In this episode, Ricardo reflects on the end of Skype's cycle. Created in 2003 in Estonia, the application revolutionized online communication, allowing free voice calls and being essential for families, companies, and project managers. Acquired by eBay in 2005 and by Microsoft in 2011, Skype lost ground to more modern solutions such as Zoom, Whats…

The AI Index Report 2025, published annually by Stanford University, is a key global reference that tracks the progress, trends, and impact of artificial intelligence. In this podcast, Ricardo highlights how AI is advancing rapidly, reshaping industries, and demanding new skills from professionals, especially in project management. He emphasizes th…

In this episode, Ricardo explores the concept of “Risk Lensing”, the idea that risk is shaped by individual perceptions rather than objective data. He uses the example of a child climbing a tree to show how various people can have different perspectives on the same event. Understanding how stakeholders view opportunities and risks is more important…

In this episode of the 5 Minutes Podcast, Ricardo explores John Maeda’s Ten Laws of Simplicity as a guide for project managers seeking focus, flow, and impact. Key principles include reducing non-essential elements, organizing work clearly, using time efficiently, embracing learning and diversity, and linking tasks to purpose. Emotional intelligenc…

In this episode, Ricardo discusses how to handle stalled negotiations, using the U.S.–China trade tensions as a case study. He highlights that project managers often face deadlocks not due to unsolvable problems, but due to repeated arguments. Instead of pushing harder, Ricardo suggests pausing, reframing the issue, and focusing on interests rather…

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the impact of tariffs and global trade tensions on project management. He shares five practical tips: (1) Review international dependencies to assess risks to cost and timelines; (2) Diversify suppliers to reduce vulnerability to specific countries; (3) Update risk analysis to include political and economic uncert…

In this episode, Ricardo emphasizes the importance of monitoring corporate support in projects. Projects often start with enthusiasm, but as challenges arise, support may wane. Ignoring this decline can lead to failure. Ricardo advises openly addressing the issue with stakeholders, even if it's uncomfortable. Recognizing when support is lost allows…

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the impact of Vibe Coding, an approach where generative AI writes code based on natural language commands. He highlights that this technology could revolutionize software project management, making traditional planning less relevant. With faster execution and instant corrections, the need for documents and process…

In this second episode of the SXSW series, Ricardo shares insights from South by Southwest, highlighting three major trends: (1) the evolution of artificial intelligence, with adaptive models learning in real-time and energy consumption challenges; (2) advances in biotechnology, including projects to resurrect extinct species; and (3) the impact of…

Ricardo recorded this special 5 Minutes Podcast from SXSW in Austin, Texas, where he explores AI and technology trends in project management. Key insights include small language models optimized for specific tasks, biotech integrating neuron cells into computing, AI’s influence on human behavior, and vibe coding, which allows users to build softwar…

In this episode, Ricardo discusses excessive complaining in project management, explaining that it hinders progress. He highlights the need to shift from frustration to action and shares three strategies: Reverse Standups, The Two-Minute Rule, and No-Blame Hackathons. He emphasizes that projects are inherently difficult, requiring methodologies and…

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the importance of effective feedback in project management, emphasizing that poor feedback can be harmful. He highlights common mistakes like vague, generic, or poorly timed feedback. Ricardo advocates for the SBI technique (Situation, Behavior, Impact) to provide clear and constructive feedback, focusing on the s…

In this episode, Ricardo discusses how to manage projects in chaos, inspired by a conversation with Oleg Konovalov. He highlights how noise distorts reality, making it crucial to see beyond immediate challenges. To navigate the chaos, he shares four key tips: 1) Embrace uncertainty, 2) Prioritize ruthlessly, 3) Stay agile, 4) Overcommunicate, and 5…

In this podcast, Ricardo discusses how many project failures are due not to technical issues, budgets, or deadlines but to weak project sponsorship. A senior sponsor is not enough if they are disengaged or unaware of the project’s progress. Sponsors are crucial to solving complex problems and providing executive support. Changes in sponsorship ofte…

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the importance of what-if analysis in navigating volatile scenarios, such as geopolitical changes or unexpected project disruptions. By anticipating potential challenges—like new taxes, supply chain issues, or key team members leaving—project managers can develop contingency plans to adapt quickly. Ricardo highl…

In this episode, Ricardo talks about DeepSeek, a groundbreaking AI application from a small Chinese startup. Unlike other AI models, DeepSeek was trained for just $5.7M—far less than OpenAI’s $100M+ investments—yet it rivals top models like OpenAI’s O1. This breakthrough could disrupt the AI industry, enabling smaller companies to develop advanced …

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025. Released annually, this report highlights the most pressing global challenges and trends, shaping discussions at Davos and significantly influencing project management worldwide. Ricardo examines the top risks for 2025, such as armed conflicts, extreme weather e…

In this episode of the #5minpodcast, Ricardo discusses a challenge every project manager faces: making and living with imperfect decisions. He explains that critical project decisions are often open-ended and filled with uncertainty, unlike the straightforwardness of mathematical problems. Ricardo shares three practical tips he uses to navigate com…

Ricardo kicks off the first 5 Minutes Podcast of 2025 with five priorities for project managers to focus on for personal and professional growth. He encourages continuous education, attending impactful events, learning AI, exploring projects outside one's expertise, and strengthening soft skills like crisis management and conflict resolution. Ricar…

Ricardo wraps up the year on the 5 Minutes Podcast, discussing recurring project delays during the holiday season, a predictable yet often overlooked challenge. He highlights the importance of planning to avoid issues caused by holidays and vacations, emphasizing that these situations occur annually and can be managed proactively. To address this, …

Ricardo Vargas recently published 10 short videos about the 10 big ideas on his mind regarding what could happen in 2025, essentially exploring trends for the future. In doing so, he wanted to record a podcast reflecting on these ideas, but not just from his own perspective. Ricardo aimed to showcase the disruption caused by artificial intelligence…

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the importance of evaluating scenarios and macro trends when planning projects. He explains that the end of the year is an ideal time to reflect on retrospectives and forecasts, using a variety of sources, such as The Economist and Wired, for a broad and informed view. Ricardo shares Big Ideas, a series of refle…

In this episode, Ricardo reflects on the remarkable five-year restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral after its devastating 2019 fire. He highlights five key project management lessons: (1) setting ambitious goals, driven by a bold timeline tied to the Paris 2024 Olympics; (2) unifying diverse stakeholders, managing over €1 billion in grants, ensuring …

In this episode, Ricardo reflects on the sale of Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork The Comedian, a banana taped together with duct tape that cost US$6.2 million. He discusses three lessons that can be applied to projects: (1) the concept of value, highlighting that value resides in the exclusivity of the work, not in the physical object; (2) how communic…

This week, Ricardo celebrates the 25th anniversary of PMI Minas Gerais in this special episode of the 5 Minutes Podcast. Recording from his mother's house in Brazil, he reflects on the collective impact of building this milestone and shares three lessons: remember the path taken, avoid immediacy, and value gratitude. He emphasizes that great achiev…