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, helping project managers embrace uncertainty and turn imperfect decisions into opportunities.
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#decision-making, #uncertainty, #strategies


How to Make and Live with Imperfect Decisions in Projects

Neste episódio, Ricardo comenta o impacto da AI Act, regulamentação europeia da inteligência artificial (General Purpose AI models). A lei, aprovada em 2024 e em vigor plena em 2026, começou a impor, desde 2/08/25, regras rígidas aos modelos de IA de uso geral, como GPT, Claude e Gemini. Os projetos que usam essas IAs, mesmo como integração simples, também devem seguir exigências sobre ética, privacidade e transparência. Isso muda o papel do gerente de projetos, que agora precisa garantir conformidade legal. Apesar das críticas de que a lei limita a inovação, Ricardo destaca que ela sinaliza maturidade tecnológica. Para ele, adaptar-se é essencial para evitar riscos e agregar valor aos projetos.

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#artificialintelligence, #globalprojects, #negotiation

AI de Propósito Geral no Foco: O que o EU AI Act Significa para Nossos Projetos

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.

Project Delivered, Relevance Lost: When Reality Outpaces Your Scope

Neste episódio, Ricardo explora o paradoxo de projetos que foram executados com excelência — dentro do prazo, do orçamento e do escopo original — mas que, no final, não entregam valor real porque o mundo mudou durante a execução. A pandemia, a transformação digital acelerada, novas regulamentações ou até mudanças políticas e sociais podem fazer com que o que foi prometido no início do projeto já não faça mais sentido no momento da entrega.

Projeto Entregue, Impacto Perdido: Quando a Realidade Supera o Escopo

In this episode, Ricardo Vargas talks about the importance of recognizing and acting on early warning signs — the famous red flags — before small issues become full-blown crises. He shares practical advice and real examples to help create a culture of active risk awareness and psychological safety in project environments.
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Ignoring the Signs Is Costly: The Art of Seeing Red Flags in Projects

Neste episódio, Ricardo Vargas fala sobre a importância de reconhecer e agir diante dos sinais de alerta — os famosos red flags — antes que pequenos desvios se tornem grandes crises. Ele compartilha exemplos práticos e orientações para criar uma cultura de vigilância ativa e segurança psicológica nos projetos.
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Ignorar os Sinais Custa Caro: A Arte de Enxergar Red Flags em Projetos

In this episode, Ricardo introduces five lesser-known AI tools that can transform project management. The first is Study Fetch, which creates personalized tutors from documents, allowing interactive learning and team alignment. The second, Granola, records meetings, generates summaries, and produces prioritized action lists—saving time for project managers. The third, Limitless (formerly Rewind), is a wearable device that records and indexes everything heard or said, enabling quick recall of past conversations, though it raises privacy concerns. The fourth, Mylens, uses computer vision to analyze images and videos, offering insights on progress or issues. Finally, Emlo (Emotion Logic), with tools like FeelGPT and Emotional Diamond, interprets emotions in communication, helping managers understand team morale and prevent conflicts.
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#futureofprojectmanager, #artificialintelligence, #communication

5 AI Tools for Projects You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

5 Ferramentas de IA para Projetos que Você Provavelmente Nunca Ouviu Falar
Neste episódio, Ricardo apresenta cinco ferramentas de inteligência artificial pouco conhecidas que podem transformar o gerenciamento de projetos. A primeira é o Study Fetch, que cria tutores personalizados a partir de documentos, permitindo interações como se fossem com um professor. A segunda é o Granola, que grava reuniões, gera resumos e lista ações priorizadas automaticamente. A terceira é o Limitless (antes Rewind), um dispositivo que registra e indexa tudo que a pessoa fala ou ouve, possibilitando buscas rápidas em memórias passadas. A quarta, Mylens, analisa imagens e vídeos para oferecer insights visuais sobre projetos. Por fim, o Emlo (Emotion Logic) avalia emoções em textos, áudios e reuniões, ajudando a identificar o clima emocional das equipes.
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#futureofprojectmanager, #artificialintelligence, #communication


5 Ferramentas de IA para Projetos que Você Provavelmente Nunca Ouviu Falar

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the concept of "silent success" in projects. Managers often highlight dramatic stories: impossible deadlines met, small teams overcoming limitations, or difficult clients. These narratives attract attention, but true success can be more discreet: well-managed risks, on-time deliveries, a motivated team, and aligned stakeholders. Without memorable crises, this work is often seen as luck or an easy project, when in fact it results from careful planning, constant communication, and early strategic decisions. Ricardo warns that it's necessary to review metrics and value these managers, as they are the ones who truly deliver the expected results, without relying on the spectacle of the crisis.
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#projectsuccess, #decision-making, #stakeholders-management


What to Do When Everything in the Project Goes Right and No One Notices

Neste episódio, Ricardo discute o conceito de “sucesso silencioso” em projetos. Muitas vezes, gestores destacam histórias dramáticas: prazos impossíveis cumpridos, equipes pequenas que superam limites ou clientes difíceis. Essas narrativas chamam atenção, mas o verdadeiro sucesso pode ser mais discreto: riscos bem gerenciados, entregas no prazo, equipe motivada e stakeholders alinhados. Sem crises memoráveis, esse trabalho é frequentemente visto como sorte ou projeto fácil, quando na verdade resulta de planejamento cuidadoso, comunicação constante e decisões estratégicas antecipadas. Ricardo alerta que é preciso rever métricas e valorizar esses gestores, pois são eles que realmente entregam os resultados esperados, sem depender do espetáculo da crise.

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#projectsuccess, #decision-making, #stakeholders-management


O Que Fazer Quando Tudo no Projeto Dá Certo e Ninguém Percebe

Hello

Thanks for visiting my profile. 

I am an experienced leader in global operations, project management, business transformation, and crisis management. My main focus is implementing innovative global initiatives, capital projects, and product development. I have directed dozens of projects across industries and continents, managing more than $20 billion in global initiatives over the past 25 years.

I am a seasoned board member who has participated in the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC) board member program. I was the first Latin American to become chairman of the board of the Project Management Institute globally, where I served for four years. I am also a member of the advisory board of Yera, an Estonian startup dedicated to improving employee performance and engagement through technology and artificial intelligence.

I share my expertise with millions of professionals around the globe through my "5 Minutes Podcast," which I have hosted since 2007 and has reached 12 million views. I've written 16 books on project management, risk and crisis management, and transformation, which have been translated into six languages and sold over half a million copies.

I am a seasoned speaker and have delivered over 250 keynote addresses in 40 countries. My influence on the sector was affirmed when I became the first Latin American to be elected Chairman of the Project Management Institute.

My work as a venture capitalist and entrepreneur in artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, chatbots, and machine learning resulted in tools and products that have revolutionized how users bring agility and agile management into project management software.

More than two decades ago, I founded Macrosolutions, a global consulting firm with international operations in energy, infrastructure, IT, oil, and finance.

Between 2016 and 2020, I envisioned and led the Brightline Initiative, a Project Management Institute think tank in partnership with leading organizations dedicated to helping executives bridge the expensive, unproductive gap between strategy design and delivery.

Before Brightline, I was Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Infrastructure and Project Management Group, leading over 1,000 projects and $1.2 billion in humanitarian and development projects. I was also responsible for the first ESG Report in the UN System, published in 2015.

I have a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, and a master's degree in Industrial Engineering.

How to Make and Live with Imperfect Decisions in Projects

Ricardo Viana Vargas - 5 Minutes Podcast