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
Which of the following BEST distinguishes fast tracking from crashing in terms of project risk?
Answer: Crashing increases cost risk; fast tracking increases rework and coordination risk
Crashing's primary risk is budget overrun, while fast tracking's primary risks are rework and coordination failures from overlapping activities.
A project manager is using schedule compression during project execution. The approved schedule baseline shows a planned duration of 120 days, but compression brings it to 105 days. The 105-day schedule is now being used for performance measurement. What must have occurred?
Answer: A formal change request was approved, revising the baseline to 105 days
Updating the baseline for performance measurement requires a formally approved change request through the integrated change control process.
In the context of schedule compression, what is a 'near-critical path' and why does it matter?
Answer: A non-critical path with little float that may become critical after compression
Near-critical paths have minimal float and can easily become critical when the primary critical path is compressed, requiring monitoring.
A project manager applies crashing to reduce duration by 4 days. The total crash cost is $20,000 and the crash cost slope for each activity was $5,000/day. How many activity-days were crashed?
Answer: 4 days
$20,000 total cost ÷ $5,000 per day = 4 activity-days crashed to achieve the 4-day reduction.
Which PMI-SP scheduling concept directly supports the decision of WHEN to stop crashing an activity?
Answer: Crash limit — the point at which further resource addition yields no additional duration reduction
The crash limit defines the minimum achievable duration for an activity; crashing beyond this point is technically or physically impossible.
A project manager is choosing between crashing and fast tracking for a 6-week delay recovery. The project has a fixed budget with no contingency remaining and activities that can be safely overlapped. Which technique is the ONLY viable option?
Answer: Fast tracking, because it does not require additional budget
With no remaining budget, crashing is not feasible; fast tracking is the only compression technique that can shorten the schedule without additional cost.
After compressing the schedule using fast tracking, stakeholders express concern about quality. Which project management process should the project manager reinforce to address this concern?
Answer: Control Quality
Control Quality monitors and records results of quality activities to ensure deliverables meet standards, which is especially important after fast tracking increases rework risk.