- A
Add resources from non-critical path activities to critical path tasks
Crashing with available resources can compress schedule with minimal cost if resources are already allocated.
- B
Fast-track activities by performing them in parallel
Fast-tracking can compress schedule without cost increase but may increase risk.
- C
Eliminate non-essential deliverables without approval
Why wrong: Eliminating scope requires formal change control.
- D
Reduce quality standards to save time
Why wrong: Reducing quality is not acceptable; it increases rework risk.
- E
Reduce project scope without change control
Why wrong: Scope changes must go through change control; this is not a compression technique.
Question 346 of 892
Two Schedule Compression Techniques That Don't Significantly Increase Cost
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. 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.
Your project is running behind schedule. You need to compress the schedule without significantly increasing cost. Which TWO techniques should you consider?
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
✓
Add resources from non-critical path activities to critical path tasks
Option A is correct because adding resources from non-critical path activities to critical path tasks is a form of resource leveling or resource optimization that can compress the schedule without significant cost increase, as it reallocates existing resources rather than hiring new ones. Option B is correct because fast-tracking involves performing activities in parallel that were originally planned sequentially, which can reduce the project duration without adding costs, though it may increase risk.
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.
- ✓
Add resources from non-critical path activities to critical path tasks
Why this is correct
Crashing with available resources can compress schedule with minimal cost if resources are already allocated.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Fast-track activities by performing them in parallel
Why this is correct
Fast-tracking can compress schedule without cost increase but may increase risk.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Eliminate non-essential deliverables without approval
Why it's wrong here
Eliminating scope requires formal change control.
- ✗
Reduce quality standards to save time
Why it's wrong here
Reducing quality is not acceptable; it increases rework risk.
- ✗
Reduce project scope without change control
Why it's wrong here
Scope changes must go through change control; this is not a compression technique.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The PMP exam often tests the distinction between schedule compression techniques (fast-tracking and crashing) and unauthorized scope or quality changes, so candidates may mistakenly choose options that seem to save time but violate project management processes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Schedule compression techniques like fast-tracking and resource leveling are part of the Develop Schedule process in the PMBOK Guide. Fast-tracking increases risk of rework due to overlapping activities, while resource leveling can extend the schedule if not carefully managed. In practice, fast-tracking is often used in construction projects where sequential dependencies are reduced, but it requires careful analysis of lead and lag relationships to avoid negative float.
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 practitioner preparing for the PMP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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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Process — Managing Technical Aspects — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMP question test?
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add resources from non-critical path activities to critical path tasks — Option A is correct because adding resources from non-critical path activities to critical path tasks is a form of resource leveling or resource optimization that can compress the schedule without significant cost increase, as it reallocates existing resources rather than hiring new ones. Option B is correct because fast-tracking involves performing activities in parallel that were originally planned sequentially, which can reduce the project duration without adding costs, though it may increase risk.
What should I do if I get this PMP 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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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