Estimating Practice Exam

In fast tracking, what is emphasized to expedite project completion?

1. Reduced costs

2. Minimized overlap

3. Overlap between stages

4. Sequential completion of tasks

The correct answer is: Overlap between stages

Fast tracking is a project management technique that focuses on accelerating project timelines by overlapping various tasks or stages that would typically be done sequentially. The emphasis on overlap between stages allows for parts of the project to be executed concurrently rather than waiting for one stage to be fully completed before starting the next. This approach can significantly reduce the total project duration by making better use of available resources and potentially shortening the overall timeline. The other choices do not accurately reflect the core principle of fast tracking. For example, reduced costs can be an indirect benefit of faster completion but is not the main focus of fast tracking. Minimized overlap contradicts the essence of the technique, which seeks to create overlaps intentionally. Sequential completion of tasks aligns more with traditional project management methods, where tasks are carried out one after the other without overlap, thereby missing the key idea behind fast tracking.