Fast Tracking in Project Management

This paper discusses the concept of fast tracking in project management. Fast tracking is a technique that can be used for overlapping activities or phases of a project in order to compress the timeline and shorten the duration of a project.

To use fast tracking effectively, it is important to identify those activities that are candidate for this type of scheduling. Generally, these will be activities that have some degree of independence from other tasks so that they can be performed parallel with each other without any overlap of resources or critical paths. It is also important to note that while compression may provide time savings, it may add risk as well. An analysis must be conducted to ensure that the benefit outweighs the potential risks associated with such an approach.

Additionally, there are a few strategies that can be utilized to optimize the fast tracking process. First, project teams should ensure that they develop and monitor a realistic schedule. This means understanding the typical duration of activities and building in padding for delays or changes. Second, team members should identify any areas where tasks can be combined or streamlined to further compress the timeline. Third, stakeholders must be made aware of any risks associated with fast tracking so that they understand why it is important to stick to the agreed upon timeline and avoid scope creep when possible.

Ultimately, fast tracking can provide effective time savings if used correctly; however all plans must be carefully considered before action is taken as there are inherent risks with this type of scheduling method. By taking into account these considerations and utilizing strategies such as realistic scheduling, task combining, and risk awareness, project teams can ensure they are achieving the most time savings while minimizing any associated risks.

Ultimately, fast tracking is a useful tool to compress the timeline of a project when managed correctly. It is important for the project team to be aware of the risks involved with this approach and take steps to mitigate them including realistic scheduling, task combining, and communicating potential risks with stakeholders. By taking these considerations into account, projects can successfully utilize fast tracking without compromising quality or safety. This paper has discussed the key considerations that must be taken into account in order to successfully use fast tracking in project management.