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?

  1. Apply schedule compression by fast-tracking critical path activities.
  2. Reduce lower-priority requirements to save time.
  3. Level resources across all tasks to balance workload.
  4. 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.

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