Crashing
A schedule compression method that shortens the overall timeline at the lowest added cost by applying additional resources to critical activities.
Key Points
- Focuses on critical path tasks; noncritical work will not reduce the finish date.
- Trades higher cost for shorter duration; evaluate time-cost tradeoffs carefully.
- Can involve adding people, paying overtime, or bringing in specialized equipment.
- May introduce risks, rework, or coordination overhead, with diminishing returns.
Example
A software project is behind schedule. The PM adds two experienced contractors to the testing team and authorizes weekend overtime on critical defects. The extra cost is analyzed against the time saved, and this option is chosen because it delivers the needed 2-week reduction for the lowest additional expense compared to other options.
PMP Example Question
Your project must finish 3 weeks earlier. Analysis shows the cheapest way to meet the new date is to assign additional skilled staff to critical tasks. What technique are you using?
- Crashing
- Fast tracking
- Resource leveling
- Scope reduction
Correct Answer: A — Crashing
Explanation: Crashing shortens the schedule by adding resources to critical activities at the lowest possible additional cost. It is different from fast tracking, which overlaps work without adding resources.
