5 Minutes Podcast with Ricardo Vargas

Mar 02 2025 714 ep. 6 mins

5 Minutes Podcast with Ricardo Vargas artwork

Since 2007, Ricardo Vargas publishes the 5 Minutes Podcast where he addresses in a quick and practical way the main topics on project, portfolio and risk management.

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Trailer – 5 Minutes Podcast

Stop Complaining About Your Project: Less Whining, More Winning

Mar 02 2025 5 mins

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 tools, and that complaining alone

Why Can Feedback Make or Break Projects?

Feb 23 2025 5 mins

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 situation, what happened, and its i

Managing Projects in Chaos: 5 Practical Tips for Project Leaders

Feb 16 2025 5 mins

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) Keep calm. These principles help

Why Project Sponsorship is One of The TOP Reasons for Project Failure

Feb 09 2025 5 mins

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 often introduce new risks, as new sp

Using What-if Analysis to Manage Projects in Extremely Volatile Scenarios

Feb 02 2025 6 mins

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 highlights that dismissing unlikely

DeepSeek: How a small Chinese start-up Shocked Silicon Valley and May Reshape Entirely AI Projects

Jan 26 2025 6 mins

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 models without massive inf

How the WEF Global Risk Report 2025 Shapes the Future of Our Projects

Jan 19 2025 7 mins

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 events, and the rise of misinfor

How to Make and Live with Imperfect Decisions in Projects

Jan 12 2025 9 mins

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 complex, high-stakes scenarios, helpi

5 Strategies to Boost Your Project Management Career in 2025

Jan 05 2025 12 mins

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. Ricardo emphasizes the importance of li