Agile Project Management for Sustainable Medical Technology
Our client is a leading global manufacturer of medical technology and pharmaceutical products, with approximately 60,000 employees and annual revenue of about 9 billion euros. The company faces the challenge of developing a sustainable and future-proof product portfolio for a volatile and highly regulated market.
Flexibility and Collaboration for Sustainable Solutions
Medical devices are subject to strict and constantly changing regulatory frameworks. At the same time, pressure is mounting due to increasing sustainability requirements, which are influenced by political, strategic, and customer-specific factors. As a result, goals and requirements may change multiple times over the course of a project.
To successfully navigate this dynamic, the company needed greater flexibility, iterative planning, and close collaboration across departments.
3DSE supported the sustainability initiative in three phases:
- Definition of Project Goals: Working with management, we formulated clear, measurable goals that provided direction and served as a basis for prioritization. These goals were adjusted iteratively as new insights emerged, ensuring that they remained relevant and realistic at all times.
- Establishing the Agile Framework: Developing a customized framework, supplemented by best practices from other industries.
- Implementation and Coaching: Tailored training and ongoing coaching for team members and stakeholders. 3DSE provided support not only in terms of methodology but also in terms of content when integrating sustainability aspects into product development—a crucial lever for giving substance to the goals.
Over 100 concrete measures for sustainable product development
The results were quick to materialize: Within the first three months, the team had already identified the key levers for reducing CO₂ emissions. This led to over 100 concrete measures, which are now being implemented step by step. The project has fostered a self-assured team that continues to work independently today—driven by a clear focus on sustainability and an agile approach that enables flexibility and innovation.
The key factors for success were the early involvement of stakeholders, the cross-functional composition of the team, and the practical support provided during the initial phase. Particularly valuable was the integration of agile methodology with technical sustainability expertise, which fostered clarity, trust, and speed.
