CompTIA Project+ Practice Test

What is the process of crashing a schedule?

1. Performing a re-baseline of the project schedule

2. Performing critical path activities simultaneously

3. Adding resources to critical path activities

4. Estimating the earned value of the project activities

The correct answer is: Adding resources to critical path activities

The process of crashing a schedule involves adding resources to critical path activities in order to reduce the overall project duration. This technique is often employed when a project is behind schedule and needs to expedite its completion without changing the project's scope. By allocating additional resources—such as manpower, equipment, or money—project managers can typically speed up the execution of specific tasks that are critical to project delivery. In project management, the critical path represents the sequence of tasks that determine the minimum project duration. Crashing specifically targets these activities, as any reduction in their duration will directly result in shortening the project timeline. It's important to note that crashing often involves careful consideration of the added costs, as allocating additional resources can lead to increased expenses. The other options do not align with the concept of crashing. For instance, re-baselining the project schedule refers to updating the project's schedule based on the current status rather than actively trying to reduce its duration. Performing critical path activities simultaneously may not always be feasible and could lead to resource conflicts. Estimating earned value is related to assessing project performance but does not involve altering the schedule itself. Thus, adding resources to critical path activities directly embodies the strategy of crashing a schedule.