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Ray W. Frohnhoefer
Managing Partner / CEO at PPC Group, LLC
San Diego, United States
I have a passion for helping new and aspiring project managers launch their careers. My recent books, Accidental Project Manager: Zero to Hero in 7 Days and Risk Assessment Framework: Successfully Navigating Uncertainty, help project managers quickly learn the essential skills they need to start or refresh their careers.
I'm an international program management consultant, speaker, and educator with 35 years of experience managing projects, programs, and portfolios in multiple industries.
For the last 17 years, I've been teaching, training, and mentoring project management students from around the world via online and in-class courses. I work with educational institutions such as UC San Diego Extension and California Southern University. Recent corporate clients have included Breg, Cymer, San Diego County Water Authority, and the US Navy.
My personal mission is to help individuals and organizations improve their practices of project, program, and portfolio management and many of my educational and consulting engagements focus on accidental, new, and aspiring project managers.
Available For: Consulting Travels From: San Diego, California, USA
Ray W. Frohnhoefer
Points
Academic
0
Author
821
Influencer
63
Speaker
0
Entrepreneur
20
Total
904
Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.
The PMP Myth: Why It’s Not a Golden Ticket But Still Matters
Accidental PM
September 28, 2025
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification has been seen as the gold standard for project management credentials. Having PMP on your resume is often assumed to provide higher salaries, job offers, and instant career prestige
The Power of the “P-Word”: Why Good Planning Still Matters
Accidental PM
September 21, 2025
Albert Einstein has often been attributed with saying, “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I'd spend the first 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” Projects deliver strategies and solve problems, too. For decades, technology projects have lived and died on the strength of their planning. Yet in today’s fast-moving world, “plan” has almost become a four-letter word. Many organizations attempt to implement improvisation (and even chaos) disguised as agility or rapid application development (in name only). Others spread resources so thin across too many initiatives that none succeed as well as they could.
How Much Risk Management Is Enough? Finding the Right Balance
Accidental PM
September 14, 2025
Every project, no matter how well planned, has uncertainty that threatens timelines, budgets, or outcomes. Others open the door to opportunities that could accelerate progress or deliver additional value. The question every project leader faces is not whether risks exist, but how much risk management is enough.
Creating Project Environments that Support Innovation
Accidental PM
September 07, 2025
Innovation has always been a driving force behind progress. From the construction of the Great Pyramids to the moon landing, history is filled with projects that met their objectives and also pushed the boundaries of what was possible. Consider the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. It required thousands of people working on coordinated projects, developing new technologies such as the lunar module and guidance computers. Or think of the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge in the late 1800s, which pioneered the use of steel-wire suspension and became a model for modern bridge-building. These projects stand out because they innovated.
Are Agile Certifications Worth It? A Breakdown of CSM, PMI-ACP, and SAFe
Accidental PM
August 31, 2025
In today’s business environment, Agile has evolved far beyond its origins in software development to become a mainstream approach across multiple industries. Organizations prize the agility methodology and mindset. As a result, professionals eager to demonstrate their adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement often consider earning an Agile certification. But with so many options, how do you determine which certification is proper for you, or if it's worth it at all?
Five Keys to Owning Your Project Management Career
Accidental PM
August 24, 2025
This famous Drucker quote holds relevance for those pursuing a career in project management. The profession is constantly evolving, shaped by new methodologies, technologies, and the global pace of change. Waiting passively for opportunities or advancements is no longer enough. If you’re planning to build a meaningful, impactful, and resilient project management career, the time to begin shaping that future is now.
Leading Through Crisis: Essential Leadership Skills For Project Managers
Accidental PM
August 17, 2025
Crises have a way of revealing a leader’s true nature. Whether it’s a sudden budget cut, a critical team member resigning mid-project, or a major stakeholder withdrawing support, project leaders will, at some point, be called to navigate turbulent waters. The difference between those who merely survive a crisis and those who lead their teams through it with strength and clarity often comes down to leadership skill, not technical expertise.
Beyond Plans: Project Success Through Smart Practices and Strong Teams
Accidental PM
August 10, 2025
Projects don’t succeed on planning alone. While solid plans and clear deliverables are essential, they aren’t enough to ensure success in many environments. What distinguishes consistently successful projects is the combination of innovative project management practices and a strong, engaged working culture
10 Things Expected of New Project Managers
Accidental PM
August 03, 2025
Starting a new role as a project manager is a career milestone that can also feel like a step into the unknown. Whether you’ve just earned your certification, transitioned from a team member role, or moved into project management from another field, your first few months on the job are critical. It’s a time of high expectations, not just from yourself, but from the managers who hired you.
Beyond PMP: The Top 5 Emerging Certifications Every PM Should Consider
AccidentaL PM
July 27, 2025
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification has long been recognized as the gold standard. It signifies a grasp of project management fundamentals, a commitment to the profession, and the ability to manage initiatives across industries. But in today’s business environment, the PMP alone may no longer be enough.
How to Sell Risk Management to a Project Sponsor
AccidentaL PM
July 20, 2025
The reasons for this vary, but a common theme is the resistance from project sponsors and senior management. Often, these decision-makers perceive risk management as bureaucratic overhead that delays project work and adds little value.
The Science of Deadlines: Why Projects Run Late and How to Stop It
AccidentaL PM
July 13, 2025
Every project manager has missed one or more deadlines. Despite meticulous plans, Gantt charts, and milestone check-ins, the project somehow slips behind schedule. According to multiple industry surveys, more than half of all projects finish late. It’s a systemic problem rooted in how we think, plan, and execute our activities.
Master Problem-Solving: A 7-Step Guide for Project Managers
AccidentaL PM
July 06, 2025
No matter how well you plan or how skilled your team is, problems are a regular part of project life. From minor misunderstandings to full-scale crises, project managers are routinely called upon to navigate complexity and drive solutions. An ability to effectively solve problems is critical to delivering successful outcomes. Using a structured approach, project managers can resolve issues more efficiently, gain the support of their team and stakeholders, and ultimately strengthen their projects.
The Fastest Way to Get PMP Certified: A Step-by-Step Study Plan
AccidentaL PM
June 29, 2025
Project managers strive to achieve Project Management Professional (PMP) certification to validate their experience and level up their careers. Recognized globally, it signifies a level of education, competence, and credibility. However, preparing for the PMP exam can be challenging, especially for those balancing full-time jobs, family commitments, or other responsibilities.
How to Transition from Team Member to Project Manager
AccidentaL PM
June 22, 2025
Transitioning from a team member to a project management role is more than a title change or promotion. It marks an evolution in how you approach your work, interact with colleagues, and define success. While the responsibilities can initially feel overwhelming, this move is also one of the most rewarding steps you can take as a professional. If you're beginning this journey or considering it, understanding and preparing for the changes ahead will help you thrive in your new role.
Time Blocking for Project Managers: The Productivity Hack You Need
AccidentaL PM
June 15, 2025
Your time is your most valuable resource—and often your most misused one. Between back-to-back meetings, endless email threads, and stakeholders popping in with “just a quick question,” it can feel like you spend more time reacting than leading.
Time-blocking is a simple but powerful productivity technique that can help project managers take control of their time, focus intensely on high-priority tasks, and reduce the mental clutter from context switching. It’s not just another time management fad—it’s a practical, flexible approach that can reshape how you work. It may be the best productivity upgrade you make this year.
How to Recover a Failing Project Without Losing Your Mind
AccidentaL PM
June 08, 2025
You had a plan. Deadlines were set, the kickoff was energizing, and the team was ready to deliver. But somewhere along the way, things started unraveling. Tasks stalled. Communication frayed. Stakeholders grew impatient. Now, the project is teetering on the edge, and all eyes are on you.
Projects fail or falter for all kinds of reasons: unclear scope, shifting priorities, resource constraints, unexpected roadblocks. The real challenge isn’t just the problems themselves—it’s navigating through them without burning out or burning bridges.
Project Management Trends 2025: How to Stay Ahead
AccidentaL PM
June 01, 2025
Project management is no longer confined to charts, timelines, and deliverables. It has evolved into a dynamic discipline that intersects technology, leadership, and strategic value creation. As we progress through 2025, the forces shaping this field are stronger and more diverse than ever, driven by artificial intelligence, hybrid work structures, sustainability mandates, and the relentless pace of innovation.
PMP Exam Prep: 10 Mistakes That Could Cost You Your Certification
Accidental PM
May 25, 2025
globally recognized and respected across industries, and it validates your project management expertise. But getting certified isn’t just about checking off study hours or flipping through flashcards—passing the PMP exam takes strategic preparation, a deep understanding of the material, and a strong test-day mindset.
Master the Art of Multi-Project Management
AccidentaL PM
May 11, 2025
Managing a single project well is rarely enough, especially for smaller projects. Most professionals in tech, marketing, consulting, or creative industries juggle multiple projects simultaneously. On average, this can be between three and five smaller projects. One day might begin with a project kickoff call, transition into a requirements elicitation meeting, and end with finalizing a training document, with each of these activities belonging to a different project. The ability to navigate this complexity is a crucial skill that separates average performance from exceptional results.
Secrets of High-Performing Project Teams
AccidentaL PM
May 04, 2025
The success or failure of initiatives often hinges not on strategy or tools but on the teams executing them. While many teams struggle with missed deadlines, unclear roles, and communication breakdowns, others operate in sync, delivering high-impact results with consistency and cohesion.
What separates these high-performing teams isn't just talent or luck. It's a deliberate combination of leadership, culture, and process that empowers individuals to do their best work together.
The Fastest and Easiest PM Certifications to Earn in 2025
AccidentaL PM
April 27, 2025
Project management is one of the most in-demand career paths across every industry, from tech and healthcare to construction and creative services. As organizations grow more complex and fast-paced, professionals who can keep teams aligned, budgets on track, and deadlines under control are more valuable than ever.
The Ultimate Guide to Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)
AccidentaL PM
April 20, 2025
Organization is everything! Projects can easily veer off track without a clear structure, exceed budgets, and miss deadlines. That’s where the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) comes in. A WBS is a foundational tool that helps teams break down complex projects into manageable parts.
How to Write a Project Charter That Sets You Up for Success
AccidentaL PM
April 13, 2025
Starting a project without a clear plan is like building a house without a blueprint. It might eventually come together, but the process will be chaotic, frustrating, and filled with costly missteps. One of the most effective ways to bring structure, clarity, and purpose to a project from the beginning is through a well-crafted project charter. This foundational document does more than authorize a project to begin; it aligns stakeholders, defines objectives, and sets the tone for success.
Outsmart the Competition: Unlock Insights from Rivals
AccidentaL PM
December 15, 2024
In business, observing competitors isn't just about keeping tabs but discovering pathways to growth and innovation. Businesses can uncover opportunities to enhance their offerings and maintain market relevance by analyzing their strategies. Strategic insights from competitors allow you to identify gaps in their products or services, enabling differentiation and fostering a sharper competitive edge. This continuous observation can inspire creative solutions that resonate deeply with your target audience.
Project Cost Management: Principles, Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices
PPC Group, LLC
June 01, 2022
The project management knowledge area of cost management is concerned with estimating, budgeting, and controlling the budget to stay within the approved expenditures for a project. While it may appear simple, identifying all project costs is perhaps the most challenging task for a project manager and team. In addition to the basic costs of resources, additional charges may stem from economic conditions, equipment operating expenses, loan and bond repayments, and various other expenses. Plus, project practitioners must be flexible to meet all organizational policies and norms.
We've made every effort to keep concepts clear for aspiring, new, and accidental project managers while covering project financial topics relevant to all project managers.
Accidental Agile Project Manager
PPC Group, LLC
October 09, 2020
What's an accidental agile project manager, you ask? Anyone who suddenly and unexpectedly finds themselves responsible for an agile 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. In business, it's not uncommon to see team leaders doing project managers' work, and they may not even be aware.
Congratulations, you just became an accidental agile project manager!
This book is the missing agile project management "quick start" guide for beginners, accidental, aspiring new agile project managers, and for those exploring agile project management careers or looking for a refresher.
A process and an acronym will help the accidental agile 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 agile 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, and Agile Practice Guide.
Templates include:
- Stakeholder Register
- Communications Plan
- Requirements Plan
- Requirements Document (User Stories)
- Product Backlog
- Milestone Plan
- Burndown Chart
- Virtual Team Contact
- Kickoff Agenda
- Lessons Learned
- Retrospective
- Status Report
- Team Member Evaluation
- Lessons Learned
All templates are available online and ready-to-use with pre-filled examples.
All initiatives start with uncertainty, creating consequences ranging from unfulfilled plans to total organizational failure. Yet ongoing research has shown risk management to be a frequently neglected area of planning. A framework is a simple, basic conceptual structure of a process, modifiable to fit the needs and circumstances of initiatives, whether they be projects, programs, operations, or even a collection of activities.
Risk Assessment Framework provides a complete framework and a recommended means of implementation to establish a complete, reusable, and sustainable risk management methodology for any initiative. Tools, templates, forms, and guidance provide support for the implementation of the framework. It is up to the initiative manager to review the framework, tailor the framework to be appropriate for the initiative as needed, and select tools and techniques to support the tailored framework.
Whether you are an aspiring, new, accidental, or experienced manager, this book will help you successfully navigate uncertainty for any effort.
Accidental Project Manager: Zero to Hero in 7 Days
PPC Group, LLC
July 02, 2018
When a manager is pressed to find a project manager for an important client, he looks to Rhett Sero, our to-be hero. He introduces Rhett to Heda Heldenmacher, a noted project management consultant. Heda introduces Rhett to the PROJECT methodology and spends seven days with him to prepare.
Designed to increase success, this book is for accidental and new project managers, beginning project management learners, and those exploring project management careers or looking for a refresher. Told in the form of a business fable, concepts are put in everyday terms and stories make it more memorable.
Everything you need to get started in an easy-to-read book. Each chapter includes a project management tip, reading selections from the PMBOK Guide, and additional learning resources. A set of more than a dozen ready-to-use templates is available online.
This is the story of the invaluable lessons Rhett learns transforming from Sero to Hero!
Fundamentals of the PROJECT Management Method
Udemy
April 12, 2022
Welcome to Fundamentals of the PROJECT Method. PROJECT is an easy-to-remember acronym to guide you through the most important steps of project management. If you are looking to become a project manager or are taking on a project management role, this course will teach you the essential skills needed. Learn just what you need to achieve early success in your career. The course can also be a review for more experienced project managers.
There has never been a better time to learn project management skills – the global demand for project management skills is growing. The Project Management Institute estimates a need for two million project managers per year.
The course is uniquely designed to not only help you learn project management, but to retain and apply what you have learned. Educational research has shown that simply watching videos is not effective learning. Other elements such as reading and note taking need to be included to be able to retain and apply the knowledge you have learned.
The Amazon international best seller, Accidental Project Manager: Zero to Hero in 7 Days is included in PDF format as a text. Read each chapter as you complete each section of the course to get the most out of the course and retain the knowledge. By completing this course, you will have the fundamentals you need to have confidence managing a project.
Tags: Management, Business Strategy, Project Management
1 Founder
PPC Group, LLC
PPC Group, LLC
November 01, 2013
Founder of a startup training and consulting business focused on continuous improvement of Project, Program, and Portfolio Management process. Established a publishing infrastructure and led the design of the company web site and social media presence. Since 2014 I have published four books, one booklet, and contributed to three other books. Actively seeking partnerships to expand our offering. We are your change agent for project, program, and portfolio management success.
What clients are saying about us: “PPC Group LLC provided us with key material for our project managers. We are a young PMO and working to gain consistency in our process and focus. The material helped to reinforce our messaging and best practices.” - VP EPM
Tags: Management, Business Strategy, Project Management
2 Media Interviews
367: Chaos Claims Projects that are Poorly Planned with expert Ray Frohnhoefer
My Quest for the Best with Bill Ringle
May 13, 2022
Bill Ringle and Ray Frohnhoefer discuss how to avoid the delays and cost overruns that occur in projects by understanding the 7 phases of project management.
Location: San Diego - Online Date : June 23, 2022 - June 23, 2022 Organizer: Ray Frohnhoefer
Join co-authors Ray Frohnhoefer and Inham Hassen for the virtual launch of their new book, Project Cost Management: Principles, Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices for Project Finance. Learn about project cost management and have fun! Copies of the book will be given away to random participants. Visit the site for time, more information, and registration.
Join Thinkers360 for free! Are you a Reader/Writer, Thought Leader/Influencer (looking to increase your earnings), or an Enterprise User (looking to work with experts)?
The PMP Myth: Why It’s Not a Golden Ticket But Still Matters
The Power of the “P-Word”: Why Good Planning Still Matters
How Much Risk Management Is Enough? Finding the Right Balance
Creating Project Environments that Support Innovation
Are Agile Certifications Worth It? A Breakdown of CSM, PMI-ACP, and SAFe
Five Keys to Owning Your Project Management Career
Leading Through Crisis: Essential Leadership Skills For Project Managers
Beyond Plans: Project Success Through Smart Practices and Strong Teams
10 Things Expected of New Project Managers
Beyond PMP: The Top 5 Emerging Certifications Every PM Should Consider
How to Sell Risk Management to a Project Sponsor
The Science of Deadlines: Why Projects Run Late and How to Stop It
Master Problem-Solving: A 7-Step Guide for Project Managers
The Fastest Way to Get PMP Certified: A Step-by-Step Study Plan
How to Transition from Team Member to Project Manager
Time Blocking for Project Managers: The Productivity Hack You Need
How to Recover a Failing Project Without Losing Your Mind
Project Management Trends 2025: How to Stay Ahead
PMP Exam Prep: 10 Mistakes That Could Cost You Your Certification
Master the Art of Multi-Project Management
Secrets of High-Performing Project Teams
The Fastest and Easiest PM Certifications to Earn in 2025
The Ultimate Guide to Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)
How to Write a Project Charter That Sets You Up for Success
Outsmart the Competition: Unlock Insights from Rivals
Project Cost Management: Principles, Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices
Accidental Agile Project Manager
Risk Assessment Framework: Successfully Navigating Uncertainty
Accidental Project Manager: Zero to Hero in 7 Days
Fundamentals of the PROJECT Management Method
PPC Group, LLC
367: Chaos Claims Projects that are Poorly Planned with expert Ray Frohnhoefer
Project Cost Management Virtual Book Launch
