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. 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 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 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 ( ), the Project Management Institute's ( ) standards for project management. - 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