The Project Manager
Get to know who is the engine that makes the project happen. In these podcasts, you will know the work of the project manager, his key skills and scope of work.
This playlist has 27 episodes.
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Project Manager Roles and Responsibilities
(14 Feb 2007)
Ricardo Vargas presents in this podcast the main roles and responsibilities of the project manager. He also talks about the project manager professional profile to deal with different project scenarios. Content in Brazilian portuguese.
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Networking for the Project Manager - Linkedin
(02 Apr 2007)
Ricardo Vargas talks in this podcast about the Professional networking website Linkedin.com and how this can bring opportunities for the Project manager. He presents his own success case, including the Professional opportunities that appear while business people visited his profile. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.
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Power and Politics in Projects
(05 Nov 2007)
In this podcast Ricardo talks about one of the most important and less discussed themes related to the project manager: the power. Seen by many as something. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.
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The Importance of Negotiations Skills for the Project Manager - Part II
(26 Nov 2007)
In this podcast Ricardo continues talking about the importance of negotiations skills for the project manager. The fist part of this podcast was published in March, 19th and is also available to download. This podcast was recorded only in Brazilian Portuguese. The link below is for the Brazilian Portuguese version.
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Half Sponsor, half manager
(08 Sep 2008)
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.
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The Major Problems of the Project Manager
(26 Jan 2009)
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.
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Are All Project Managers the Same to All Projects?
(08 Jun 2009)
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.
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7 Soft Skills for the Project Manager
(14 Sep 2009)
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.
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Differentiating the Functions of the Project Manager and the Project Management Office
(28 Sep 2009)
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.
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The Project Manager is Not the Project Secretary
(07 Dec 2009)
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.
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Meetings Management - The Nightmare of the Project Manager - Part 1 of 2
(04 Jan 2010)
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.
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Meetings Management – The Nightmare of the Project Manager – Part 2 of 2
(11 Jan 2010)
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.
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I am an New Manager of an Old Project: The Implications of Changing the Project Manager During the Project
(13 Apr 2010)
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.
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Procrastination
(26 Apr 2010)
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".
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Make or Not Make Concessions: The Project Manager's Dilemma
(18 May 2010)
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.
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Project Manager Authority
(14 Apr 2011)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the authority of the Project Manager. He explains that it is very common in projects where the company has a functional or weak matrix structure, project managers with little authority. Ricardo gives some tips on how to increase the authority in projects
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The Power of Positive Feedback
(26 Sep 2011)
In this podcast Ricardo talks about the strength of a positive feedback. He says that we have a culture of giving negative feedback and that we usually do not remember to praise when a good work is done. Ricardo explains that just an email or a comment about the good work is usually enough to motivate anybody, thus leading her/him to make less mistakes in the execution of his/her work. He also explains that a positive feedback must always...
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How many projects a Project Manager can manage at the same time?
(03 Oct 2011)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the number of projects that one person can manage at the same time. He says that there is no a specific number, but explains that the most important is the focus that the project manager must have. Ricardo also says that for very large projects does not justify a project manager to share the work with other projects, but in small projects that have some similarity, the project manager could manage multiple...
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Project Manager and the PMO: Understanding the Issue of the Authority
(12 Jul 2012)
In this podcast, Ricardo shares his understanding about the organization's hierarchy and the project manager. He also explains the differences between the role of the project manager and the role of the project office.
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Project Manager as the New CEO
(20 Aug 2012)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about a discussion launched by PMI: The Project Manager may become the next CEO? What is the role of a CEO? Ricardo explains how the project manager could be prepared to take this position in a corporation.
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Developing your Business Model as Project Manager
(10 Sep 2012)
In this special podcast, Ricardo talks about the book "Business Model You" and the Business Model Canvas. Both inspired him to create the Project Manager's Business Model that he comments in this podcast. There is also be a special video on the site, where Ricardo gives examples of career planning for a GP.
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The Power of Truth in Project Management
(04 Feb 2013)
In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the power of truth. He stresses that the project manager should speak the truth even if the project status is critical.
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Why You Must Be Proud of What You Do?
(27 Jun 2016)
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.
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What Makes a “Great” Project Manager
(01 May 2017)
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?
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Does the Age Matter for a Project Manager?
(08 May 2017)
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.
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Understanding the Fear of the New (Neophobia)
(29 May 2017)
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.
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I'm in Panic: My Project's End is Near
(20 May 2018)
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.
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