Notre Dame: 5 PM Lessons from History's Most Watched Restoration

5 Minutes Podcast with Ricardo Vargas

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 transparency, and resolving debates about preserving historical integrity versus modernization; (3) managing resilient risk, overcoming challenges such as lead contamination, COVID-19 delays, and the unexpected death of project leader Jean-Louis Georgelin; (4) blending innovation and tradition with 3D scanning alongside centuries-old craftsmanship; and (5) balancing speed and quality, ensuring historical integrity while using modern fire prevention measures. This achievement celebrates human ingenuity and teamwork.

Listen to the podcast to know more.