PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
Your project is behind schedule due to underestimated task durations. The critical path has been identified. Which TWO schedule compression techniques are MOST appropriate to get the project back on track?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse schedule compression techniques with schedule network analysis or risk management techniques, leading them to select critical chain method or Monte Carlo simulation instead of the direct compression methods of fast tracking and crashing.
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
✓
Fast tracking
Fast tracking (C) is appropriate because it involves performing critical path activities in parallel that were originally planned in sequence, which can shorten the project schedule without adding resources. Crashing (D) is appropriate because it adds resources to critical path activities to reduce their duration, directly addressing the underestimated task durations that caused the delay. Both techniques focus on the critical path, which is identified in the question, making them the most suitable compression methods.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Critical chain method
Why it's wrong here
The Critical Chain Method (CCM) is a project scheduling technique that focuses on managing resource constraints and uncertainties by adding buffers to the project schedule. It identifies the longest path of tasks considering both dependencies and resource availability, known as the critical chain. While it aims to improve project performance and on-time delivery by protecting the critical chain with project and feeding buffers, it is fundamentally a scheduling and management approach, not a direct schedule compression technique like fast tracking or crashing. It optimizes flow rather than directly shortening activity durations.
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Resource leveling
Why it's wrong here
Resource leveling is a technique used to adjust the project schedule to optimize resource utilization, typically when resources are over-allocated or when a consistent level of resource application is desired. This often involves delaying non-critical activities to smooth out resource demand, which can, and frequently does, extend the overall project duration. Therefore, resource leveling is not a schedule compression technique; its primary goal is to manage resource availability and avoid overloads, even if it means sacrificing schedule length.
- ✓
Fast tracking
Why this is correct
Fast tracking is a schedule compression technique where activities or phases that would normally be performed sequentially are instead performed in parallel or overlapped. This approach reduces the overall project duration by starting subsequent activities before their predecessors are fully complete, particularly on the critical path. While it can significantly shorten the schedule, fast tracking inherently increases project risk, potentially leading to rework, quality issues, or communication challenges due to the increased concurrency.
- ✓
Crashing
Why this is correct
Crashing is a schedule compression technique that involves adding or expediting resources to critical path activities to shorten their durations, thereby reducing the overall project schedule. This method typically incurs additional costs, such as overtime pay, hiring more staff, or using more expensive equipment. Project managers use crashing to achieve the greatest schedule reduction for the least incremental cost, but it is only feasible for activities where additional resources can actually reduce duration.
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Monte Carlo simulation
Why it's wrong here
Monte Carlo simulation is a quantitative risk analysis technique that models the probability of different outcomes in a process that contains inherent randomness or uncertainty. By running numerous simulations using a range of possible values for activity durations and costs, it provides a probabilistic distribution of potential project completion dates and costs. While it is an invaluable tool for understanding schedule realism and identifying high-risk areas, it is an analytical method for forecasting and risk assessment, not a direct technique for compressing or shortening the project schedule itself.
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