- A
Crashing - adding resources to critical path activities to reduce duration.
Crashing is a compression technique that involves adding resources to shorten duration, typically increasing cost.
- B
Resource leveling - adjusting start and finish dates based on resource constraints.
Why wrong: Resource leveling is a resource optimization technique, not a schedule compression technique.
- C
Fast-tracking - performing critical path activities in parallel that were originally sequential.
Fast-tracking is a compression technique that reduces schedule by overlapping activities, increasing risk.
- D
Monte Carlo simulation - analyzing probable schedule outcomes.
Why wrong: Monte Carlo simulation is a modeling technique for risk analysis, not schedule compression.
- E
Critical chain method - adding buffers to protect the schedule.
Why wrong: Critical chain method is a schedule network analysis technique, not a compression technique.
Quick Answer
The answer is fast-tracking and crashing, as these are the two primary schedule compression techniques applied to activities on the critical path. Fast-tracking works by performing critical path activities in parallel that were originally sequential, which compresses the schedule without adding resources but increases risk due to rework potential. Crashing, on the other hand, adds resources—such as extra staff or overtime—to critical path tasks to reduce their duration, directly shortening the project end date at an increased cost. On the CAPM exam, this question tests your understanding that only critical path activities yield schedule compression; compressing non-critical path work does not affect the project finish date. A common trap is confusing fast-tracking with crashing—remember that fast-tracking changes logic (parallel vs. sequential) while crashing changes resources (more people or money). A useful memory tip: “Fast-track flips the order, crashing costs more.”
CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of predictive plan-based methodologies. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project manager is developing the project schedule using a predictive approach. The project involves multiple dependencies and a critical path that has been identified. Which TWO of the following are valid techniques for schedule compression that can be applied to activities 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
Crashing - adding resources to critical path activities to reduce duration.
Crashing is a schedule compression technique that involves adding resources to critical path activities to reduce their duration, directly shortening the overall project schedule. This is valid because it focuses on the critical path, where any duration reduction directly impacts the project end date.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Crashing - adding resources to critical path activities to reduce duration.
Why this is correct
Crashing is a compression technique that involves adding resources to shorten duration, typically increasing cost.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Resource leveling - adjusting start and finish dates based on resource constraints.
Why it's wrong here
Resource leveling is a resource optimization technique, not a schedule compression technique.
- ✓
Fast-tracking - performing critical path activities in parallel that were originally sequential.
Why this is correct
Fast-tracking is a compression technique that reduces schedule by overlapping activities, increasing risk.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Monte Carlo simulation - analyzing probable schedule outcomes.
Why it's wrong here
Monte Carlo simulation is a modeling technique for risk analysis, not schedule compression.
- ✗
Critical chain method - adding buffers to protect the schedule.
Why it's wrong here
Critical chain method is a schedule network analysis technique, not a compression technique.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
PMI often tests the distinction between schedule compression techniques (crashing and fast-tracking) and resource optimization or risk analysis techniques, leading candidates to confuse resource leveling or Monte Carlo simulation as compression methods.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Crashing works by analyzing the cost-time trade-off for each critical path activity, selecting those with the lowest cost slope (cost per unit time saved) to add resources. Fast-tracking, the other correct technique, re-sequences activities to run in parallel, but increases risk of rework due to incomplete predecessor work. In practice, crashing often leads to diminishing returns due to Brooks' law, where adding more resources to a late project makes it later due to communication overhead.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CAPM question test?
Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — This question tests Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Crashing - adding resources to critical path activities to reduce duration. — Crashing is a schedule compression technique that involves adding resources to critical path activities to reduce their duration, directly shortening the overall project schedule. This is valid because it focuses on the critical path, where any duration reduction directly impacts the project end date.
What should I do if I get this CAPM question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on CAPM
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. A software development project is using a predictive approach with a detailed project schedule based on the critical path method (CPM). The project is currently in the execution phase. The team reports that a critical task (Task X) is two weeks behind schedule. Task X has a total float of 0 and has two immediate successors: Task Y and Task Z, both of which are also on the critical path. The project manager has the ability to add resources to overlapping tasks. The project sponsor is concerned about the schedule delay and wants a recovery plan. The project manager needs to determine the best course of action to get the project back on track without impacting quality or budget excessively.
medium- A.Reduce the scope of Task X to meet the original deadline.
- B.Re-baseline the schedule to reflect the delay and inform the sponsor.
- ✓ C.Crash Task X by adding more resources to complete it faster.
- D.Fast-track the successors by starting them as soon as possible even if the predecessor is incomplete.
Why C: Crashing the critical task is the most direct way to recover the schedule. Option B is correct.
Keep practising
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- Drag and drop the steps for managing project quality in the correct order.
- Drag and drop the steps for closing a project phase or project in the correct order.
- Drag and drop the steps for managing project communications in the correct order.
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CAPM practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CAPM exam.
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