Fast Tracking

March 24, 2025
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What is Fast Tracking?

Fast tracking is a project scheduling technique used to shorten the project duration without changing its scope. It involves performing tasks or phases in parallel or overlapping them instead of sequentially. This method starts some tasks before the previous ones are fully complete, which speeds up delivery. Clients, market demands, or internal pressures commonly necessitate fast tracking when a project falls behind schedule or requires faster completion.

While this approach can save time, it also introduces the risk of errors, rework, or miscommunication because it may not fully resolve dependencies between tasks before the next one begins. Therefore, evaluating whether fast-tracking is appropriate based on the project’s complexity and flexibility is essential.

Key Points

  • Fast tracking overlaps sequential tasks to reduce the project timeline.
  • It does not involve adding resources or changing the project’s scope.
  • This technique works best when the overlapped tasks are not heavily dependent on each other.
  • Teams often use it alongside other methods like crashing to recover lost time.
  • Fast tracking increases the risk of conflicts and may lead to quality issues if not managed carefully.

Related Terms

  • Project schedule compression involves using techniques such as fast tracking or crashing to shorten the timeline without altering the project scope.
  • Critical path method helps identify which tasks can be fast tracked by showing the longest sequence of dependent activities.
  • Crashing is a technique that adds resources to critical path tasks, unlike fast tracking, which overlaps tasks without resource changes.
  • Project risk management is key when applying fast tracking, as overlapping tasks can introduce new risks.
  • Teams must evaluate task dependencies before fast tracking to ensure overlapping tasks do not create delays or confusion.

Fast Tracking: Example

The design team typically completes all architectural plans before construction begins in a construction project. The project manager, with fast tracking, starts foundation work while finalizing upper-level design details. This overlap reduces the total project duration but requires careful coordination to prevent errors or rework.

Fast Tracking: Best Practices

  • Conduct a thorough risk assessment before deciding to overlap tasks.
  • Communicate clearly with all stakeholders about schedule changes and expectations.
  • Monitor task progress closely to detect issues early.
  • Update the project schedule regularly to reflect overlapping activities.
  • Ensure teams understand interdependencies and collaborate effectively.

Additional Resources

Fast Tracking - Project Planning, Scheduling, and Control, Sixth Edition     Fast Tracking - A Comprehensive Guide to Project Management Schedule and Cost Control

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