Schedule Compression Flashcards
7 cards from real PMI-SP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Schedule Compression flashcards as text
A project manager needs to recover 3 weeks on a software project. After analyzing the schedule, she identifies that adding developers to the coding phase will reduce duration but increase cost. This is an example of which compression technique?
Answer: Crashing
Crashing involves adding resources (such as developers) to shorten schedule duration at increased cost.
During fast tracking, which risk is MOST commonly introduced to the project schedule?
Answer: Increased rework due to parallel activities
Fast tracking overlaps activities that were originally planned sequentially, which increases the risk of rework if upstream outputs change.
A project manager is evaluating schedule compression options. The network diagram shows activity B has a finish-to-start dependency with activity A. Which action represents fast tracking?
Answer: Starting activity B before activity A is fully complete
Fast tracking means starting activity B before activity A finishes, effectively overlapping the two activities.
When analyzing crash options, a project manager should focus resources on activities that are:
Answer: On the critical path and have the lowest crash cost per unit time
Crashing is most cost-effective when applied to critical path activities with the lowest crash cost per unit of time saved.
A project team fast tracks two phases, causing the testing team to discover significant defects in code still being written. What is the MOST likely consequence?
Answer: Rework increases total project duration beyond the original schedule
Rework caused by fast tracking can negate schedule gains and potentially extend the project beyond the original planned duration.
Which of the following BEST describes the crash cost slope for an activity?
Answer: The additional cost incurred per unit of time reduced
The crash cost slope is the additional cost per unit of time (e.g., per day) saved when crashing an activity.
A sponsor demands a 10-day schedule reduction but authorizes no additional budget. The project manager should consider which compression option FIRST?
Answer: Fast tracking by overlapping sequential activities
Fast tracking does not inherently require additional budget, making it the first option to consider when budget is constrained.