Crashing vs. Fast Tracking

Attribute	Crashing	Fast Tracking
Definition	Shortening the project duration by adding more resources	Shortening the project duration by overlapping activities
Effect on Cost	May increase cost due to additional resources	May increase cost due to overlapping activities
Effect on Quality	May decrease quality if rushed	May decrease quality if activities are overlapped
Risk	May increase risk due to compressed schedule	May increase risk due to overlapping activities

Introduction

Project managers often face the challenge of completing projects within tight deadlines and limited resources. Two common techniques used to accelerate project schedules are crashing and fast tracking. While both methods aim to reduce project duration, they differ in their approach and impact on the project. In this article, we will compare the attributes of crashing and fast tracking to help project managers make informed decisions when faced with time constraints.

Crashing

Crashing is a project management technique that involves adding more resources to critical path activities to reduce their duration and accelerate the project schedule. This typically involves assigning additional manpower, equipment, or funds to tasks to complete them faster. By crashing the schedule, project managers can meet tight deadlines and deliver the project on time. However, crashing often comes at a cost, as adding resources may increase project expenses and lead to resource conflicts.

• Crashing involves adding resources to critical path activities.
• It aims to reduce the duration of tasks and accelerate the project schedule.
• Additional manpower, equipment, or funds may be assigned to tasks.
• Crashing helps project managers meet tight deadlines and deliver projects on time.
• However, crashing can increase project expenses and lead to resource conflicts.

Fast Tracking

Fast tracking is another project management technique used to compress project schedules by overlapping activities that would normally be done sequentially. This means that tasks that were originally planned to be done one after the other are now performed simultaneously. Fast tracking can help project managers save time and expedite project delivery. However, fast tracking may increase the risk of rework, as tasks are being performed concurrently without the necessary dependencies being met.

• Fast tracking involves overlapping sequential activities.
• Tasks that were planned to be done sequentially are now performed simultaneously.
• Fast tracking can save time and expedite project delivery.
• However, it may increase the risk of rework due to incomplete dependencies.

Comparison

While crashing and fast tracking are both used to accelerate project schedules, they have distinct differences in their approach and impact on projects. Crashing focuses on adding resources to critical path activities to reduce their duration, while fast tracking involves overlapping sequential tasks to compress the schedule. Crashing is more resource-intensive, as it requires additional manpower, equipment, or funds, which can increase project expenses. On the other hand, fast tracking may lead to rework and quality issues, as tasks are being performed concurrently without the necessary dependencies being met.

• Crashing adds resources to critical path activities, while fast tracking overlaps sequential tasks.
• Crashing is more resource-intensive and can increase project expenses.
• Fast tracking may lead to rework and quality issues due to incomplete dependencies.

Decision Making

When deciding between crashing and fast tracking, project managers should consider the specific requirements of the project, the available resources, and the potential risks involved. Crashing may be more suitable for projects with strict deadlines and ample resources, while fast tracking could be a better option for projects with flexible timelines and limited resources. Project managers should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each technique before making a decision to ensure successful project completion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, crashing and fast tracking are valuable project management techniques that can help accelerate project schedules and meet tight deadlines. While crashing involves adding resources to critical path activities, fast tracking focuses on overlapping sequential tasks to compress the schedule. Project managers should carefully evaluate the specific requirements of their projects and consider the potential risks before deciding between crashing and fast tracking. By understanding the attributes of each technique, project managers can make informed decisions to ensure successful project completion.