Schedule Compression Techniques: Fast Tracking & Crashing

Fast tracking and crashing are 2 schedule compression techniques for managing time on projects. If your project is running late or you would like to shorten its duration, these 2 techniques can come in handy:

Fast Tracking

This is the technique of assessing project management activities on the critical path, initially planned to be executed sequentially, and carrying them out in parallel. Where there are time constraints, fast tracking can help reduce the impact of bottlenecks though it can increase the risks of rework and create a need for more intensive communication.

Crashing

This technique involves adding or altering resources in order to compress the project schedule without altering its scope. For example, if you find that the time over which project completion is estimated will exceed the desired deadline, you could hire more resources or get extra machines. There’s usually a cost component to be contended with.

It is important to examine what’s practical for your project to determine which technique will have the least negative impact.