PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
Your project is running behind schedule. You need to compress the schedule without significantly increasing cost. Which TWO techniques should you consider?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
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
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.
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
Adding resources from non-critical path activities to critical path tasks is a valid schedule compression technique known as crashing. By reallocating existing resources that have float to activities directly impacting the project's end date, the duration of critical path tasks can be reduced. This approach effectively shortens the overall project schedule without necessarily incurring additional direct costs for new resources, making it a cost-effective method when internal resources are available.
- ✓
Fast-track activities by performing them in parallel
Why this is correct
Fast-tracking is a schedule compression technique where activities or phases that would normally be performed sequentially are performed in parallel or overlapped. This method aims to reduce the overall project duration by starting subsequent activities before their predecessors are fully complete. While fast-tracking can compress the schedule without increasing direct costs, it inherently increases project risk due to potential rework, communication challenges, or integration issues.
- ✗
Eliminate non-essential deliverables without approval
Why it's wrong here
Eliminating non-essential deliverables without formal approval constitutes an unauthorized scope change, which is a severe breach of project governance. Any modification to the agreed-upon project scope, even if intended to save time, must follow the integrated change control process. Bypassing this process undermines stakeholder trust, invalidates the project baseline, and can lead to project failure to meet its defined objectives.
- ✗
Reduce quality standards to save time
Why it's wrong here
Reducing quality standards to save time is an unacceptable practice in professional project management. While it might appear to offer short-term time savings, compromising quality inevitably leads to increased risks such as defects, rework, customer dissatisfaction, and potential warranty claims. These issues ultimately increase overall project costs and often extend the schedule in the long run, making it a detrimental approach.
- ✗
Reduce project scope without change control
Why it's wrong here
Reducing project scope without following the formal change control process is an improper and risky action. Any alteration to the project's defined scope, whether adding, removing, or modifying deliverables, must be formally reviewed, approved, and documented according to the project's change management plan. Unilaterally changing scope undermines the project's integrity, violates contractual agreements, and can result in the project failing to deliver the expected value to stakeholders.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PMP 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 PMP exam.