Briefing
This project, what called HS series, is about engineering projector which adopt DLP solution. It is also a brand-new platform with new defined electric function and optic engine that enable the product projecting a wide span of brightness level, from 13,000 to 20,000 lumen. It takes around 10 months to enter MP stage.
Key challenge
The project has two challenges : optics engine and electric function.
As assigned tech leader is a senior optic engine designer, optics function is well developed.
Yet, due to electric function comprises of hardware and firmware, plus firmware should base on solid hardware to develop, it is complicate and full of uncertainty in development.
For certs' registration, hardware design must be fixed when submit the application, this project underwent 3 times of DVT.
Because the design team, PCB factory and SMT line locate at three different sites, to shorten the schedule by reducing transportation time, a small team took business trip to SMT line so they can cooperate with manufacture site and design team closely, quick check the issue and solution's effectiveness.
Though the hardware structure is fixed in the 3rd DVT pivot run, firmware development wasn't mature yet, there are hundreds of bugs. To hit the target date of PVT, we reached a consensus with the client that team must solve all A level bugs, and level B bugs should be addressed in PVT stage. However, engineers assigned for this project ain't enough. At that time, it is one of two critical projects and man power were deployed to both, either one has shortage of manpower. To get higher priority among projects, we had been expediting the progress as fast as we can since the 1st DVT stage. Thus, the executive deployed 5 more engineers from other project to ours with understanding that this project has higher possibility that can be completed sooner.
Finally, this project proceeded to MP that earlier than the compete project for 4 months.
Summary
In tech company, there are always plenty of project are going, human resource usually is the bottleneck. To increase priority, PM need to persuade the executive by proving the certain project has higher value or lower uncertainty to complete. This project is the case that team earn attention by leading the schedule compared to others.
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