore the steps you can take when your medical device project falls behind schedule. 1. Start by conducting a GAP Analysis To…
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Why is it better to have a project manager with experience in medical device development
When you have a GI tract issue, do you go to a gastroenterologist or a general practitioner? If you want to handle a property dispute, would you go to a real estate attorney or a general practice attorney? Now, think about your medical device project. If you want a project manager for it, would you prefer a typical project manager or a project manager with experience in the medical device industry? The math is simple. If you want the best service, you need to go to people who specialize in…
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Five Tips to Making Project Management Easier for Medical Device Companies
Project management for medical devices can often feel like an episode of “Survivor,” where teams face tough challenges (product complexity, changing market and safety regulations), compete for resources, and face critical decisions at Tribal Council(project meetings). It’s an intense, high-stakes game that requires strong leadership, technical expertise, and adaptability. With these five tips, you can make medical device project management easier and make sure everyone is playing fair. Five Tips to Making Project Management Easier for Medical Device Companies – The Survivor Edition 1. Review and improve your new product…
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How to turn a failing project around
Medical device project teams are usually multidisciplinary. The team members often include a mix of project managers, engineers, regulatory experts, and clinical researchers, to name a few. These teams are also often cross-functional, with each team member having additional roles and responsibilities beyond a particular medical device project. As a result, the project is often influenced by: If not managed well, these may lead to project failure down the line. When that happens, your best bet is to leverage the expertise and collaborative skills of these diverse team members to…
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What are some signs that a project isn’t going well?
Imagine this scenario with me. You have planned your medical device project down to the tee. You have sufficient budget and resources to take it to completion. You have risk mitigation in place, and you think your project is going along swimmingly. And then suddenly…boom! Despite everything you have done to avoid project failure, your medical device doesn’t reach the market. Or if it does, there are significant time and budget issues. You wonder what you could have done differently. Don’t let that happen to you. Here are the top…
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