Another solution may be fast-tracking, which involves over-lapping tasks which were initially scheduled sequentially. Or you might be able to optimize your schedule in other areas.
- For example, maybe you can split long tasks into smaller chunks to squeeze more work into a shorter period of time
- reduce lag times between tasks
- or reduce the scope to eliminate less important tasks.
Finally, sometimes the best method is some combination of resource addition and schedule activity alteration. For instance, adding aditional, qualified people to the task to be completed earlier and re-assign members with less experience to tasks that do not have a pressing deadline. In addition to re-assigning members so they are more productive, you may be able to re-schedule projects so several items can be worked on at once instead of sequentially. Be creative - you may have to "crash" differently with every project!
The key to project crashing is attaining maximum reduction in schedule time with minimum cost. Quite simply, the time to stop crashing is when it no longer becomes cost effective. A simple guideline is:
- Crash only activities that are critical.
- Crash from the least expensive to most expensive.
- Crash an activity only until:
- It reaches its maximum time reduction.
- It casues another path to also become critical.
- It becomes more expensive to crash than not to crash.
Business and its environment are more complex today than ever before, so project managers must become more rational in their decision making by using the most effective tools and techniques. Before you decide to crash a project, make sure you've looked at all of the possible options and thoroughly evaluated cost analysis models. That way you can achieve the greatest results for your efforts.
Tip: To avoid crashing your schedule in the first place, try implementing some standard project management forms to keep your project on track.