Medical technology: project on the rocks

The challenge | An international company in the medical laboratory technology sector has a real bestseller: the TA-2029 analytical device. The product has been systematically developed and enhanced with innumerable functions over the course of several years. However, the company’s competitors have recently launched similar products that are significantly more innovative. As a result, the company’s market shares are already falling, and there is noticeable pricing pressure. To win back leadership in innovation, the company decided to develop a new series of products for analytical devices.

Two years on, the planned budget and timeframe have been exceeded, and a working prototype has not been produced in time for the original start of production.

Our joint approach | The client wants to employ a new external project manager from mm1 Consulting & Management for the project. The project manager starts by calling a complete halt to the operational activities of the failing project. Over a two-week period, he takes stock of the as-is situation, using the dimensions defined in the mm1 project check. As a result, the project manager identifies a series of problems with the project, and prioritizes these according to their level of urgency and importance. As the project starts up again, the manager uses this list of problems as a basis for drawing up and then implementing specific “improvement packages” with selected members of the project. Example: The analysis shows that essential information – or enough information – about the project has not been available. mm1 therefore designs a completely new information architecture for the project, in conjunction with the client, thereby ensuring the transparency of all project-relevant information. Three months after the start of the assignment, all of the improvement packages have been implemented, and the project is back on track with a new schedule and budget.