This chapter addresses strategies for reducing project duration either prior to
setting the baseline for the project or in the midst of project execution. Choice
of options is based on the constraints surrounding the project. Here the project
priority matrix introduced in Chapter 4 comes into play. For example, there are
many more options available for reducing project time if you are not resource
constrained than if you cannot spend more than your original budget. We will
begin first by examining the reasons for reducing project duration followed by
a discussion of different options for accelerating project completion. The
chapter will conclude with the classic time-cost framework for selecting which
activities to “crash.” Crash is a term that has emerged in the Project Management
lexicon for shortening the duration of an activity or project beyond when it can
be normally done.