Schedule Compression Techniques: Crashing vs Fast Tracking

A project manager discovers that a critical path activity is behind schedule. The project has no float on the critical path. Which action should the project manager take to bring the project back on track without increasing scope?

Quick Answer

The answer is to crash the project by assigning additional resources to critical tasks. This is correct because the critical path has zero float, meaning any delay directly extends the project completion date, and crashing adds resources to compress the schedule without increasing scope—unlike fast tracking, which would reorder tasks and introduce risk but is only viable when float exists. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that crashing is the go-to schedule compression technique when the critical path is tight and scope is locked; a common trap is choosing fast tracking, which fails here because it requires parallel work on tasks that still have dependency slack. Remember the memory tip: “No float? Crash the boat—add resources, don’t reorder courses.”

⚠ Common exam trap

CompTIA often tests the distinction between fast-tracking (parallel execution) and crashing (adding resources), and the trap here is that candidates confuse fast-tracking as a solution for a behind-schedule critical path, but fast-tracking does not shorten the duration of individual activities and can increase risk, whereas crashing directly reduces activity duration on the critical path.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

Crash the project by assigning additional resources to critical tasks

Crashing the project by assigning additional resources to critical tasks is the correct action because the critical path has zero float, meaning any delay directly extends the project completion date. Crashing adds resources to compress the schedule without changing scope, which is the only viable option when no float exists and scope must remain unchanged.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
Add a new activity to the critical path to create more time
Why it's wrong here
Adding activities would increase scope and likely delay further.
✗
Fast track the remaining activities by starting them earlier
Why it's wrong here
Fast tracking increases risk and may not be as effective on critical path.
✓
Crash the project by assigning additional resources to critical tasks
Why this is correct
Crashing adds resources to reduce duration on critical path.
✗
Implement a change request to reduce the scope of the delayed activity
Why it's wrong here
Reducing scope is a scope change, not a schedule compression technique.

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Same concept, more angles

1 more way this is tested on PK0-005

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. The sponsor asks the project manager to accelerate the project schedule without changing scope. Which technique should the project manager recommend?

medium

A.Monte Carlo simulation
✓ B.Crashing
C.Fast tracking
D.Resource leveling

Why B: Crashing is the correct technique because it involves adding additional resources to critical path activities to compress the project schedule without altering scope. This directly addresses the sponsor's request to accelerate the schedule while keeping the project scope unchanged.

Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026

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