![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Critical-path-method-template.jpg\")
\t<\/div>Get your free<\/p>\n
Critical Path Template<\/h3>\n
\n\tUse this free Critical Path Template to manage your projects better.<\/p>\n\tGet the Template<\/a>\n<\/div> \n\n <\/p>\n That said, rearranging activities in your project to fast-track them can increase risk. Because you\u2019re now executing all activities at once, project managers might have to rework the project. If not planned thoroughly, project fast-tracking could increase the chances of risks which could push the final deadline further out.<\/p>\n Whichever schedule compression technique is used, controlling the schedule, especially manipulating it to get done quickly, requires project management software. Most scheduling for projects is done on a Gantt chart.<\/p>\n ProjectManager<\/a> has an interactive Gantt chart that can be used to make a detailed project schedule that allows you to assign tasks to team members, allocate resources, track costs, identify task dependencies, find the critical path and much more. You can also fast-track project schedules by simply dragging and dropping tasks in the visual timeline to adjust their due dates and duration. Try ProjectManager today for free.<\/p>\n When fast-tracking a project schedule<\/a>, first ask five questions. If you answer yes to the following, then it means the project can be fast-tracked:<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve determined that the project can benefit from fast-tracking, then it\u2019s time to follow these steps.<\/p>\n To better understand how the fast-tracking process works, let\u2019s go over a real-life scenario. We\u2019ll use ProjectManager to make a project schedule and fast-track it.<\/p>\n Imagine a residential construction contractor who has been hired to build a house. A construction agreement between the contractor and the project owner has been signed, which specifies a project scope of work<\/a> and a due date for the completion of the project, which is expected to be delivered within a maximum of 10 months.<\/p>\n However, shortly after the beginning of the project execution, the wood suppliers began having shortage issues, affecting the contractor\u2019s ability to procure this raw material.<\/p>\n This prevents the contractor from starting the project on time, which begins to affect the overall project timeline<\/a> as days go by. Once the contractor can procure wood, the project can start, but now it\u2019s time to implement a fast-tracking approach to get this delayed project back on track.<\/p>\n This is the original project schedule made using ProjectManager\u2019s Gantt chart<\/a>. Each task is represented with a bar, and their length depends on their duration. As shown in the image below, each task is meant to be completed sequentially, which means one task must be finished before the next can start.<\/p>\n That construction schedule<\/a> must now be fast-tracked by executing tasks in parallel. This is possible for tasks that don\u2019t have a dependency. For example, the wood framing, sheathing installation and wiring can be completed in parallel, with some tasks still starting slightly before others. The same is true for the insulation, drywall and interior work.<\/p>\n However, some tasks can\u2019t be fast-tracked, such as roofing work, which can\u2019t begin if the walls haven\u2019t been built. Here\u2019s what the compressed schedule looks like. Tasks are now closer to each other in the Gantt chart<\/a>, which means the overall project timeline has been shortened.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve created over 100 free project management templates<\/a> to help with all the stages of the project life cycle. Here are some that can help with project scheduling and fast-tracking.<\/p>\n This free Gantt chart template for Excel automatically generates a visual timeline that can fast-track a project schedule by adjusting the project tasks\u2019 due dates and duration.<\/p>\n Track the status, priority level, task dependencies and due dates of project tasks in a simple spreadsheet with this free task tracker template for Excel.<\/p>\n Executing tasks in parallel requires careful planning to ensure that project resources such as labor or materials will be available when needed. This free template is ideal for scheduling the utilization of resources in a project calendar.<\/p>\n Fast-tracking is not without its risks, which we\u2019ll get to. In fact, fast-tracking will increase the chances of risks occurring. But there are benefits to fast-tracking\u2014or project managers wouldn\u2019t turn to it when they need to tighten up their schedules.<\/p>\n One of the reasons that project managers will fast-track a project is that it increases productivity in the scheduling resource utilization<\/a> of the project. Of course, fast-track projects will help make up for lost time or complete the project sooner if that\u2019s necessary.<\/p>\n You might need to end the project sooner than planned because of circumstances changing which make it impossible to keep to the original schedule. It will also allow for meeting specific priorities that might have been impossible with the original schedule.<\/p>\n Fast-tracking a project will increase risk\u2014you\u2019re no longer working in sequence, but all at once. Parallel work is harder to manage because you\u2019re trying to control everything at once.<\/p>\n Also, when managing all the activities in a project at once, you still have to manage the triple constraint<\/a> to deliver on the quality and scope and stay within the budget. That\u2019s hard when you\u2019re working one activity at a time and only becomes exponentially more difficult as you fast-track.<\/p>\n Fast-tracking requires extra planning because of the increased risk level. If you\u2019re not careful, the project becomes too risky to attempt fast-tracking. Any benefits might be overshadowed by issues and problems that can sidetrack the project or worse.<\/p>\n Project crashing<\/a> is a technique wherein more resources are added to the project while attempting to keep costs low.<\/p>\n These cost and schedule changes are analyzed to get the maximum compression for the least cost to the project. However, crashing will add costs to the project because it involves increasing resources.<\/p>\n The analysis of cost and schedule tradeoffs is based on the lowest crash cost per unit of time. This gives teams insight into which activities have the most value while not racking up too much cost. The results of such analysis are shared as a crash graph. The crash graph shows activities that save the most time with the least increase in cost.<\/p>\n Project crashing is only viable when adding resources will complete the project sooner. The extra resources can include overtime, incentives and more. The additional costs of achieving this goal are reviewed.<\/p>\n Schedule compression<\/a> is used to shorten project duration. That can be achieved through two techniques, fast-tracking and project crashing. Both have their pros and cons, so let\u2019s look at both and see how they compare.<\/p>\n Fast-tracking is executing project activities at the same time. Project crashing is adding resources<\/a>. Therefore, both can help make up for lost time, but fast-tracking is not likely to impact the budget, while project crashing will require additional costs.<\/p>\n As noted, there is more risk associated with fast-tracking and more costs with a project crashing. These differences don\u2019t make one better or worse than the other. They\u2019re different and should be used for different reasons. In short, it depends on the project.<\/p>\n If you choose fast-tracking the project, be sure to keep those activities in parallel to those that are on the critical path<\/a>. If the critical path cannot be made shorter, then there’s no chance to shorten the project’s duration.<\/p>\n Planning is key to successful fast-tracking in project management. In addition to planning, you must monitor and track the project closely to identify risks when they arise and resolve them quickly. ProjectManager is online project management software<\/a> that provides real-time data to make better decisions to keep projects on track.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve already explained how to plan fast-tracking on our Gantt chart, which filters for the critical path, but once the schedule is fast-tracked, make sure it goes according to plan. That\u2019s where our real-time dashboard<\/a> comes in. Unlike other tools, our dashboard doesn\u2019t have to be configured. It\u2019s ready to go, automatically collecting and calculating live data that displays in easy-to-read charts and graphs. It\u2019s like an instant status report whenever you need it.<\/p>\n Teams need to execute all activities at once, but it\u2019s unlikely they\u2019ll want to use a Gantt chart. Our multiple project views allow teams to work how they want. With robust\u00a0task lists, kanban boards<\/a> that visualize workflow or a calendar that keeps important dates front and center, teams can work how they want. All data is updated simultaneously across every tool so everyone is working on the most current data. This is especially helpful for teams who might work in different locations.<\/p>\n Our collaborative platform keeps teams connected and productive, but stakeholders also require updates. They\u2019re not going to need the same granular information teams need to execute activities, which is why ProjectManager’s reporting feature<\/a> can be filtered to show just the data stakeholders want to see. Get reports on costs, tasks, workload and more. They\u2019re all easy to share with stakeholders whether they want a PDF or printout.<\/p>\n ProjectManager is award-winning project scheduling software<\/a> that organizes work to keep you productive and organized. Control your schedule with Gantt charts, monitor in real-time and easily reallocate resources to help you fast-track your projects and get them in early without substituting quality or breaking your budget. Try ProjectManager today for free!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"ProjectManager's](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Manufacturing-gantt-chart-light-mode-costs-exposed-cta-e1712005286389-1600x659.jpg\")
<\/a>When to Fast-Track a Project Schedule<\/h2>\n
\n
How to Fast-Track a Project Schedule<\/h2>\n
\n
Fast Tracking Example<\/h2>\n
![\"construction](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/residential-construction-project-schedule-1-1600x459.png\")
<\/a>\n![\"construction](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/fast-tracking-project-schedule.png\"){kind=tracking}
<\/a>\nProject Fast Tracking Templates<\/h2>\n
Gantt Chart Template<\/a><\/h3>\n
Task Tracker Template<\/a><\/h3>\n
Resource Plan Template<\/a><\/h3>\n
Benefits of Fast Tracking<\/h2>\n
What Are the Risks of Fast Tracking a Project?<\/h2>\n
What Is Project Crashing?<\/h2>\n
Project Fast Tracking vs. Project Crashing<\/h2>\n
How Can Project Management Software Help With Fast Tracking?<\/h2>\n
Track Key Project Metrics on Dashboards<\/h3>\n
![\"ProjectManager's](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/portfolio-dashboard-screenshot-lightmode-1600x786.png\")
<\/a>\nMultiple Project Views for Flexibility<\/h3>\n
![\"ProjectManager's](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/kanban-light-mode-manufacturing-order-process-150-zoom-collaboration-1600x786.png\")
<\/a>\nGenerate Instant Reports<\/h3>\n
![\"ProjectManager's](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Project-portfolio-status-report-1600x876.png\")
<\/a>\n