Schedule Compression
A method to shorten the overall project timeline without changing the agreed scope.
Key Points
- Achieved mainly through fast-tracking (overlapping work) and crashing (adding resources to critical tasks).
- Focuses on activities on the critical path; compressing non-critical work may not affect the finish date.
- Often increases cost and/or risk, so trade-offs must be analyzed before applying.
- Requires re-analysis of the schedule and stakeholder agreement on impacts and assumptions.
Example
A construction project is slipping. The PM overlaps foundation curing with early framing (fast-tracking) and brings in an extra crew for framing (crashing) to pull the completion date back without changing deliverables.
PMP Example Question
A project must meet a deadline without removing any deliverables. What should the project manager do?
- Apply schedule compression by fast-tracking critical path activities.
- Reduce lower-priority requirements to save time.
- Level resources across all tasks to balance workload.
- Add extra features to increase stakeholder satisfaction.
Correct Answer: A — Schedule compression
Explanation: Schedule compression shortens the timeline without changing scope. Scope reduction changes scope, resource leveling often lengthens duration, and gold plating adds unnecessary work.
