5 Minutes Podcast with Ricardo Vargas

In this episode, Ricardo talks about a concept of psychology that seeks to address professional (and life) challenges by reinforcing the positive aspects of the challenges rather than the negatives: Positive Psychology. Video mentioned: Positive Psychology / Author mentioned: Tal Ben-Shahar

In this episode, Ricardo talks about two additional dimensions in risk assessment, going beyond traditional probability and impact. He gives examples of how the assessment of the urgency and the tendency of a risk can increase the quality of the risk mapping.

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the drama that many project managers feel when the end of the project approaches: the fear of the future and the consequences of unemployment. Unlike in previous episodes where he spoke to the project managers, Ricardo now gives a direct message to executives and sponsors about talent management and how to turn project management into an organizational career.

In this episode, Ricardo shares his impressions on TED2018, an event held in April this year Vancouver, Canada. He talks about what struck him in each talk presented during the four-day event.

In this episode, Ricardo explains a very important concept on product design called Design for X (DfX). Fundamentally, design can be driven by several different objectives and by giving priority to one element (X) we can simplify, improve control and refine the product development process. Largely used in engineering and product development, the term "X" can mean different aspects of the product like Cost, Safety, Disposal, Usability, Manufacturing, among several others.

In this episode, Ricardo returns to talk about the concept of ethics among the project environment and recommends the work of the Project Management Institute (available at www.pmi.org/about/ethics) and the Institute for Global Ethics (www.globalethics.org).

In this episode, Ricardo explains how to read the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition in a more productive way, so you can better understand the project management knowledge areas and their processes. Many people believe that the Guide should be read as a traditional book, from the first to the last chapter, but by listening to this episode you will discover that this is not the best way.

In this episode, Ricardo goes back one more time to the diversity topic. After all the news around sexual harassment and all sorts of people’s discrimination because of race, sex, sexual orientation and religion, Ricardo comes back to explain one more time how diversity contributes to creativity, to unlock new ideas and help the project to succeed. On the top of this discussion, he reinforces that the acceptance of diversity does not mean that you will change your beliefs, but instead, you will see others opinions as a valuable set of insights to develop a better product or service and ultimately, serve better the society.

In this episode, Ricardo discusses how you can decompose a program into the respective projects and their components. He uses the example of a Course or Degree being divided into disciplines and classes. In the end, Ricardo addresses a fundamental question: Is a class a routine or a work package? Listen to the episode to know the answer.

Ricardo starts 2018 sharing some tips on how to prepare yourself for the year that is coming. He approaches the need to stay tuned with the technology advancements, as also the attitude and behavior related to the decision making, the amplification of your knowledge base, and finally, the management of our fears when facing the unknown.

In this episode, Ricardo continues to talk about the 6th edition of the PMBOK® Guide and more specifically addresses the changes in the knowledge areas. Some areas lost processes, others gained new ones. In addition, two areas have been renamed.

In this episode, 1 of 2, Ricardo talks about the sixth edition of the PMBOK® Guide, which is the most popular reference on project management. Ricardo comments on what's changed since the last version published 4 years ago. He also presents his video that shows the development of the new processes flow, that you can download on his website (ricardo-vargas.com). You can also download a canvas and use it to repeat the process shown in the video and make the processes flow at home, at work or in your classroom for a better understanding of the Guide.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the relevance of understanding what underlines the implementation of a strategy. Creating a transformation strategy for an organization is an incredibly hard task, but the challenge is not finished after the strategy is on paper. You need to get things done, you need to deliver that strategy design, and that's where most organizations fail. Read the recent article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/think-how-connect-your-strategy-design-ability-pay-viana-vargas/

In this episode, Ricardo presents the highlights of the TED Global 2017 conference in Arusha, Tanzania. He comments on some of the presentations whose content included everything from discussions about art and religion to aspects of artificial intelligence in reducing the cost of diagnosing cancer in poor communities. In the end, he approaches the importance of comprehensive and varied knowledge that, together with the diversity of ideas, cultures, and training, creates a rich and open environment for change and evolution.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the challenges faced in projects when there are resources whose costs are in foreign currencies. You will understand the role of hedging, to protect the project against exchange rate fluctuations.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the concept of the OODA loop. The phrase refers to the decision cycle of Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act, developed by military strategist and the United States Air Force Colonel John Boyd. Boyd applied the concept to the combat operations process, often at the strategic level. The OODA loop is also used in many types of business where the decision needs to be taken quickly and in advance, as in the case of projects.

In this episode, Ricardo starts speaking if the assumptions and constraints should be documented in the Scope Statement or the Project Charter. Then, he reflects about the real relevance of knowing in what “piece of paper” this information will be inserted and reinforce that relevant information is what drives the project to success. Ricardo used in this podcast the word Restriction as a synonym of Constraints (a PMBOK® term).

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the Go Horse Process, a “new” paradigm in project management methodologies. :)

In this episode, Ricardo talks about neophobia, or the fear of the new, a natural feeling that afflicts project managers, even those with great experience. He gives tips on how to deal with the problem: face the new with curiosity, as something to explore; know that this feeling is not exclusive, everyone feels it to a greater or lesser degree; know yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and deal with them.

In this episode, Ricardo gives 5 tips on how we can get a troublesome project back on track: Seek support from the sponsor; Evaluate the scope; Deliver a minimum viable product (MVP); Rebuild the credibility and motivation of the team; Re-negotiate deadlines and costs with the sponsor and the client.

In this episode, Ricardo returns to the subject of the last episode and explains what it is to actually have relevant experience as a project manager, as opposed to simply having years of service.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the skills of great project managers: having a track record, a history of challenges, failures, and successes throughout his/her career and having a great ability to communicate. He ends up answering the controversial question that always arises: is it a mandatory condition for the project success that the manager holds the technical knowledge, the expertise, about the product to be developed?

In this episode, Ricardo comments on the Pulse of Profession® 2017, an annual report published by the Project Management Institute (PMI). About 4,000 professionals worldwide were interviewed and one of the key indicators reported is that financial waste on unsuccessful projects has dropped by around 20%; Until last yet, it was about USD 122 million lost for every billion invested. This year, the value dropped to 97 million. Check out other highlights listening to the podcast. Download the report: http://www.pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/pulse/pulse-of-the-profession-2017

In this episode, Ricardo, in his traditional annual retrospective of the project management scenario, makes a reflection on how to think about the new year: plan but most importantly, do; seeking to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity.

In this episode, Ricardo talks directly from the Zaatari refugee camp located in Jordan, where he is participating in the recordings of the documentary: "Zaatari: The Desert that Became Home" (in a free translation). Zaatari is the largest camp of Syrian War refugees, and, in just four years, it became the third city in the country. Learn more about the documentary.

In this episode, Ricardo explains the differences between project and production/operations management, giving characteristics and examples of both areas.

In this episode, Ricardo explains something that many people still confuse, are risks and problems the same things? He also gives tips on how to manage problems, small or large ones, effectively.

In this episode, Ricardo explains when it's a good idea to split a project into phases/stages. He also pointed out that nothing prevents us from using different methodologies to manage each of these stages, if that contributes to project success, of course.

In this episode, Ricardo explains the differences between the role of an engineer and of a project manager. He tries to answer once and for all the doubts that many people have to understand these two roles in a project environment.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about why statistics is of great importance to the project manager and recommends a free online course at Udacity: “Intro to Statistics” by Sebastian Thrun.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the most common cognitive biases that may be present in our daily communications, and how can we learn to handle them in negotiations, meetings and presentations. Learn about other biases in this infographic published on Business Insider: http://rvarg.as/bias

In this episode, Ricardo emphasizes that one of the project's main success factors is the project manager's behavior and his sense of purpose, the motivation that drives him/her toward a satisfying future.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the DICE Framework, developed by Boston Consulting Group members to evaluate the chances of success of your project or of your chance management initiative. The factors on the acronym DICE: D – Duration, I – Integrity, C – Commitment and E – Effort receive a score from 1 to 4 and after a simple calculation, the result will help you compare if your project is more likely to be successful or to fail.

In this episode, Ricardo gives three important tips on how to plan for entropy: knowing when to allow fluctuations in the project tasks; recognize that problems will happen and be prepared; learn how to control the process of disorder.

In this episode, Ricardo explains what is entropy and how it’s related to project management. Next week, he’ll show how we can act in the midst of disorder within a project environment. Watch the video by Prof. Brian Cox: http://rvarg.as/fc

In this episode, Ricardo talks about two terms that appear very often throughout the PMBOK® Guide and usually generate a lot of questions from those who are starting in project management.

In this episode, Ricardo explains what the differences between capital projects, also known as Capex (Capital expenditure) projects, and traditional projects, which are focused on a business operation, also known with Opex (Operational expenditure) projects.

In this episode, Ricardo continues to talk about the "Global Reporting Initiative" and how one can report sustainability aspects in his/her projects and why this is relevant to the organization and to the society.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the "Global Reporting Initiative", an association that develops standards that help organizations of various sectors to identify and report what they do to build a more sustainable world, which goes beyond the environmental aspect.

In this second episode, Ricardo continues to explain the steps for creating a solid business case and how to 'sell it' within the organization.

In this episode, Ricardo begins to detail the Business Case. He explains why it is important and how to use it.

In this episode, Ricardo asks: can the project manager be subject to criminal or civil liability for something that went wrong on the project?

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the importance that a professional certification can represent in your resumé, but he makes it clear, being certified is not the same of having real experience.

In this episode, Ricardo through the trust tree metaphor shows what the project manager needs to sow and cultivate trust on his work and on the project success, among the project’s team and stakeholders.

In this episode, Ricardo gives tips to improve the way we do networking.

In this episode, Ricardo explains that the risks report produced by the World Economic Forum is a source of rich information about global risks and can help a lot in during a project risk management. Download the report at http://reports.weforum.org/global-risks-2016/

In this episode, Ricardo commented on the types of power and how each one of them can be used in our professional and personal relationships.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the Logical Framework (LogFrame), interesting tool created by USAID, a United States government agency focused on humanitarian projects. More at https://usaidlearninglab.org/learning-guide/logical-framework

In this episode, Ricardo does a quick retrospective in the project management world. He says we must understand that volatility is part of the game, and we should learn how to work with and around it.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about how neural networks and the analogous estimating can help when determining the project budget, especially when you have access to reliable historical information.