I’m my current role, during a core-team meeting I noticed conflicts between 2 team members, the MM and the EE. They were debating about why to include one component in the official BOM and discarding another one.
To understand their perspectives, I spoke with them separately in a friendly environment. The MM was frustrated because the EE didn’t provide any data or argument to discard the component that the MM suggested. This component had the same performance, was pin to pin compatible, and cheaper. On the other hand the EE explained he had bad experiences in the past with the component suggested by the MM and he refused to validate and qualify it to do not waste his time.
So… After being clear about the situation, I brought them together for a discussion and I emphasize to focus on the issue, not in personal discrepancies. Do, during the meeting, I encouraged both to consider the Project requirements, customers need and I worked with them brainstorming session.
Then, they agreed to meet with other stakeholders to get their inputs about these 2 components, they commit on a validation plan including both components. The one suggested by the EE as POR and the one suggested by the MM as alternate. They also agree to allocate 60% of the mass production volume to the EE component and 40% to the component suggested by the MM.
From my side, to ensure progress, I scheduled follow-up meetings with them to monitor their collaboration and for sure, I offered my support. Finally, both components are currently part of the product official BOM and these 2 guys improved their working relationship and communication.
