Overview
Client: Dentsply Sirona
Consultant: Teresa Nelson, Full-Time Project Manager
Projects: Atlantis Zirconia Crowns, Temporary Crowns, and Azento R&D Workstream Lead
Dentsply Sirona, a global leader in dental solutions, tasked Teresa Nelson with managing several critical projects focused on innovative dental products. As the project manager, Teresa led the global cross-functional teams responsible for developing and releasing the Atlantis zirconia crowns and temporary crowns. She also served as the R&D Workstream lead for the Azento project, managing product development, manufacturing transfer, and packaging for this cutting-edge dental solution. Teresa’s leadership and collaboration across multiple regions, particularly with teams based in the U.S. and Sweden, were key to the success of these projects.
Challenge
The development and launch of Atlantis zirconia and temporary crowns required precise coordination across multiple teams, departments, and global locations. Teresa was responsible for managing the global cross-functional teams, including local members and team members from Sweden, to ensure successful product development, validation, and release.
Teresa's Role
As the project manager, Teresa led the global team through each phase of the product lifecycle, from initial development to final production. She facilitated regular team meetings using a combination of in-person and virtual attendance, ensuring that all team members, despite being geographically dispersed, remained engaged and coordinated.
Teresa provided monthly project updates to the Project Portfolio Management (PPM) team, which consisted of senior-level managers. These updates covered key activities, risks, issues, and decisions required to keep the project on track. Her ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership while maintaining project progress was critical in advancing both the Atlantis zirconia and temporary crown projects.
Key Outcomes
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Successful Product Development and Release: Under Teresa’s leadership, both the Atlantis zirconia and temporary crown projects were successfully developed, validated, FDA 510(k) cleared, and released into production, meeting global market demand for high-quality dental solutions.
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Global Team Collaboration: Teresa’s effective use of digital communication tools ensured the global team remained aligned, engaged, and productive, despite the geographical divide between the U.S. and Sweden offices.
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Leadership and Communication: Teresa’s ability to provide clear, concise project updates to the PPM team ensured that senior leadership had visibility into key project activities, risks, and decisions, which helped facilitate smooth project execution.
Conclusion
Teresa Nelson’s role at Dentsply Sirona exemplifies her exceptional project management skills, particularly in leading global teams through complex product development and delivery processes. Her ability to manage cross-functional teams across different countries, combined with her leadership in coordinating R&D workstreams, was instrumental in the success of the Atlantis zirconia and temporary crowns and Azento projects.
Through effective communication, strategic planning, and team coordination, Teresa ensured that all projects met their objectives, from development to production and delivery. Her work directly contributed to Dentsply Sirona’s ability to bring innovative dental solutions to the global market, reinforcing her reputation as a leader in project management and product development.
Case Study: Dentsply Sirona -
Driving Innovation in Dental Solutions
Project 1: Atlantis Zirconia and Temporary Crown Projects
Project 2: Azento R&D Workstream Lead
Teresa's Role
As the R&D Workstream lead, Teresa managed the product and process development, and coordinated a global team to ensure the Azento product line met its specifications and market goals. She oversaw the design and implementation of new product packaging, ensuring it adequately protected the product and met customer expectations. Teresa's leadership ensured the timely delivery of the product, which aligned with the company's goals for delivering innovative dental solutions to patients and customers.
Challenge
The Azento project required the development, manufacturing, and delivery of new dental products and their associated packaging. Leading the R&D workstream for a global project of this scale demanded a highly coordinated effort, balancing innovation with practical manufacturing and delivery constraints.
Key Outcomes
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Product Innovation and Delivery: Teresa successfully led the global team in developing and delivering the Atlantis products included in the Azento product line, a significant advancement in the dental implant space.
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Comprehensive Packaging Solutions: Teresa spearheaded the development of product packaging that enhanced the overall product offering, demonstrating her ability to manage both technical and consumer-facing aspects of the project.
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Cross-Functional Leadership: Teresa’s coordination across multiple teams and functions ensured that the project remained on schedule, meeting critical timelines for product development and launch