5 Minutes Podcast with Ricardo Vargas

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 1 of 2.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about the concept of quality vs. the costs included to deliver the quality. He shows that the costs related to the creation of attributes that aren't perceived by the client are a direct waste of capital. On the other side, the costs related to the production of real value that is perceived by the client are considered an investment in the project quality.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas talks about the qualitative risks analysis, sharing a model to qualify better the project risks using an qualitative analysis with numeric quantitative results by using the quadratic average calculation, allowing a simple and efficient approach for risk management.

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the main characteristics of project managers and discuss if this characteristics should be the same to all kind of projects and if should exist some kind of technical specialization in the subject or not in order to execute the proper project planning and control.

This week Ricardo continues the talk about agile project management and Scrum. In this podcast, Ricardo shows his perceptions about the use of agile and how this can be used in conjunction with PMBOK Guide and other aprroaches to a successful Project Mangement practice. Second podcast about the subject.

This week Ricardo introduces one of the most requested themes for podcasts, talking about agile project management and Scrum. First of a series of 2 podcasts about the subject. He had initial contact with Agile and Scrum and tried in this podcast to talk a little more about how Agile and Scrum work. It is important to emphasize that Ricardo is not a specialist in this subject. This podcast aims to introduce to non-specialists in Agile and Scrum the main concepts involved in the technique. He also makes a small error in the podcast when he affirms that Scrum is a term from American Football. The correct definition of Scrum is from the Rugby game.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas presents the highlights of the PMI Global Congress EMEA 2009 in Amsterdam - Netherlands. Topics like the Chaos Theory, politics and finance in project, creativity and Agile are the most discussed topics in a congress with 600 attendees from 48 countries.

In ths podcast, Ricardo Vargas presents the third podcast from a series of three podcasts recorded directly from the Program of Negotiations of Harvard University in Cambridge - MA, where he attended the courses of Negotiations for Senior Executives and Dealing with Difficult People.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas presents the second podcast from a series of three podcasts recorded directly from the Program of Negotiations of Harvard University in Cambridge - MA, where he attended the courses of Negotiations for Senior Executives and Dealing with Difficult People.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas presents the first podcast from a series of three podcasts recorded directly from the Program of Negotiations of Harvard University in Cambridge - MA, where he attended the courses of Negotiations for Senior Executives and Dealing with Difficult People.

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the effects of pessimism and the Murphys Law inside the projects.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas differentiate the concept of assumption from the concept of constraint in a project, associating the risks intrinsic to the proper choice of a set of assumptions for the project.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas address some theme requests about the concept of program management, as also the differences between project program and portfolio.

In this podcast, Ricardo makes a special honor to the PMI-MG chapter for completing 10 years. H proudly remembers when in 1998-1999 the PMI-MG was founded. He also talks about the difficulties in getting 25 members to create the chapter and mentions the development of the unofficial translation of the PMBOK which was executed by PMI-MG. He congratulates all members of PMI-MG and other Brazilian chapters. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas talks about the difficulty of proving the value of project management. He explains that oftentimes the benefits acquired by project management are not tangible and that not everything can be mathematically measured, so the companies should create productivity drivers to measure the success of the projects. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas talks about the impact of projects in society and their associated risks. He explains that in addition to the technological and financial aspects, companies must identify the main stakeholders and verify the positive and negative impacts that the project will bring to the involved society. Ricardo warns that the company has the responsibility of addressing the impacts that the project might generate and also be very careful not to do the government's role. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas talks about crises in projects. He explains that when the executive team see many projects being cancelled in other companies due to a crisis, they panic and cancel their projects too, using criteria that may harm the company in the future. Ricardo also mentions that a crisis in the project is a challenge that the project manager needs to find the best way to minimize its bad effects. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas talks about the new edition of the PMBOK guide. He also talks about the main changes in the guide and explains that the PMBOK is aligned with the other PMI standards and using the same terminology. The publication's navigation is easy, fluent and direct. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo explains what are lessons learned and the benefits that we can reap by documenting all relevant project information. He also shows how to document the lessons learned and the resources that can be used in the documentation. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas talks about confidential projects that demand a security information and the projects where the dissemination of information makes a çompetitive differential for the Project Manager. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas presents the main area of focus presented at the PMI Global Congress that has taken place in Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia. Topics as innovation, creativity, portfolio management and the value of project management are the most discussed subjects at the congress that join 400 people from 32 different countries. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the project baselines and explains why every project must have a baseline to be used as a control reference. He also shows how the baselines should be created. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the main problems faced by the project manager. He mentionss that many of these problems are related to human resources. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the importance of the kick-off meeting of the project, who should be invited, what the content should be and also the recommended duration for this meeting. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the importance of documenting the project risks in a structured way the risks in order to generate a risk database. He also explains what information should be documented in the database. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this episode, Ricardo explains what is a RBS, how it can help to identify project risks and how it should be created. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo explains that the year of 2009 will be a challenge for all projects managers because of the limited resources they will be facing. He also mentions that the organizations will be more cautious while selecting their projects because they won't be able to execute everything they wanted. This means that projects managers shall play a fundamental role in their companies. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this hundredth podcast, Ricardo makes a retrospective of the year and explains that 2008 was an excellent year for project management in Brazil. He says that Brazil gained greater importance in the world and that many Brazilians got certified or sought a postgraduate course in project management. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo presents his perceptions about one of the cities with biggest rate of growth worldwide, where a infinitude of giant projects are now undertake in order to transform Dubai into the touristic and economic. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the importance of creating the business in a correct manner, that is, how to generate prosperity with responsibility. He also says that project management is one of the best ways to bring prosperity to the world and that during a negotiation you have to foster a relationship where both suppliers and buyers can win. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo tries to differentiate the concept of project management and product management (management of the product generated by the project. Despite the same origin, the approach strategies of these 2 management practices are significantly different. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo explains what is, how works and how relevant is the project change control board (CCB), the most important team inside each project. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, the Ricardo talks about Rolling Wave Planning. He explained that the planning is more detail in the near term and detail in high level in the far term. Ricardo notes that this procedure is indicated when the project has a long duration (more than 1 year), where the horizon and estimate of cost and time is poor. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo talks directly from Kingston - Jamaica the main topics of the International Project Management Day, an event with the participation of the Minister of Energy, Mr. Clive Mullings. At the event, were discussed themes as globalization, sustainable growth and best practices. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas talks about the global financial crisis. He explains that this crisis can be an opportunity for the Brazilians. Ricardo also talks that we need to be optimistic, because even with this crisis, companies need to continue their projects and the Brazilian is accustomed to working in an unstable environment. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this prodcast, Ricardo talks about the Stockholm Syndrome when it comes to projects. Ricardo shows that sometimes the project manager fails to report relevant events in order to not harm the relationship with the customer. This protective relationship to the customer can be bad for the project. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the main topics that are now being presented at the North America Congress promoted by PMI. Keynote speaker General Collin Powell addressed the importance of project management and leadership skills for all leaders. The congress also presented several topics related to social and professional responsibility. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo continues talking about the maturity in projects. He explains in detail the 8 items that he thinks that should be considered when measuring the maturity level of project management in a given company. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the project management maturity models and their different kinds. He explains that companies with higher maturity in project management have better processes and higher success rates in their projects, whereas companies with less maturity have higher failure rates in their projects. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the displacement of positions caused by changes and the importance of communication while managing changes in projects. Ricardo also points out that every change is easier to assimilate when the information is reasonable, justifiable and not imposed, thus generating more credibility to the project.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about the KPI - Key Performance Indexes. KPIs are indexes that give the project a numeric result. He explains that these indexes can show the status of the schedule, cost, scope, quality and other issues. Exhibiting information in a graphical way, the project manager can have a fast and effective way of communicating information. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about megaproject management. He defines what a megaproject is and how the profile of a project manager should be to manage such a project. He presents some megaprojects examples, like the ones from Dubai and Sonangol in Angola. Ricardo also talks about the importance of looking for the best professionals to be part of a megaproject team. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, from a suggestion of Alexandre Giordani, Ricardo Vargas talks about the sponsor that wants to manage the project. He explains that each person has a role in the project and that the sponsors role is to give support to the manager and to be a great guardian of the project. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about the importance of knowledge management in the field of project management. Starting from the knowledge obtained from previous projects, the project manager can optimize his/her project and avoid risk situations that happened in other projects. Ricardo also shows the importance of disseminating the knowledge and documenting the project. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo talks about his perceptions and the main themes presented at the symposium promoted by the University of Texas in Dallas. At the congress, considered by Vargas as one of the most technical congresses in the field, were discussed topics as the project kick off meetings, how to effectively implement PMOs, Stockholm syndrome, among many other subjects presented. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast, Ricardo Vargas talks about Human Resource Management and explains that often the project manager has a more technical background with no experience in human resource management. He talks about the importance of maintaining the motivation of the stakeholders and that the project manager must learn to practise active listening to understand the stakeholder's needs better. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

this podcast Ricardo presents the main topics discussed during the PMI Global Congress that is taking place this week in Sao Paulo. Topics as sustainability, earned value analysis, critical chain, project sponsorship and value proposition are the highlights now. This congress has been considered by PMI the largest PMI Congress outside PMI North America. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about wages in project management, adding that this is a controversial issue. He also explains the best ways to identify a junior and a senior manager, along with their average wages in Brazil. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about stakeholder management and who the project stakeholders are and the type of influence they exert on the project. He also talks about the importance of mapping the stakeholders and managing their expectations. He also explains what should be made to identify the most influential stakeholders in the project. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about the differences between the PMP certification and a Post-graduate degree in Project Management. He explains that a PMP certification can never replace an MBA and vice versa because they are different credentials that complement each other. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.