In CPM scheduling, what is meant by 'crashing' a project?
Correct Answer
B) Reducing project duration by adding resources to critical path activities
Crashing a project means reducing the project duration by adding resources (labor, equipment, or working overtime) to critical path activities, typically at an increased cost per unit time saved.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Project crashing in CPM scheduling specifically refers to the technique of shortening the overall project duration by allocating additional resources to activities on the critical path. This involves adding more workers, equipment, or authorizing overtime work to complete critical activities faster. The key characteristic of crashing is that it focuses exclusively on critical path activities since only these activities can actually reduce total project duration. While this approach increases costs, it achieves the primary goal of completing the project sooner than originally scheduled.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Extending the project duration to reduce costs
This describes the opposite of crashing - extending duration to reduce costs is called 'fast tracking' in reverse or simply poor project management. Crashing specifically aims to reduce, not extend, project duration.
Option C: Canceling non-essential activities
Canceling activities is not crashing - it's scope reduction. Crashing maintains all project deliverables while accelerating completion through resource addition, not activity elimination.
Option D: Rescheduling activities to avoid resource conflicts
This describes resource leveling or smoothing, which optimizes resource allocation without necessarily reducing project duration. Crashing specifically focuses on duration reduction through resource addition.
Memory Technique
Think 'CRASH = Critical path + Resources Added + Shorter duration + Higher cost' - the four key elements of project crashing.
Reference Hint
Project Management chapter, specifically CPM/PERT scheduling methods and time-cost trade-off analysis sections
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