Part 93: Schedule Compression
(Project Schedule Management: Develop Schedule)
(Project Schedule Management: Control Schedule)

  • The Schedule Compression technique shortens schedule duration without reducing project scope
  • Used to meet schedule constraints, imposed dates, or other objectives
  • Compression Techniques include
    • Crashing
      • Shortens the schedule duration for the least additional cost by adding resources or expediting delivery for activities on the critical path
      • Only works for activities on the critical path
      • Only works when additional resources will shorten the duration of the activity
      • Crashing doesn’t always work, and may increase risk and costs
      • When you have money, and need to shorten the project, choose Crash
      • For example, if we are building a house, we can hire more electricians, framers, and drywallers, and get the job done faster (at a higher cost).
      • Fast Tracking wouldn’t work for us to obtain a building permit faster.
    • Fast Tracking
      • Activities normally completed in sequence are performed in parallel for a portion of, or for their entire duration
      • Only works if activities can be overlapped
      • May result in rework or increased risk
      • When you don’t have money, and need to shorten the project, choose Fast Track
      • For example, if we are building a house, we can have the electricians, plumbers, and gas fitters work at the same time instead of one after the other.  There is a risk that the different contractors won’t give each other enough space, and that could create conflict or delays in the project.