What’s the issue?
Relationship management in Electronics Product Development is critical. It is an incredibly fractious union because all concerned know there are risks and even a whiff of an entity not acting in the best interests of another can disrupt the dynamics of a team. Trust is critical. The four parties usually involved are the client, electronics hardware/firmware development team, product design (enclosures), and software development if it applies. Everyone is ecstatic at the outset for the following reasons:
- The client is joyful because the project’s on its way and dreams of an imminent revenue stream seem just round the corner.
- All the developers are happy because there’s development revenue.
If expectations aren’t managed, the problem start with the first challenge. No project ever goes smoothly – fact. Something will turn out to be more challenging than first expected – a problem will need resolution. In a good development team with managed expectations, good leadership, and rigorous specifications, it will just be a bump in the road. If otherwise, trust is damaged, and once trust is lost all is lost. The only sensible path when trust is lost is a parting of the ways – very sad and upsetting for all!.
The unfortunate circumstance above doesn’t always happen at the beginning of a project – probably all for the best if it does. Unled, the engineering disciplines can adopt a silo mentality whereby they just look after their own discipline. Electronics will look after electronics, product design will look after product design, and software will look after software. Things fall between the cracks and the client is left trying to resolve who’s responsible and how to deal with whatever the problem is.
The following questions and answers help a client avoid these and other issues.
Why is the EM different?
The EM is different for two reasons:
- It has all the main functions (product design, software and firmware, and electronics design) under one roof via its sister company 3P1 Developments.
- The runs developments in accordance with the Concurrent Engineering principle, which by design and structure breaks down any barriers on day one. It forces communication.
If the EM can assist with any multi-discipline project you may have, please don’t hesitate to contact us.