5 Minutes Podcast with Ricardo Vargas

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the project critical path and explains that the use of software to calculate the critical path, causes the manager to forget the basics and concepts of project management. Ricardo also explains that the critical path consists of the activities that directly determine the duration of the project and these activities are not necessarily more expensive or riskier in the project.

In this second podcast about the corporate strategy course that Ricardo took at MIT, he talks about the lock-in position with the customer, i.e., to create a unique channel with your customers by offering customized and complete solutions. Ricardo explains that in order to address the customers expectations in a different manner, it is necessary to think in a designed way and also to create a unique channel with your customer.

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the course of Corporate Strategy that he took at MIT. In the course the focus was the strategic model called Delta Model, where the customer relationship is the cornerstone of any strategy. The course was conducted by Prof. Arnoldo Hax, one of the world's experts in strategy.

In this podcast, Ricardo pays a tribute to Rita Mulcahy, who passed away on May 15th. He says he had the opportunity to meet her back in 1998 in California, when he attended to a presentation she was giving. At that very moment he realized that Rita was a different person. Ricardo mentions that he participates in many project management discussion groups from several countries, and by the messages posted on these groups, it is easy to see that people from everywhere have her book as the reference when it comes to preparing for the PMP certification.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the concessions that the project manager often does. He explains that the concession usually is harmful to the project, because when the project manager makes a concession, he ceases to follow the plans, and shows that he is not serious about the plan. Ricardo also explained that once made the concession, it becomes very difficult to not do more.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the management of virtual teams in projects. He explains that this is a big trend in the business world and shows the benefits of leading a virtual team, as well as the major challenges that must be dealt with like cultural, communications and geographic issues. Ricardo shows that technology is a major enabler for the project manager in this task and that the leadership style of the project manager while managing a virtual team is quite different from leading a face-to-face team.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the Lean Six Sigma Brazilian Congress that will take place on May, 12- 13th in Sao Paulo. He has been invited to talk about how project management can make a difference in Brazil. He explains that the congress will address several issues related to efficiency in corporate management in Brazilian companies so as to compete in international markets. Ricardo also emphasizes that the congress will cover topics such as ecology, social responsibility, sustainability, world economy and innovation - a theme he discussed a lot when he studied “Management and Development of Complex Products” at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about procrastination in projects, ie the act of delaying something in the project. He explains the reasons why people take this attitude also called of "student syndrome".

In this podcast Ricardo talks directly from Albert Einstein Hospital, his first project management work in health care. He reflects the dimension that project management is taking place in non-typical areas for projects.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about what happens when the project manager is changed midway through the project, he explains that is important to keep the core team to ensure understanding of the project and gives some tips for the new project manager.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about project management in financial institutions, where the product is money itself. He also talks about the importance of technology to facilitate the client's work and provide accurate and quick financial transactions.

In this second podcast of the MIT series, Ricardo talks about the development and management of successful strategies of product development. He talks of innovation and the difference between the ability of companies to create value and capture value.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the course on Management of Development Complex Product that he is doing in Cambridge at MIT. He explains that complex products can be aviation products, electronics, hardware and others. Ricardo also talks about the types of complexity involving the product and a mathematical model to help plan these products that is the Design Structure Matrix - DSM.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the importance of good relations between those who purchase the project, who manages and third parties involved in the project. He explains that the trust and respect must be made since early project, so that each party knows their role and their responsibilities.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the problems of recall in the automotive industry which occurred in February and how project management can help in situations like this. He explains that there is an increasing pressure on time and lower costs, leading companies to a greater exposure to risk.

In the second installment of a two-part series, Ricardo talks about other criteria that should be considered while selecting projects. He explains that the weight of each criterion depends on the company's scenario, and that the selection of projects for the portfolio must be made using multiple criteria.

In this podcast Ricardo discuss the main criteria used in the project selection to the portfolio. In this part 1/2, he approaches the relevance of using also non-financial metrics as criteria, like strategic fit, urgency and risk.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the knowledge of the various standards, frameworks, and methodologies that project managers should have. He explains that the project manager must have the ability to understand a problem and solve it using various solutions for project management, making a mix, and if necessary, creating your own model.

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the importance of project change management. He assert that the relevant is not to avoid the change, but manage it in a proper and assertive way, aiming the global benefit for the project.

Directly from Paris, France, Ricardo talks in this podcast about the most important characteristics of project management for the development of luxury goods, where criteria like speed and cost reduction are revisited and re-contextualized to reach a market that is driven by other assumptions. He focus on the image construction and exclusivity as essential peculiarity of the functional scope (requirement) of this kind of product. A brand new dimension of the very popular triple restriction (PCT - Performance - Cost - Time).

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the disaster that happened in Haiti on January 12, 2010, making a reflection about the facts using the Project Management perspective and how coordinated activities promoted by PM practices can bring agility to the recovery. He also approaches the PMI Methodology for Post Disaster Reconstruction, provided by PMI Educational Foundation, available at http://www.pmi.org/pmief/humanitarian/PDRM.asp.

In this podcast Ricardo discuss the critical success factors of the use of earned value in projects. He presents the main areas where everybody must pay attention while using the technique and also approaches the relevance of the proper understanding of the concepts behind the numbers and how important is the project planning in order to use the EVMS.

Part 2 of 2 of the podcast where Ricardo talks about one of the biggest nightmares of the project manager: the meetings. Many times bad planned and with very low effectiveness this podcast tries to show techniques and practices for meeting management, aiming to plan properly, and increase the project success rate.

In this podcast Ricardo talks about one of the biggest nightmares of the project manager: the meetings. Many times bad planned and with very low effectiveness this podcast tries to show techniques and practices for meeting management, aiming to plan properly, and increase the project success rate. Part 1 of 2 podcasts.

In this podcast Ricardo makes a journey to the future, talking about the main perspectives for the incoming year. Optimism and opportunities are the keywords for the project managers searching for new challenges. This is the last podcast of 2009.

In this podcast Ricardo makes a retrospective of project management in the world in 2009. He presented the 5 highlights of the year in project, including Portfolio Management, Crisis Management and the government participation and bailout to projects.

In this podcast, Ricardo presents the highlights of the conference realized last week in Amman, Jordan. The event discussed the association between leadership, governance, execution, and strategy. Ricardo led the discussions about execution and projects.

In this podcast Ricardo discusses the real role of the project manager as a decision maker. He afirms that the project manager doesn't have the function of only generate elegant reports and preparing meetings. His/her role goes above and beyond this. The PM role is to take the right decision to lead the project to success.

In this podcast Ricardo presents the concept of opportunities management as part of the risk management process. He also talks about the most important strategies to respond to the "positive" risks in a project environment.

In this podcast, Ricardo presents the PMBOK Guide (c) 4th Edition process flow. In the flow, the 42 processes of PMBOK are organized based on the natural project flow and not by the knowledge area. The final artwork of the flow is available for free download at www.ricardo-vargas.com (download area).

In this podcast Ricardo makes comments about the cover of the British magazine The Economist on 14 of November, 2009. The magazine presented the opportunities in Brazil and how the country is dealing with the growth. It will be a unique opportunity for superior practice of Project Management and certainly the biggest challenge for the future.

In this podcast Ricardo talks directly from the Projects 2 Point Conference that happened from October 3rd to October 5th, 2009 in Cairo, Egypt. In the podcast he discusses the highlights of the conference, like agile, project management in oil and gas. Beyond this, Ricardo analyze the perspectives for Egypt and also Africa and Middle East as certainly the next area in the planet to register record growth in the incoming years. Great place for project management growth.

In this podcast, Ricardo presents the highlights of the award promoted by the British magazine The Economist for the most important innovations of the year. Ratan Tata for the low-cost car "Tata Nano" and Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, are among the recipients. Topics of how project management is critical for innovation implementation were among the discussed items in a 2-day meeting with more than 120 people from all over the world.

In this second podcast about standards and ISO, Ricardo provides updated information about the ISO TC236 (Technical Committee 236) that is developing the ISO 21500, which is fully dedicated to project management.

In this podcast Ricardo presents and highlights the importance of the standards which aims to facilitate the project communication process. It is the first of a two podcasts series about the subject where, besides talking about standards, Ricardo provides updated information about the ISO TC236 (Technical Commitee 236) that is developing the ISO 21500, which is fully dedicated to project management.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas talks about the highlights of the PMI Global Congress North America that is happening this October in Orlando - FL - USA. The congress had 2,500 attendees from 52 countries. Topics like sustainability and the 40 years of PMI were the highlights of the congress and the PMI Awards, which was celebrated with NASA the 40 years of PMI, and the 40 years of the first landing on the moon by Apollo 11.

In this podcast Ricardo presents the highlights of the Professional Development Day promoted by PMI New York City Chapter. He discusses topics like agile project management, talent management, value of project management and human aspects related to projects.

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the misunderstanding that many professionals make about the roles of the project manager and the PMO. Many professionals assert incorrectly that the management of the project is a PMO role. He also explains the differences between the 2 roles using an analogy with a car in a road with a driver and a instrument panel.

In this podcast, Ricardo presents the highlights of the Microsoft Project Conference held in Phoenix-USA. The thrill of the conference was the first public exhibition of Project 2010. See also the pictures of the new project screen in the Pictures area.

In this podcast Ricardo talks again about the relevance of the soft skills for the project manager. He presents in this podcast 7 indispensable abilities to a successful Project Manager.

In this podcast Ricardo discuss the importance of TCPI (To Complete Performance Index) to evaluate the possibility of cost recovery in the project. The TCPI is the complement of CPI (Cost Performance Index) and allows the evaluation of the future financial conversion rate for the project in order to accomplish the final project budget. It is one of the most important indexes to evaluate the possibility of project financial recovery using Earned Value Management System (EVMS).

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the changes related to the Procurement processes, where some of the 6 processes described in the third edition of the PMBOK Guide were melted, resulting in 4 process at the PMBOK 4th Edition. This new structure gave more clarity and fluidity for the readers, summing up all the procurement process with the verbs "Plan", "Conduct", "Administer" and "Close". Other important aspect is the replacement of the term "contract" by the term "procurement", giving more extend to the concepts, allowing that the processes cover the administration and closure of the the acquisitions without a "required" contract.

In this podcast Ricardo discusses the III Annual PM Network Trend Report, published in June, 2009. He presents the main trends in projects induced by the global crisis and how companies and professionals can benefit themselves from this scenario. The PM Network magazine is distributed to PMI members and they can access the file at member's area of PMI website.

In this podcast Ricardo discuss the relevance of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to the Project Cost Management, specifically during the budget estimating. The podcast also discuss the influence of the WBS quality to the budget quality and the difference between cost and price in a project.

In this podcast Ricardo describes his experience at the Madonna, U2 and Seal concerts. Much more than a musical concert, what he saw was an impeccable project management show.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the changes related to the Integration and Scope Management at the PMBOK Guide 4th edition. He discusses the removal of the process related to the preliminary scope statement and the insertion of the process to collect requirements as the first process of scope management. Moreover, Ricardo analyses the reasons, the implications and the benefits of the change.

Podcast that Ricardo return back to the project management needs to the 2014 Soccer WorldCup in Brazil. The podcast was recorded in order to complement the interview that he gave to the brazilian magazine Amanhã (tomorrow). If you are interested in access the full interview at http://issuu.com/ricardo.vargas/docs/interview-amanha-newspaper. Interview in Brazilian Portuguese.

Know the Project Management market behavior and the main trends at the PMI Pulse Survey.

Podcast that Ricardo presents and discuss in 5 minutes the main concepts and differences of projects and routine, talking in a practical way the limits that discriminate the routine work and project work.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about the highlights of the conference promoted by the British magazine The Economist in London that he attended last week. At the event companies like Google, Thomson Reuters, British American Tobacco, Mark & Spencer and others shared the main challenges to search for talent and develop human resources. Great project management insights. Part 2 of 2.