Product development
Saga Nordin
A mechanical engineer who ran product development at a truck-components supplier, from 40 engineers to 160. She joined Kvist in 2021.
Always asks
“Who is allowed to change the date?”
Practice
Product development
Before Kvist
Head of product development, a truck-components supplier
At Kvist
Partner since 2021
Works in
Swedish, English
Next start
12 January 2027
Why that question
Launches don’t slip because engineers are slow. They slip because the date belongs to everyone: sales promises it, a customer moves it, purchasing finds out about it late, and every one of them can change it without asking anyone.
Her first test is a list: every change to the launch date on the last few projects, who made it and why. When only one person may move the date, it moves less.
Before Kvist
Design engineer at a truck-components supplier in Södertälje.
Project manager for two brake-system launches.
Head of product development: 40 engineers then, 160 when she left.
Joined Kvist as its fourth partner.
Questions Saga is asked most
And the first test Saga runs on each, in week one.
Why does every launch slip by a quarter?
First test · planned against actual for the last eight launches
How many models should we offer?
First test · margin and engineering hours by model, including the variants
Why do we start more projects than we finish?
First test · every open project, its owner and its last real decision
Engagements
The ones our clients have let us describe. Ask about the others.
Why does every launch slip by a quarter?
A maker of agricultural trailers
Summary
How many models should we offer?
A timber-frame house builder
Summary
Next partner
Henrik Ahlström
Deals and capital
·
“What does the order book actually say?”
A question in Saga’s part of the world? Bring it; Saga reads it, and replies within two working days.