Global Tech Meltdown: How Secure is Your Project?

In this episode, Ricardo introduces the AI-Driven Project Manager Certification, explaining the rationale behind this certification. He highlights the growing hype around AI, with many project managers using AI terms without understanding the technology. The certification aims to ensure that professionals have the knowledge needed to manage AI-driven projects effectively. Developed in partnership with APMG, known for its Prince2 and ITIL credentials, the certification is rigorous and severe. Ricardo also highlights the importance of preparing for the future impact of AI on project management, noting that his motivation is not just business-driven but aimed at promoting awareness and readiness among professionals.

In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the common problem of project backlogs that grow instead of shrinking. He offers three practical tips for managing them effectively: (1) Accept that your backlog will never be empty. (2) Prioritize tasks through “radical prioritization,” focusing only on what really matters and delegating or discarding the rest. (3) Control what goes into the backlog, using a “parking lot” for ideas that may not be immediately essential. Ricardo emphasizes the complexity of projects and the importance of making strategic decisions to avoid unnecessary tasks in the project. Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Ricardo talks about PMI’s AI Prompt Engineering for Project Managers course in this episode. He highlights the importance of crafting effective prompts using AI tools like ChatGPT. Essential guidelines include being specific, providing context, setting the right tone, knowing your audience, ensuring clarity, and using structured prompts. Ricardo also stresses the need to experiment, test, and refine prompts for the best results. He encourages PMI members to take the course, praising its value for project management professionals. PMI does not sponsor the episode, but Ricardo shares his genuine appreciation for the course. Listen to the podcast to learn more. ** Check out PMI's Talking to AI course

In this episode, Ricardo explains the differences between OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). While both are measurement tools, they serve different purposes. KPIs track ongoing processes, offering real-time insights into performance, such as project progress in terms of time and cost. OKRs, on the other hand, are goal-setting frameworks that push teams toward ambitious targets. Unlike KPIs, OKRs are time-bound and tied to specific objectives. Ricardo emphasizes that OKRs and KPIs are distinct and should not be considered subsets of one another despite their measurement functions. Listen to the podcast to learn more.

In this podcast, Ricardo addresses a skeptical comment about AI's impact on project management, specifically questioning whether AI will diminish the role of project managers and PMI's responsibility in shutting down AI. Ricardo emphasizes that neither he nor his colleague Antonio are pushing an AI agenda for profit. Instead, they believe in AI's transformative potential and advocate for preparedness through education and training. Ricardo argues that adaptation is crucial as AI changes the field, and institutions like PMI are working to guide project managers in navigating these changes. He stresses the importance of understanding AI to thrive in the future. Listen to the podcast to learn more.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the importance of understanding emotions in project management, emphasizing that human challenges often outweigh technical ones. He introduces the "Wheel of Emotions" by Robert Plutchik, which categorizes eight primary emotions into pairs of opposites, helping project managers recognize and manage emotions in themselves and their teams. Ricardo explains how this tool can improve communication and team cohesion by addressing emotions like fear, trust, and disgust. He acknowledges that while the model may simplify complex emotions, it is a valuable resource for non-experts in psychology to enhance emotional awareness in project management. Listen to the podcast to learn more. * The Plutchik Wheel can be downloaded Here * Image: @The Scientific Research Society and SixSeconds

What happens when a project loses the project manager or an absolutely critical member? In this episode, Ricardo discusses the challenges of changing project manager mid-project. He explains that it is costly and risky due to potential accountability issues, where the new manager may blame the predecessor. To mitigate these issues, he advises keeping documentation organized and project files clear. Effective stakeholder management and communication are crucial to avoid rumors and misunderstandings. Ricardo emphasizes the importance of clear and formal communication to avoid misinformation. He concludes by saying that changing project manager significantly impacts the dynamics of the project. Listen to the podcast to learn more *Image generated by PMOtto for ChatGPT

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the virtuous cycle in AI development, based on Andrew Ng's Coursera course, "AI for Everyone," and highlights the importance of creating AI projects that intersect with business value. Ricardo explains that more data improves algorithms and services, attracting more users, which generates more data and creates a virtuous cycle, leading to some companies dominating AI due to their vast data resources. Ricardo also suggests using existing large language models with fine-tuning for specific applications and recommends Andrew Ng's course for a better understanding of the fundamentals of AI. Listen to the podcast to learn more.

In this episode, Ricardo discusses a recent global computer meltdown that affected 1% of Microsoft Windows computers, causing chaos across multiple industries. He comments on the risks of relying on unique technologies, using an example from his own business. Ricardo distributes his technological needs among several suppliers (Apple, Google, AWS, Dropbox) to mitigate risks. He advises companies to plan for technology failures by diversifying the use of technology, ensuring backup solutions, and preparing for different scenarios to maintain operations. Ricardo concludes that understanding and managing risks is crucial for effective decision-making and business continuity. Listen to the podcast to learn more Image from Wikimedia

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the OpenAI ranking to classify AI systems, highlighting the importance of clearly communicating these advances to the general public. The ranking has five levels: 1- Chatbots that support but do not replace jobs, 2 - Systems that solve problems at the human level, 3 - AI capable of taking action, Innovative AI, 4 - Creating new products, 5 - Complex organizational operations managed by AI. We are currently at level 1 and progressing to level 2. Ricardo comments that this clear communication helps us understand the direction and potential of future technology. Listen to the podcast to learn more. * Image generated by PMOtto on ChatGPT