What's an accidental project manager, you ask? Anyone who suddenly and unexpectedly finds themselves responsible for a project. Maybe the home remodel project turned out to be a little more difficult and complex than you expected. An organization you volunteer for may need a project to build a new wing for an orphanage and asks you to help. Or your manager gave you a project management book and put you in charge of an important work project. Congratulations, you just became an accidental project manager! This book is the missing project management "quick start" guide for beginners, accidental, aspiring new project managers, and for those exploring project management careers or looking for a refresher. A process and an acronym will help the accidental project manager remember the essential steps of projects. It's Ray's PROJECT method: Chapter #1: The "P" - P is for People Chapter #2: The "R" - R is for Requirements Chapter #3: The "O" - O is for Organize Chapter #4: The "J" - J is for Jell Chapter #5: The "E" - E is for Execute Chapter #6: The "C" - C is for Control Chapter #7: The "T" - T is for Transfer The purpose of the PROJECT method is to get you started quickly, not make you an expert or teach you everything you need to know. This book is written as a business fable to help deliver the messages. It follows the method as it is applied to a fictional yet realistic organization and accidental project manager. This makes the character and the process more relatable and memorable to the reader. Each chapter is devoted to a step of the method and ends with "Knowledge Nuggets" – tips, basic project management templates, and references for further reading and study. References include sections of the Project Management Body of Knowledge ( PMBOK® Guide ), the Project Management Institute's ( PMI ) standards for project management. Templates include: - Stakeholder Register - Communications Plan - Requirements Planning - Requirements Document - WBS Dictionary - Milestone Plan - Risk Analysis - Virtual Team Contact - Kickoff Agenda - Project Control Chart - Change Request - Status Report - Team Member Evaluation - Lessons Learned All templates are available online and ready-to-use with pre-filled examples. In his latest book, Accidental Project Manager, Ray shares the story of Rhett Sero and weaves into each chapter the essence of what it's like to be an accidental project manager. It's written with a"quick start" method called "PROJECT" for accidental PMs to practice, learn, and put into immediate action. A must-read for any new project manager to learn how to move from "Zero to Hero in 7 Days". Naomi Caietti Author,Transform Your Leadership! Managing Director, Naomi Caietti Consulting Folsom, California Those of us who actually started as "Accidental Project Managers" (but may be slow to admit it) would have benefited from this this book when we ourselves made the transition from subject specialist to project manager. Much to be recommended. Dr. Deasún Ó Conchúir CEng FIET FIEI PMP Project Consultant, Scatterwork Switzerland This book is a winning combination of valuable learning material combined in an organized and easy to read "story type" narrative. There is an intentional absence of jargon. But an abundance of good guiding principles for the "accidental project manager". I would have benefited from this book when I started out. Murray Grooms, PMP BC, Canada Highly recommended read, the style and the content are highly readable and should be very relatable for all functional managers being asked to work as Project Managers in addition to their 'normal work'. This book presents an easily usable framework to help you get results and increase your chances of efficient execution. Deji Ishmael London, England and Lagos, Nigeria Now that you have read this book, what are you waiting for? Start your P.R.O.J.E.C.T! This book contains best practices and easy-to-read advice that flows really well and applies to both new and expert project managers. Nitin Kundeshwar Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Accidental Project Manager aid's today's work force by supporting future opportunities in the field of project management without attending formal training. As a member of the armed forces this piques my interest and I believe that service members soon transferring out of the military could use this as a guide if they are hired as a project manager. The information included is a value-added connection for any service member by providing relative information, examples, and tips to aid them in the project manager journey. Lance M. Oufnac A beautifully written book on Project Management which covers almost all the basic PM skills to help an accidental PM to deliver the successful project, this book can also be referred by an experienced PM as a refresher. Pramit Kumar, PgMP, PMP Pune Area, India It was the fall and the room was full of accidental project managers.  I was teaching a State of Californi