Fast Tracking is a schedule compression technique where activities or phases normally performed in sequence are undertaken in parallel for at least a portion of their duration. The objective is to reduce the project timeline without incurring additional costs typically associated with resource augm…Fast Tracking is a schedule compression technique where activities or phases normally performed in sequence are undertaken in parallel for at least a portion of their duration. The objective is to reduce the project timeline without incurring additional costs typically associated with resource augmentation, as seen in crashing.
In practice, fast tracking can involve starting a subsequent task before the predecessor task is fully completed. For example, beginning the design phase before the completion of requirements gathering. This approach can significantly shorten the project duration since tasks are overlapped rather than waiting for each to finish sequentially.
However, fast tracking introduces additional risks and may increase the potential for rework. Overlapping tasks that are dependent on the outputs of previous activities can lead to errors if preceding tasks are not sufficiently complete to provide accurate input. This can result in quality issues, increased costs due to rework, and schedule delays if problems are discovered later in the project.
Effective fast tracking requires careful analysis of the project schedule to identify tasks that can be overlapped with minimal risk. It often involves scrutinizing discretionary dependencies (soft logic), which are defined by the project team and can be adjusted as opposed to mandatory dependencies (hard logic), which are inherent to the work itself.
Communication and coordination are critical when implementing fast tracking. Project managers must ensure that all team members understand the changes in the schedule and the expectations for their tasks. Regular monitoring and control are necessary to promptly identify and address any issues arising from the adjusted schedule.
In essence, fast tracking is a strategy to expedite project completion by performing tasks in parallel, thereby reducing the overall schedule. While it can be effective in shortening project duration without additional costs, it requires meticulous planning and risk management to mitigate the potential negative impacts on quality and project objectives.
Fast Tracking - Schedule Compression Technique
What is Fast Tracking?
Fast Tracking is a schedule compression technique in project management where activities or phases that would normally be performed in sequence (one after the other) are performed in parallel (at the same time). It involves overlapping project phases that would typically be done in sequence.
Why Fast Tracking is Important
Fast Tracking is crucial in project management because:
- It helps shorten the overall project duration - It allows for recovery when projects fall behind schedule - It enables meeting tight deadlines or market windows - It can reduce costs associated with extended timelines - It demonstrates schedule management flexibility
How Fast Tracking Works
1. Identify Critical Path Activities: Focus on activities on the critical path as these directly impact the project end date.
2. Analyze Dependencies: Review the relationships between activities to find those that could potentially overlap.
3. Overlap Activities: Start successor activities before their predecessors are completely finished.
4. Manage Increased Risks: Implement stronger risk management as overlapping activities increases the possibility of rework.
5. Enhance Communication: Ensure teams working on parallel activities communicate effectively.
Example: In construction, foundation work might be 75% complete when framing begins, rather than waiting for the foundation to be 100% complete.
Fast Tracking vs. Crashing
- Fast Tracking: Overlaps activities, generally doesn't add cost but increases risk - Crashing: Adds resources to speed up activities, increases cost but may not increase risk as much
Risks of Fast Tracking
- Increased likelihood of rework - Quality issues if predecessor work isn't sufficiently complete - Communication challenges between parallel teams - Need for more intensive coordination - Potential for missed dependencies
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Fast Tracking
1. Recognize Fast Tracking Scenarios: Look for questions describing overlap of activities or phases that would normally be sequential.
2. No Additional Resources: Remember that Fast Tracking typically doesn't require additional resources (unlike Crashing).
3. Risk Association: Be aware that Fast Tracking questions often relate to increased risk scenarios.
4. Dependency Types: Understand that Fast Tracking works best with Finish-to-Start dependencies that have lag time that can be reduced.
5. Schedule Network Diagrams: Be able to identify on a network diagram where Fast Tracking could be applied.
6. Context Clues: Look for phrases like "overlap phases," "perform in parallel," or "start before completion of predecessor." 7. Suitable Situations: Know when Fast Tracking is appropriate - when schedule needs compression and activities can technically overlap.
8. Cost Impact: Remember that Fast Tracking may not increase direct costs but often increases risk which could lead to indirect costs.
9. Practical Application: Be prepared to determine which specific activities in a scenario could be fast tracked based on their dependencies.
10. Common Trap: Don't confuse Fast Tracking with adding resources or doing work faster - it's specifically about overlapping work that would normally be done in sequence.
What is the primary risk associated with Fast Tracking in project scheduling?
Question 2
In a project where Fast Tracking is being implemented, what sequence of activities would be most appropriate to overlap?
Question 3
During fast tracking implementation, a project manager notices schedule compression efforts are not yielding expected results. What phase of fast tracking is most appropriate to evaluate next?
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