Fast Tracking

Fast Tracking is a schedule compression technique in which activities or phases that are normally done in sequence are performed in parallel for at least a portion of their duration. This method accelerates project timelines but increases risk and complexity.

Key Aspects of Fast Tracking

• Reduces Project Duration – Helps meet tight deadlines by overlapping tasks.
• Applies to Dependent Activities – Works best when tasks have finish-to-start dependencies.
• Increases Risk & Rework Potential – May require additional coordination to prevent errors.
• Common in High-Priority Projects – Often used when schedule constraints are critical.

Fast Tracking vs. Crashing

Technique	Description	Impact on Cost	Impact on Risk
Fast Tracking	Performing activities in parallel instead of sequentially.	No additional cost but may require extra effort.	Higher risk due to increased dependencies.
Crashing	Adding extra resources to speed up completion.	Increases cost due to overtime or additional labor.	Moderate risk, mainly from cost overruns.

Example Scenarios

Software Development

A project fast-tracks development and testing, allowing QA teams to begin validating features before full implementation is complete.

Construction Project

A building project accelerates completion by starting interior work before exterior construction is fully finished, reducing total duration.

Product Launch

A marketing team starts promotional campaigns while product development is still ongoing, ensuring launch readiness.

Mermaid Diagram: Fast Tracking Workflow

graph LR;
    A["Task 1: Design"] -->|Standard Workflow| B["Task 2: Development"]
    B -->|Standard Workflow| C["Task 3: Testing"]
    
    A -->|Fast Tracking| C

Why Fast Tracking Matters

• Speeds Up Project Completion – Useful in deadline-driven projects.
• Avoids Additional Costs – Unlike crashing, no extra labor is needed.
• Requires Careful Risk Management – Overlapping tasks increase error potential.
• Improves Time-to-Market – Helps deliver products and services faster.

See also: Crashing, Schedule Compression, Critical Path Method (CPM), Project Schedule Optimization.