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Hi everyone. Ricardo Vargas here. Welcome to the Five Minutes podcast. Today, a very special podcast. So what I'm doing is in the past ten days, I have released every day a different video, a one-minute video about one potential trend that we may face as project managers. And I decided this time to record a podcast, but not to repeat myself. And I said, look, I want someone else to analyze these big ideas. So, I put this inside the LLM notebook from Google, and I put these videos there. I asked the LLM notebook to generate a podcast episode with two participants talking and reflecting on the big trend. So what you will hear in a couple of seconds are not human voices, but it's all 100% generated by AI. And I did that with one main intention, which is, of course, to get a different perspective using AI and also to show how some of the disruptions we were talking about on the big ideas. They are really much closer than most of us think about. So listen to that. And it's now starting the festive time. So, for those celebrating Christmas, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. And next week I plan to do a transition for 2025 on the next episode of the five Minutes podcast. So now stay with the stars of the show. My hosts from notebook LM. I hope you enjoy it and see you next time.
All right, so we're taking a deep dive today into the future of project management. Sounds exciting. Yeah, it is Ricardo. You know the project management guru? Yeah, yeah. He released these ten short videos, each one highlighting a trend for 2025 and beyond. Wow. He actually challenged us to kind of, you know, riff off of his ideas. So we're going to add our own spin in this deep dive into all these different trends. Oh, this is going to be good. Ricardo is always ahead of the curve.
It's going to be fascinating to see what he thinks is coming down the pike for all of us.
For sure. And these aren't just, you know, fads or anything like that. These are really, um, potential game changers, things that can reshape how we work, how we manage teams, how we deliver projects successfully. Absolutely. Okay, so let's jump right in his first bold prediction. Deadlines are dying.
Oh, wow.
Right I know right. Like, how can you manage a project without deadlines? But hold on. Because what he's really talking about is this shift from, you know, rigid timelines to a more flexible model, one that's centered around achieving outcomes. You know, in a world that's changing so rapidly, sticking to these arbitrary deadlines, it can actually stifle creativity and problem solving.
Yeah, it makes sense. It's kind of like clinging to something that may no longer be relevant.
Exactly. Think about it. Right. If a major obstacle comes up in your project, do you compromise quality just to meet that initial deadline? Right? Or do you adapt? Do you adjust and ultimately deliver the best possible outcome, even if it takes a little bit longer?
That's the key, isn't it?
It is. And this is where technology comes in. Okay. Ricardo envisions AI and predictive tools helping teams kind of adjust timelines on the fly based on the data that's coming in in real time. Exactly. So it's not about ditching deadlines altogether. It's about evolving how we approach them, becoming more agile and responsive.
So the focus shifts from hitting that specific date to achieving measurable results, results that actually deliver value.
Exactly. All right. So his second prediction dives into this concept called digital twins. He even suggests that they could become our future project managers. I mean, that sounds like something out of a sci fi movie, right?
It does. But when you really think about it, maybe not so farfetched.
Yeah, exactly. So what he's talking about is using AI to create simulations of entire projects. These digital twins can basically, um, anticipate potential problems before they even happen. Really? Yeah. They can test different scenarios. They can help manage resources in real time. It's almost like having a super intelligent assistant, constantly analyzing data and giving you insights to guide your decisions. So it's not.
Just about avoiding those last minute scrambles and fire drills that always seem to happen, right? It's about fundamentally changing how we approach risk, how we allocate resources, even how we make decisions. I mean, can you imagine a construction project where the digital twin predicts delays because of bad weather or supply chain issues weeks in advance? That would.
Be amazing.
Think of the headaches you could avoid, the time and the money you could save, right?
It makes you wonder why we weren't using these things all along.
Totally.
All right. His third prediction geopolitics will reshape project risks Now, this one feels a little bit, um, a little more serious, right?
It does. And it highlights, I think, um, a growing need for project managers to think globally. I mean, think about it. Political instability, trade wars, climate change, even. These are all things that can disrupt projects, you know, on a global scale, right?
So it's not just about managing risks within your own little project bubble. It's about understanding this interconnectedness of the global landscape.
Right, and being prepared for the unexpected.
Exactly. And that requires a real shift in thinking it's not enough to react to things as they happen. Successful project managers need to anticipate potential disruptions and build in those contingencies.
I like that it's about proactive planning, being prepared, not just reacting. Right.
Okay, let's move on to prediction number four. Um, this one's a little more human centered. Gen Z will demand purpose driven projects.
Oh, interesting. Yeah. This is something that I think we are already seeing. Right?
We are this younger generation coming into the workforce, their very values driven. They want their work to have meaning. To contribute to something bigger than themselves. They're looking for a job with a purpose, right? Not just a job.
Absolutely. So how does this impact project management? I mean, are we all going to have to start, you know, incorporating social impact initiatives into every project plan?
Well, it's not necessarily about adding, you know, a social impact element to every single project. It's more about understanding the values of your team, right, and connecting their work to those values. It's about framing projects in a way that resonates with their desire to make a difference.
So how do you, as a project manager, communicate the purpose of a project effectively? I mean, not every project is going to be, you know, saving the rainforest or curing a disease.
Right, right. But even seemingly mundane projects can contribute to a larger goal. Okay. It's the project manager's job to kind of connect those dots, help the team see how their individual contributions fit into the bigger picture. And sometimes, you know the purpose can be found in the process itself. What do.
You mean? So, for example, maybe the project is about streamlining a workflow or improving efficiency. Right now, that might not sound super inspiring on the surface, but if it frees up the team to focus on more creative, fulfilling work, well then there's a purpose there.
I love that it's about finding the meaning, even in those what seem to be smaller tasks.
Exactly. Okay, onto his fifth prediction. Emotional. I will manage team morale in real time. Now, this one sounds a little creepy to me. I don't know about you.
I can see why you'd say that. You know the idea of AI analyzing our emotions. It feels intrusive, right? Yeah, but think of it this way. As project managers, we're always trying to get a sense of the team's morale. We're looking for signs of stress, burnout, conflict. But sometimes those signs are subtle and we miss them. Especially now with so many people working remotely or in hybrid environments.
So what are you saying? I could act as like an early warning system. Like flagging potential issues to managers before they become major problems. That's it. I mean, imagine software that analyzes communication patterns, email tone, even facial expressions during video calls. And then, you know, it alerts the manager to any potential red flags. It's not about replacing human intuition or empathy. It's about providing additional data to help us understand and support our teams well-being.
Okay, that makes me feel a little better about the whole, uh, emotional AI thing. Sure, it's about using technology to enhance our capabilities, not replace us.
Right, exactly. And remember, this is still a new and emerging technology. There are definitely ethical considerations, potential downsides, but if it's used responsibly, emotional AI could be really valuable for creating healthier, more supportive work environments.
Okay, so we've covered five of Ricardo's predictions. We're halfway there. I don't know about you, but I'm already feeling like I need to rethink some of my own project management approaches.
Me too. It's amazing how these ideas, which seem so futuristic, are actually just around the corner. Right.
They're not science fiction anymore. They're becoming reality. And that's what makes this so exciting.
I can't wait to see what the next five predictions hold. This is really making me think. Same here. Welcome back. Ready to jump into the next five predictions? Oh, absolutely.
I'm particularly intrigued by this one immersive collaboration through Mixed reality. That sounds like something out of Ready Player.
One, right? Like working together in a virtual world? Yeah, it's pretty close. Ricardo is talking about using mixed reality. Mr.. To break down those geographical barriers, you know, to make collaboration more powerful, more engaging. Okay.
But for those of us who are not tech wizards, what exactly is mixed reality? How is it different from virtual reality?
Okay, so VR creates a completely separate digital world, right? But Mr. blends the digital and the real world together. So you're wearing a headset, you can see your actual surroundings, but you're also interacting with these digital objects and data.
Okay, so it's like having a 3D blueprint superimposed on a real construction site.
Exactly. Or being able to manipulate parts of a machine virtually while you're standing right in front of it.
Wow, that would be incredible. Especially for fields like, um, architecture, engineering, manufacturing.
Right. Training new employees could be revolutionized. Imagine they could practice complex procedures in a safe virtual environment.
And think about the possibilities for global teams. No more boring conference calls or just staring at shared screens with the Mr.. Everyone can work together as if they were in the same room, no matter where they are in the world.
It's mind blowing when you think about it.
Okay, so I'm officially adding get an Mr. headset to my shopping list. But moving on. Ricardo's seventh prediction is radical transparency through real time data sharing. Now, this one honestly sounds a little, uh, a little scary to me.
Yeah, I get it. It's a big shift from the way a lot of projects are managed now where information is, you know, kind of controlled and shared on a need to know basis. But what Ricardo is proposing is a future where all project data is just open and accessible to everyone involved stakeholders, team members, everyone.
Wait, so you're saying no more waiting for weekly status reports?
Exactly. Everyone sees exactly what's happening in real time through dashboards and other visualization tools.
Wow. So no more hiding.
Well, that's one way to put it. But really, it's about building trust and accountability. Okay, I see that. Yeah.
When everyone has the same information, you can't really have silos or people working in isolation, right? Right.
It promotes collaboration, encourages people to solve problems proactively.
But doesn't that put a lot of pressure on project managers? Like if everyone can see everything, you can't really, you know, sweep things under the rug.
True. But it also forces you to be organized, communicative, Proactive.
Okay. And ultimately, I guess it leads to better decision making because everyone has the latest information. Exactly. So maybe radical transparency isn't so scary after all. Maybe not. All right. Next up is prediction number eight. Hybrid work requires hybrid leadership. So what does that even mean?
It's like, you know how leadership has traditionally been about the manager being physically present, being in control. That doesn't really work anymore. In a world where so many people are working remotely or in hybrid setups.
So hybrid leadership means being able to lead both virtually and in person, right? Switching back and forth seamlessly.
Yeah. It's about mastering digital communication tools, but also understanding the nuances of face to face interaction. It's about building trust with team members you may only see once in a while, while also fostering that sense of connection and community among the whole team.
It sounds like a tricky balancing act. Are there any specific skills that are essential for hybrid leadership communication?
For sure. You have to be clear and effective across all these different platforms. You know, email, video conferencing, instant messaging and empathy is really important too. People have different working styles and preferences, especially in a hybrid environment.
And you probably need to be good at delegating empowering your team members to make decisions on their own.
Oh, absolutely. Trust is key. You have to trust your team to do the work even when you're not right there watching over their shoulder.
So you set clear expectations. You communicate openly. You check in regularly.
Exactly. It's not just about logistics. It's about building a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability that goes beyond physical location. All right.
So hybrid leadership is much more complex than it might seem at first glance. It is. Okay. Let's move on to prediction number nine. Sustainability metrics will dominate project success. This seems to align with the whole, you know, ESG focus that we're seeing everywhere. It does.
What Ricardo is saying here is that sustainability is no longer just a nice to have. It's becoming a core measure of whether a project is truly successful.
So are we going to see things like carbon footprint calculations, fair labor practices, community engagement, those kinds of things becoming standard parts of project plans? Absolutely.
And it's not just about checking boxes, you know, to comply with regulations. It's about really integrating sustainability into the project's DNA.
Right from the very beginning. This actually reminds me of what Ricardo said about purpose driven projects. The two seem connected, right?
For sure, projects that are sustainable are naturally going to have a positive impact.
And that's going to attract those values driven Gen Z workers that we talked about earlier.
Exactly. It all comes full circle.
All right. So we've reached Ricardo's final prediction. And this one feels like it brings together a lot of the trends we've been discussing the rise of adaptive project ecosystems. Okay. Break that down for me. What does that even mean?
It means we need to be more flexible and agile in how we structure and manage projects. Ricardo sees a future where traditional hierarchies are replaced with more fluid, adaptable networks.
So instead of the project manager controlling everything from the top down, it's more about empowering teams to make decisions on their own. Right?
It's a shift from like a rigid machine to a dynamic ecosystem. The team becomes like a living organism.
Constantly.
Adapting. Yeah, adapting, evolving, responding to changes. And that requires a lot of trust, collaboration and communication.
I'm envisioning a project team where roles are more fluid. Responsibilities are shared based on who has the right expertise, not just their job title. Exactly.
It's recognizing that everyone has something valuable to contribute, and then creating a structure that allows those contributions to come out.
That's amazing, but it also sounds a little chaotic. How do you make sure everyone is moving in the same direction when everything's so, you know, fluid.
Well, that's where the project manager becomes even more important. Okay. They're like a facilitator, a guide, a connector. They set the direction, they define the goals, they provide the framework, but then they trust the team to self-organize within that framework.
So it's about providing a clear vision and boundaries, but then giving the team the freedom to figure out the details and work their magic.
Yeah, it's a more collaborative and iterative approach. It embraces change and uncertainty. It sees them as opportunities.
This has been an incredible journey through Ricardo's predictions. It's clear that the future of project management is going to be exciting, challenging and full of opportunities. It is.
It's a future where projects are not just about, you know, hitting deadlines and staying under budget. They're about creating value, working together, making a positive impact on the world.
Well said. We've covered a lot of ground here. Maybe our listeners need a moment to, um, process all of this before we move on to our final thoughts.
Yeah. A moment to reflect is always a good idea. All right, so we're back, ready to wrap things up.
Ready when you are. Ricardo's ten predictions for the future of project management. It's been quite a ride, and I'm sure our listeners are, you know, processing all this amazing information. Yeah, we've.
Covered a lot from those dying deadlines to the rise of, uh, those adaptive project ecosystems, remember?
How can I forget? I purpose driven work. It's been a whirlwind. So as we wrap up this deep dive, what are some, like, key takeaways? Yeah, things our listeners should keep in mind, especially as they navigate this rapidly changing world of project management.
Mm. I think the most important thing is to, you know, embrace continuous learning, be adaptable. The world's changing so fast. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. You know what I mean?
Absolutely. It's about being agile, curious, open to new ideas.
Exactly. And don't underestimate the power of relationships.
Oh, that's so true.
Building a strong team, fostering that sense of community. It's crucial, especially now with remote work and all these distributed teams.
It's easy to feel disconnected. So making that effort to connect, to really get to know your team members, it makes a huge difference.
Huge. And it kind of goes hand in hand with, you know, thinking beyond those traditional project management methods, right?
Like those old school linear approaches might not cut it anymore in this new world. Nope.
Explore agile, lean, iterative methodologies. You know, things that are flexible, customer centric, that focus on continuous improvement.
Be willing to challenge the status quo. Find what works best for you, for your team, for your specific project.
And don't forget about technology. There are some incredible tools out there AI powered assistants, those immersive collaboration platforms. They can really help us manage projects better.
But remember, technology is a tool. It is.
Use it wisely. Enhance your human capabilities. Don't try to replace them.
Finding that balance that's the key.
And never lose sight of the purpose.
Oh, yes. Why are you doing this project? What impact do you want to have.
When you have that clear sense of purpose? It gives meaning to everything. It inspires your team. It guides your decisions.
It keeps you grounded, focused on what really matters.
So to sum it all up, as you move forward with your projects, remember, embrace growth. Build those strong relationships, explore new ways of working, use technology.
Wisely, and never lose sight of the purpose. Those are powerful words.
They are the future of project management. It's in our hands.
It's exciting and a little daunting, but definitely inspiring. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today. It's been an incredible deep dive into Ricardo's predictions.
My pleasure. Remember, the future is not set in stone. We get to shape it.
Well said. And on that note, we'll wrap up this episode. Thanks for joining us everyone, and we'll catch you next time for another exciting exploration into the world of project management.
