Walks on West Cliff

The Evolution of High Technology Hardware Product Development

Enjoyed a scenic and insightful get together with Robert Bisaillon and Wayne Miller in Sausalito.

It got me thinking about how much high technology hardware product development has evolved over the past few decades.

A few key takeaways that resonated:

1. Agile for Hardware is Here. Thanks to simulation, rapid prototyping, and AI-driven tools, agile methodologies are now more achievable than ever in hardware development.
2. The Great China Reversal. After years of watching OEMs shift manufacturing to China, we’re now seeing a strategic pullback. At Paramit, I witnessed firsthand how ~40% of our business moved to China, which forced us to rethink our entire business model. Today, risk, resilience, and regional diversification are driving a new wave of supply chain shifts.
3. Ops Expertise is Retiring Fast. The number of professionals with true end-to-end hardware experience is rapidly shrinking. As industry veterans retire, there’s a growing need to capture and transfer this tribal knowledge before it is lost.

🔍 What shifts are you seeing in hardware product development and commercialization? Would love to hear your insights.