Scope Management

In this episode, Ricardo introduces the concept of nano projects: ultra-short, highly focused initiatives lasting just a few days, designed to generate value quickly. Unlike megaprojects, which require months or years, nano projects respond to the need for speed and adaptation in a fast-paced world. Examples include testing a marketing channel in five days, redesigning hospital processes in a week, or running rapid pilots in the public sector.

In this week's episode, Ricardo explains the "broken windows" theory, which originated in criminology, and how it applies to project management. The central idea is that minor signs of disorder, when ignored, lead to bigger problems. In projects, accepting delays or failures without correction sends the message that quality and discipline are unimportant, opening the door to widespread carelessness.

In this episode, Ricardo explores the paradox of projects that were executed with excellence — on time, on budget, and within the original scope — but ultimately fail to deliver real value because the world changed during execution. The pandemic, accelerated digital transformation, new regulations, or even political and social shifts can make what was promised at the start of the project no longer relevant at the time of delivery.

Ricardo Vargas Explains: Bracelets, Beats, and Big Stages: Lessons from a Taylor Swift Concert … This week, I created the podcast episode in a different way in the second time. Instead of recording only the audio, I also recorded it in video. It is absolutely the same version, but it will give all listeners a bit of a taste of how I create the podcasts. Last Friday, I attended the Taylor Swift concert in Lisbon with my family.