Your organization has a project that is expected to last 20 months but the customer would really like the project completed in 18 months.
You have worked on similar projects in the past and believe that you could fast track the project and reach the 18 month deadline.
What increases when you fast track a project?
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A. B. C. D.A.
When a project is fast-tracked, it means that the project schedule is compressed to deliver the project in a shorter period than originally planned. While this approach can help to meet tight deadlines, it also increases certain project aspects.
The correct answer to the question is A. Risks.
Fast-tracking a project can increase risks because the compressed schedule can create a time crunch that could lead to quality issues, errors, and potential rework. A shorter timeline can also result in reduced time for testing and quality assurance, increasing the likelihood of errors or problems going unnoticed until later in the project's lifecycle. Additionally, fast-tracking may require project team members to work overtime or take on additional tasks, which can lead to fatigue, burnout, and potential mistakes.
While it is possible that some project costs may increase due to fast-tracking (Option B), this is not always the case. For example, if the project team can deliver the project faster without adding more resources or hiring additional contractors, the cost may not increase significantly.
Fast-tracking can increase the demand for resources (Option C) as more work is completed in a shorter amount of time. However, this is not always the case, and the project team may be able to manage resources effectively without significant increases in demand.
Lastly, fast-tracking can have an impact on communication (Option D) within the project team and with external stakeholders. With a compressed timeline, there may be less time available to communicate and coordinate effectively, increasing the potential for misunderstandings, miscommunications, and delays.
In summary, when a project is fast-tracked, the most significant increase is usually the risks associated with the project. While other project aspects such as costs, resources, and communication may also be affected, the increased risks should be a top consideration when deciding whether to pursue a fast-tracked project schedule.