FreezePoints eMagazine

In the world of project management, the quest for knowledge drives progress. This was evident during the recent book club meeting of the Project Management Institute - Orange County (PMI-OC) chapter on Thursday, November 16th, 2023. The gathering focused on discussing the book "Accidental Agile Project Manager: Zero to Hero in 7 Iterations" by Ray Frohnhoefer. What made this session stand out was having the author himself join in, adding depth to the conversation.

 

Ray Frohnhoefer, an experienced project manager for over forty years, shared his journey in managing projects. His stories, ranging from software to property management and his time at General Electric, struck a chord with the audience. It was clear he loved teaching and mentoring new project managers, drawing insights from his teaching roles at GE and UC San Diego.

 

In 2013, Frohnhoefer shifted focus to teaching, training, and consulting, which inspired him to write the book. His goal was to help new and accidental project managers. The book, built on his own experiences, uses stories to explain project management, making it more interesting for readers.

 

During the discussion, participants shared their favorite parts of the book and what they learned from Frohnhoefer's advice. They appreciated how the stories in the book made project management easier to understand. They talked about the lessons embedded in the stories, going beyond what typical textbooks offer.

 

As the meeting ended, Frohnhoefer encouraged everyone to keep learning and start with smaller projects, dismissing the idea that success must start big. His parting words emphasized that the journey in project management starts with small, but meaningful steps.

 

The meeting brought together a mix of experiences, merging the insights of an experienced practitioner with eager learners. In this virtual space, knowledge flowed, enriched by real-world experiences and a shared love for project management.