Initial Concepts
Learn the basic concepts involved in project management and understand why so many people do a lot of confusion to know what is a project.
This playlist has 27 episodes.
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Mindmaps
(21 Apr 2008)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about mind maps - a powerful visual technique that is of great aid to project management. He explains the mindmap principles and how to use them. Mindmaps can also be a great tool for communication in projects. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.
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WBS
(07 Jul 2008)
In this podcast Ricardo Vargas talks about the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and explains that it is a visual graphic representation of the project. He also mentions how it should be split up to reaching a work package. He explains the best way to decompose it so that it doesnt get too much or too little detailed. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.
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Kick-off Meeting
(19 Jan 2009)
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.
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Baseline
(02 Feb 2009)
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.
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Lessons Learned
(23 Feb 2009)
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.
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Assumptions and Constraints in Projects
(13 Apr 2009)
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.
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Agile Project Management and Scrum 1 of 2
(25 May 2009)
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 an initial contact with Agile and Scrum and tries in this podcast to talk a little more about how Agile and Scrum work. It is important to emphasize that Ricardo is not an specialist in this subject.
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Agile Project Management and Scrum 2 of 2
(01 Jun 2009)
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.
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Project Versus Routine
(13 Jul 2009)
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.
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Born or Not to Born with Soft Skills? This is the Question
(12 Jul 2010)
In this podcast Ricardo talks about the soft skills of leadership. He gives tips to capitalize these skills and explains the difference between being born with these skills or acquire them with training.
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What is the real meaning of the word project?
(23 Aug 2010)
In this podcast, Ricardo discusses the definition of the word "project". He says that the word "project" has two meanings. The first is related to the endeavor needed to produce a unique product or service, as presented in the PMBOK® Guide.
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How to Do Everything Wrong in a Project: The New Brazilian Power Socket
(20 Sep 2010)
In this podcast Ricardo talks about the compulsory change in the power socket to the new standard. He aims to analyze what he believes are the main failures in the project with respect to the reasons for the change, including the increase in competitiveness for the Brazilian industry, and the decision process based contrary of what we call global marketplace.
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Defining Project Success - Part 1 of 2
(31 Jan 2011)
In this podcast Ricardo discusses the importance of characterizing the successful execution of a project by the regularity and precision of results and not by overcoming the plan. The project plan should be implemented and not necessarily overcome. The worries with deadlines and challenging costs should be part of initial planning and not part of the project execution. Part 1 of 2.
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Defining Project Success – Part 2 of 2
(06 Feb 2011)
In this second podcast of the series, Ricardo talks about the success in projects from the perspective of the sponsor or the executive. He explains that the project must be aligned with the company's strategic planning, generate strategic benefits, financial results and that these benefits should be defined at the initiation of the project.
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When is the best moment to implement Project Management Software
(05 Dec 2011)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the support tools for project management and the best time to instal them. He explains that there are several softwares on the market that are excellent, but installing a project management tool without a defined methodological process can be a big mistake because the tool must be adapted to the work process.
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What is the Difference Between WBS Item, Work Package, Tasks and WBS Dictionary?
(26 Mar 2012)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks in detail about the components of the WBS. He gives several examples and tips, and explains that the WBS is a fundamental tool for the project and will ensure that the project will deliver the service or product that is being done in the least amount of work possible.
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10 Reasons for Project Failure - Part 1 of 2
(05 Apr 2012)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the 10 main causes of project failure. Just knowing what can go wrong in our project, helps us to avoid it. Five causes are discussed this week and the other five, next week. Ricardo also comments briefly on the PMI Pulse 2012, recently published by PMI.
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10 Reasons for Project Failure - Part 2 of 2
(10 Apr 2012)
In this second podcast in the series, Ricardo talks about five more causes for the failure of a project. He commented about the importance of communication, project planning, change management, leadership and resources for the project.
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The Four Stages of Learning and Their Applicability in the Understanding of Projects
(21 May 2012)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about learning techniques and their applicability in the understanding of projects. He explains what are the four stages of learning and how they are divided into two areas: Competence and Conscience.
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5 Tips For Selling Project Management in your Company
(11 Jun 2012)
In this podcast, Ricardo gives us 5 tips on how to sell the idea of project management to people outside the area, i.e., how we can do the right marketing for people with different perceptions of those from projects managers.
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The Gray Area between Projects and Processes
(06 Aug 2012)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the "gray area" where mingle conceptually projects and processes. He cites some examples to explain what distinguishes a project of a routine process.
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Project Management as a Life Skill
(03 Sep 2012)
In this podcast, Ricardo invites us to think in the Project Management concepts as skills for the personal and professional lives of any person, not just project managers. Much of what is discussed in project management and many of its tools may be useful in various professions such as lawyers, teachers, writers, etc.
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Understanding that Processes and Projects are not the same thing
(21 Oct 2013)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the differences between processes and projects. There is still much confusion in people's minds about the characteristics and purposes of one or the other. Ricardo seeks to remedy this confusion by bringing a few examples that illustrate each case.
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Do you really know the meaning of the different tasks relationships? - Part 1 of 2
(27 Jan 2014)
In this first podcast of two, Ricardo talks about the types of relationships between the activities in the schedule. It's a simple concept but a lot of people do not fully understand when putting it into practice. This week, Ricardo explains when to use the Finish-to-Start and Start-to-Start links. Next week, he will talk about the remaining two types, the End-to-End, and Start-to-Finish.
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Do you really know the meaning of the different tasks relationships? - Part 2 of 2
(03 Feb 2014)
In this podcast, Ricardo continues to talk about the types of relationships between the activities in the schedule. Today he tackles the Finish-to-Finish and the Start-to-Finish types. At the end, he leaves a great tip.
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The Responsibility Assignment Matrix – RACI
(22 Oct 2014)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the responsibility assignment matrix – RACI, a very useful information tool in Human Resources, Communications and Stakeholders management. This matrix associate tasks and the people/functions responsible for them using the categories: Responsible (R), Accountable (A), Consulted (C) and Informed (I).
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The best way to read the PMBOK® Guide
(31 Jan 2018)
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.
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