In this episode, Ricardo discusses the “Jeitinho Brasileiro” — the Brazilian way of solving problems creatively, often with limited resources. While this ingenuity is a strength, it becomes risky when improvisation turns into standard practice. He shares a story of a glass installer who used chewing gum instead of putty, which worked but became a habit. In projects, this mindset can lead to poor documentation, rushed timelines, and weak planning. Flexibility is vital, but it must not replace structured processes. True project maturity comes from building sustainable systems, not relying on last-minute fixes. Creativity should be embraced, but always directed toward lasting, professional solutions — not temporary patches.

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#processes, #risks, #projectplan


When the Brazilian Way Becomes a Trap: The Risk of Normalizing Improvisation

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

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. Therefore, it's crucial to quickly correct violations, maintain organized processes, and set an example of consistency and accountability. It's not about micromanaging, but about demonstrating that attention to detail protects the project. Often, it's not major disasters that destroy it, but the accumulation of minor oversights that undermine trust and results.

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How Many Broken Windows Are You Tolerating in Your Project?

No episódio desta semana, Ricardo explica a teoria das “janelas quebradas”, originada na criminologia, e como ela se aplica ao gerenciamento de projetos. A ideia central é que pequenos sinais de desordem, quando ignorados, levam a problemas maiores. Em projetos, aceitar atrasos ou falhas sem correção transmite a mensagem de que qualidade e disciplina não são importantes, abrindo espaço para descuido generalizado. Por isso, é fundamental corrigir rapidamente violações, manter processos organizados e dar exemplo de consistência e responsabilidade. Não se trata de micro gerenciar, mas de mostrar que atenção aos detalhes protege o projeto. Muitas vezes não são grandes desastres que o destroem, mas o acúmulo de pequenas negligências que comprometem a confiança e os resultados.

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Quantas Janelas Quebradas Você Tolera no Seu Projeto?

In this week's episode, Ricardo questions whether artificial intelligence (AI) actually reduces project risks or creates new ones. While it helps predict delays, identify flaws, and minimize errors, AI can create invisible risks, such as data bias, which distorts results, and "blind trust," when professionals accept predictions without critical analysis. Another risk is technological dependence: if the tool fails or disappears, the project could stall. There are also ethical and legal questions about who is responsible for AI's misguided decisions. Vargas emphasizes that AI is neither a villain nor an absolute solution. It should be seen as an ally, but always with human oversight, contingency plans, and clear accountability from managers.

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AI: Reducing Risks or Creating New Challenges?

No episódio desta semana, Ricardo questiona se a inteligência artificial (IA) realmente reduz riscos em projetos ou se também cria novos. Embora ajude a prever atrasos, identificar falhas e minimizar erros, a IA pode gerar riscos invisíveis, como viés nos dados, que distorce resultados, e a “confiança cega”, quando profissionais aceitam previsões sem análise crítica. Outro risco é a dependência tecnológica: se a ferramenta falhar ou desaparecer, o projeto pode parar. Há ainda questões éticas e legais sobre quem responde por decisões equivocadas da IA. Vargas reforça que a IA não é vilã nem solução absoluta. Ela deve ser vista como aliada, mas sempre com supervisão humana, planos de contingência e responsabilidade clara dos gestores.

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IA: Reduzindo Riscos ou Criando Novos Desafios?

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.

When the Brazilian Way Becomes a Trap: The Risk of Normalizing Improvisation

Ricardo Viana Vargas - 5 Minutes Podcast

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