China Manufacturing Decoded

Why Hardware Projects Stall: Avoiding 'Failure to Launch'

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In episode 236, we explore why so many hardware products never make it to market, even when the idea is strong, the team is ready, and the budget is there.

In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, your host Adrian is joined by Paul Adams from Agilian, part of the Sofeast Group, to break down the real reasons hardware projects stall before they even start, and what you can do to avoid it.

They go beyond theory and share practical lessons from real projects, including costly mistakes around missing specifications, bad assumptions, and external pressure to move too fast.

You’ll learn:

  • Why missing product requirements quietly kill projects
  • The difference between having an idea and being ready to start
  • How assumptions compound into expensive errors
  • The hidden risks in BOMs, components, and compliance
  • Real-world case studies where projects stalled, and why
  • A practical 10-point checklist to validate your readiness before development

    • The goal of this episode is to help you avoid delays, wasted budget, and failed launches when you're launching your product.

    🎧 Listen now and make sure your next product is built on solid ground.

     

    TIMESTAMPS
    • 00:03 — Intro & episode overview
    • 01:01 — The “failure to launch” problem in hardware
    • 02:01 — It’s not the team: real root causes
    • 03:02 — Assumptions & missing information (core issue)
    • 07:00 — Red flags: missing requirements & BOM
    • 11:57 — What “ready to start” actually means
    • 12:45 — NPI process & phase gates explained
    • 14:22 — Specs as a living document (market changes
    • 15:05 — Mechanical, electronics & feature requirements
    • 17:34 — Volume assumptions & pricing impact
    • 19:08 — The danger of rushing decisions
    • 20:44 — Case study: prototyping failure under pressure
    • 24:25 — Case study: component & supply chain risks
    • 26:33 — Case study: regulatory & certification surprises
    • 29:45 — The 10-point pre-start checklist
    • 32:53 — Most common mistake
    • 33:47 — Final takeaway

      •  

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      • 11 Common Electronic Product Certification And Compliance Requirements
      • Crowdfunding Failures: 4 Great Prototypes That Failed To Launch
      • Learn more about how we handle DFM & Industrialization (NPI) for our manufacturing customers

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