5 Minutes Project Management Podcast

Automotive recall from the perspective of Project Management

sueli — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:00:09 +0000

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.

Project Selection Criteria – Part 2 of 2

sueli — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:00:54 +0000

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.

Project Selection Criteria – Part 1 of 2

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:00:45 +0000

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.

The utilization of standards, frameworks and methodologies for Project Management

sueli — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:00:57 +0000

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, create your own model.

Integrated Change Control System

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:00:20 +0000

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: The Secret of Project Management for Luxury Goods

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:00:22 +0000

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).

Tragedy in Haiti: It is Time to Think in PM for Post Disaster Recovery

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:00:11 +0000

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.

Earned Value Management System – Critical Success Factors

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:00:18 +0000

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.

Meetings Management – The Nightmare of the Project Manager – Part 2 of 2

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:00:18 +0000

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.

Meetings Management – The Nightmare of the Project Manager – Part 1 of 2

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:00:15 +0000

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.

Perspectives for 2010

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:00:40 +0000

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

Retrospective of 2009

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:00:29 +0000

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

Directly from the Organizational Success & Excellence Event in Amman – Jordan

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:00:25 +0000

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 leaded the discussions about execution and projects.

The Project Manager is Not the Project Secretary

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:00:25 +0000

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.

Extend Risk Management to Also Include the Opportunities

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:00:51 +0000

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.

PMBOK Guide 4th Edition Process Flow

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:00:46 +0000

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).

Brazil in the Cover of The Economist Magazine and what this Relates to Proper Project Management

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:00:18 +0000

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.

Directly from the Projects to Point Conference in Cairo – Egypt

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:00:25 +0000

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.

Directly from The Economist Innovation Award and Summit in London

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:49 +0000

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 Zukerberg, Facebook founder, are among the receipients. 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. For more information about the award, click here.

Standards and ISO21500: Why Standards are Important for the Project Results Part 2/2

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:00:03 +0000

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

Standards and ISO21500: Why Standards are Important for the Project Results Part 1/2

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:00:35 +0000

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.

Directly from the PMI Global Congress 2009 NA in Orlando USA

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:00:19 +0000

In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about the highlights of the PMI Global Congress North America that is happening in 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 the congress and the PMI Awards, that was celebrated with NASA the 40 years of PMI and the 40 years of the first landing in the moon by Apollo 11.

Directly from the Professional Development Day in New York

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:00:09 +0000

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.

I can’t update the podcasts in English on my iTunes

sueli — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:35:46 +0000

To update the podcasts on iTunes in English you must have an iTunes account international U.S. credit card. Unfortunately this is a policy of Apple. In this case, you must subscribe to the RSS.

The podcasts are recorded only in Portuguese?

sueli — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:22:18 +0000

Since April, 6th, 2009 Ricardo records his podcasts in English and Portuguese before that date all were recorded only in Portuguese.

Differentiating the Functions of the Project Manager and the Project Management Office

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:19:16 +0000

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.

Directly from the Microsoft Project Conference 2009 in Phoenix – USA

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:00:10 +0000

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 the Project 2010. See also the pictures of the new project screen at the Pictures area.

7 Soft Skills for the Project Manager

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:00:49 +0000

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.

Use of CPI and TCPI in the Earned Value Management (EVMS)

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:00:57 +0000

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).

Where can I find the book Gerenciamento de Projetos – Estabelecendo Diferenciais Competitivos to buy?

sueli — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:59:48 +0000

The new edition is available in bookstores . You can find the book in:

http://www.brasport.com.br/index.php?Escolha=8&Livro=L00337

http://www.livrariacultura.com.br/scripts/cultura/resenha/resenha.asp?nitem=2964309&sid=10719722312112559998060460&k5=8466613&uid=
Some chapters of books are in ISSUU. – See in detail of each book in http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/books/book-details/13/

Procurement Processes Changes in the PMBOK Guide 4th Edition

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:00:30 +0000

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.

Five Big Trends in Project Management – PM Network Report

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:00:34 +0000

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.

Where can I find the Practical Guide to Project Planning to buy?

sueli — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:05:11 +0000

The new edition is available in bookstores. You can find the book in:

http://www.brasport.com.br/index.php?Escolha=8&Livro=L00340
http://www.livrariasaraiva.com.br/produto/2858860/manual-pratico-do-plano-de-projeto-utilizando-o-pmbok-guide-4-ed-2009/?ID=BD6BC5DF7DA010C0F29260640

Some chapters of books are in ISSUU. – See in detail of each book in http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/pt/books/

Importance of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to the Project Cost Management

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:00:29 +0000

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.

I’m starting a career in Project Management. What should I do?

graziela — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:20:23 +0000

For professionals who are starting a career in project management, Ricardo prepared many podcasts to support them.
To listening the podcast about beginning of career click on:
http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/podcasts/beginningofcareer/

Look at PMI’s website (www.pmi.org), information on the certifications offered by the institution.
Ricardo prepared 4 podcasts about certification click on the following links:
http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/podcasts/capm/
http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/podcasts/pmppart1/
http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/podcasts/pmppart2/
http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/podcasts/pmppart3/

Usually those who are starting a career in Project Management needs to work experience, find work in a PMO or work with a project manager to better understand the PM.
Approach to PMI chapter of your region and candidate as volunteer. Make a masters degree in project management.

Learning another language is always good, especially English or Spanish. The project management using the standard PMI is known worldwide for those who have this knowledge, the possibility to work in other countries is great.

It’s always good to be part of mailing lists on project management.
Ricardo has a very good book on Project Management which is the ” Practical Guide to Project Planning”. For details, see in http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/books/

On this site there are several videos and documents in the Downloads Center, which contains information on project management, check out the link below:
http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/downloads/

The books and articles are also available in Issuu and Slideshare.

Where can I find the DVD Excellence in Projects?

sueli — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:15:12 +0000

The DVD Excellence in Projects was the version of Project 2002 and is available in the Downloads Center, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. To access it, click on the link: http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/downloads/

Where can I find books of Ricardo Vargas to buy?

sueli — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:12:53 +0000

To learn where to find the books, visit http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/books/ and click on “details” of each book.

Where can I find the old podcasts?

sueli — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:11:04 +0000

All podcasts recorded by Ricardo Vargas is available on the site. The first podcast was done on January 13, 2007 and since then, every week Ricardo has a new subject, podcasts are almost 200 in 3 years of success, click on the link
http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/podcasts/ to access the podcasts.

How can I become partner of Macrosolutions?

sueli — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:09:04 +0000

Currently, Macrosolutions does not work with partnerships. All the consultancies and work of Macrosolutions are performed by Ricardo, which disables an expansion of the works.

How do I send my resume to this company?

sueli — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:07:12 +0000

We are not hiring consultants at the time, but you can send us your CV by e-mail info@macrosolutions.com.br that registered in our database for future projects.

Which is the geographical performance of Macrosolutions?

sueli — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:05:27 +0000

Macrosolutions assists companies globally. We work in Brazil, USA, Germany, Angola, Morocco and other countries.

What is the password to access the CD from the book “Practical Guide”?

sueli — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:03:07 +0000

A password doesn’t exist to unlock the product. They will be automatically installed and then lose the validity of the assessment period. To access the information, leave the username and password blank.

Where can I do trainings offered by Macrosolutions?

sueli — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:57:16 +0000

The demand for courses in open classes is quite large, but all Macrosolutions trainings are taught by Ricardo Vargas, unfortunately we do not offer open classes. The trainings of Macrosolutions are “in company”, closed classes with the minimum number of 20 students per class.

Which courses in Project Management you indicate me?

sueli — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:29:49 +0000

In Brazil, the courses of FGV and Fia/USP in Project Management are excellent. Ricardo made a podcast where he talks about the MBA and PMP certification, you follow the link to listen to the podcast:
http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/podcasts/mbapmp/

Here also the link on the top of career:
http://www.ricardo-vargas.com/podcasts/beginningofcareer/

With respect to distance courses, we do not know MBA in Project Management which is offered by web.

Seal, Madonna and U2 Concert – A Project Management Concert

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:00:07 +0000

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.

Changes Regarding Preliminary Scope Statement and Collect Requirements at PMBOK 4th Edition

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:00:21 +0000

In this podcast Ricardo talks about the changes related to the Integration and Scope Management at the PMBOK Guide 4th editon. He discuss 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.

2014 FIFA Soccer WorldCup in Brazil

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:00:58 +0000

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.

PMI Pulse Survey

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:00:44 +0000

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

Project Versus Routine

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:00:32 +0000

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.

Directly from the Economist Talent Management Conference in London 2 of 2

Ricardo Vargas — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:00:18 +0000

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.