fasttracking

FastTracking is a project management technique used to shorten a project’s duration by overlapping activities that would normally be performed in sequence. The idea is to execute parts of the project in parallel or with partial sequence changes, so the overall schedule is compressed without increasing the total scope. FastTracking relies on careful planning of dependencies, resource availability, and risk management because overlaps can introduce rework, coordination challenges, or quality issues.

In practice, the technique is commonly applied in construction, product development, software projects, and other initiatives with a defined critical path. The process typically involves identifying activities on the critical path, evaluating which relationships can be overlapped without compromising safety, design integrity, or compliance, and implementing the overlaps with appropriate controls. Ongoing monitoring is essential to manage emergent risks, resource conflicts, and potential rework.

Advantages of fast-tracking include shorter project duration, earlier realization of benefits, and the potential for improved return on investment. However, these gains come with trade-offs such as increased risk of rework, greater coordination and communication demands, and the possibility of quality issues if overlaps are poorly managed. It is not always feasible, especially when dependencies are rigid or regulatory requirements constrain concurrent work.

FastTracking is often contrasted with crashing, another schedule compression method that adds resources to shorten duration but typically increases cost. The choice between fast-tracking and other methods depends on project risk tolerance, budget, and the ability to manage overlapping activities effectively.