Balancing the budget in R&D projects can indeed be challenging, especially when team members have differing priorities. To find common ground, I facilitate open discussions where everyone is encouraged to voice their needs and concerns transparently. This approach fosters an environment of collaboration and understanding. I also ensure that all budget decisions align with the project's overarching goals and potential returns, reinforcing the importance of the project’s success to justify resource allocations. Finally, I seek compromise by identifying areas where resources can be shared or adjusted to accommodate multiple needs without compromising the project’s integrity.

During my first year as a paint formulator in the R&D lab, we had an issue while developing a decorative water-based putty: the drying time was fast, making it hard to handle. My colleagues added retarder solvents to slow drying, but this backfired, as they acted as coalescing agents with the acrylic emulsion, accelerating surface drying. After a week of unsuccessful attempts, I studied the formulation and identified the root cause: high solid content and low water ratio. I increased the water percentage and reduced Texanol and Butyl Glycol from 2% each to 0.20% each. This resolved the issue and cost has been reduced significantly. This experience taught me to focus on root causes rather than symptoms, boosting my confidence sky high.