Project Risk Management
BUSA-X409.71
All projects start with uncertainty, creating wide-ranging consequences from unmet plans to total organizational failure. Nearly all projects are conducted in some form of a regulatory environment. But regulation alone cannot assure success. Ongoing research shows that risk management is still a frequently neglected area of planning, including in regulated environments such as healthcare, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. This course examines a framework that may be applied to any projects and other initiatives to scale risk management best practices quickly. Through instruction and realistic, scenario-based assignments, students are introduced to organized and practical approaches to manage project risks and improve overall project outcomes.
This course provides 30 education hours applicable toward Professional Development Units (PDUs). To request an official university transcript, please contact Student Services or click here for more information.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Understand the importance of risk management for both project and organizational success.
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Evaluate and analyze risks for probability and impact, and document them in a prioritized risk register.
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Understand, use, and tailor a framework for risk management.
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Apply scalable templates for risk management plans, risk assessment workshops, risk registers, and risk assessment matrices for initiatives.
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Determine risk mitigations and contingencies for both cost and time.
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Apply some common tools and techniques for all stages of risk management.
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Apply a seven-step qualitative risk response planning process to guide key management decisions.
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Understand how to implement approved responses to project risks.
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Improve the ability to monitor, detect, and respond to risk events.
Course Information
Individual exceptions may be granted based on prior experience or knowledge. To request an exception, please contact projectmanagement@ucsd.edu.
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Required Materials. The following required materials are essential to your learning and will be actively used during this course. 1:Risk Assessment Framework: Successfully Managing Uncertainty, Ray W. Frohnhoefer. PPC Group, LLC. San Diego, 2019. ISBN 978-0-9893770-7-2 (paperback) or ISBN 978-9893770-8-9 (Kindle). Suggested Materials - The following materials are valuable supplements, but are optional to complete the course successfully. - A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge Sixth Edition. - An Introduction to Project Management, Seventh Edition. Kathy Schwalbe.
Policies:
Drop Refund Deadline:
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Raymond Frohnhoefer, MBA, PMP, CCP
Managing Partner, PPC Group, LLC
Ray W. Frohnhoefer is an executive with strong project management skills; a methodologist; and a creative inventor and entrepreneur. His key leadership qualities have enabled him to save companies millions of dollars by efficiently making complex decisions and getting things done, even under pressure. His mission: improve the practice of project management. Ray is an active PMI member and volunteer with specialties in:
- Project, Program, and Portfolio Management
- Strategic Planning
- Methodology and Framework Development
- Requirements and Product Development
- PM Maturity Assessment
- Business Process Improvement
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Required Textbook: The following materials are essential to your learning and will be used actively throughout this course. • Risk Assessment Framework: Successfully Managing Uncertainty, Ray W. Frohnhoefer. PPC Group, LLC. San Diego, 2019. ISBN 978-0-9893770-7-2 (paperback) or ISBN 978-9893770-8-9 (Kindle). Suggested Materials: The following materials are valuable supplements that can enhance your understanding, but are optional for completing the course. • A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge – Eighth Edition. PMI. Newtown Square, 2025. • An Introduction to Project Management, Eighth Edition. Kathy Schwalbe. Schwalbe Publishing. Minneapolis, 2026. • Project Planning, Scheduling, and Control (Sixth Edition). James P. Lewis. McGraw-Hill. San Francisco, 2022.
Policies:
Drop Refund Deadline:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Raymond Frohnhoefer, MBA, PMP, CCP
Managing Partner, PPC Group, LLC
Ray W. Frohnhoefer is an executive with strong project management skills; a methodologist; and a creative inventor and entrepreneur. His key leadership qualities have enabled him to save companies millions of dollars by efficiently making complex decisions and getting things done, even under pressure. His mission: improve the practice of project management. Ray is an active PMI member and volunteer with specialties in:
- Project, Program, and Portfolio Management
- Strategic Planning
- Methodology and Framework Development
- Requirements and Product Development
- PM Maturity Assessment
- Business Process Improvement
Section ID:
Class type:
All class meetings held in-person according to published location, dates and times. Students may be expected to engage with course content online during the published course dates.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
Drop Refund Deadline:
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/11/2027 | Thursday | 06:00 p.m. | 09:00 p.m. | Room 450, Extended Studies, 8980 Villa La Jolla Dr, San Diego, 92037 |
| 2/18/2027 | Thursday | 06:00 p.m. | 09:00 p.m. | Room 450, Extended Studies, 8980 Villa La Jolla Dr, San Diego, 92037 |
| 2/25/2027 | Thursday | 06:00 p.m. | 09:00 p.m. | Room 450, Extended Studies, 8980 Villa La Jolla Dr, San Diego, 92037 |
| 3/4/2027 | Thursday | 06:00 p.m. | 09:00 p.m. | Room 450, Extended Studies, 8980 Villa La Jolla Dr, San Diego, 92037 |
| 3/11/2027 | Thursday | 06:00 p.m. | 09:00 p.m. | Room 450, Extended Studies, 8980 Villa La Jolla Dr, San Diego, 92037 |
| 3/18/2027 | Thursday | 06:00 p.m. | 09:00 p.m. | Room 450, Extended Studies, 8980 Villa La Jolla Dr, San Diego, 92037 |
Instructor:
Rafael Arie
Throughout his career, Rafael has led complex cross-functional initiatives spanning drug development, manufacturing technology, laboratory operations, business systems and enterprise software implementations. His experience ranges from supporting late-stage biologics portfolios in global pharmaceutical organizations to helping early-stage biotech companies advance development programs and build operational capabilities. He has established PMO functions, led technology and business transformation initiatives and guided teams through the challenges of execution in highly regulated environments. Working across organizations of different sizes and stages has given him broad experience managing uncertainty, aligning diverse stakeholders and translating strategy into successful delivery.
Rafael is an active member of PMI and volunteers as a mentor through the PMI San Diego Chapter. He holds a Master of Science in Business Management, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and professional certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).
