Six Sigma Global Institute (SSGI) Project Management Professional Certification Practice Exam

What does the term "crashing" refer to in project management?

1. Reducing costs of the project

2. Steps taken to reduce project timeframe

3. Eliminating unnecessary project tasks

4. Increasing the project scope

The correct answer is: Steps taken to reduce project timeframe

The term "crashing" in project management specifically refers to steps taken to reduce the project timeframe. This technique is commonly adopted when there is a need to expedite the completion of a project to meet deadlines or respond to changes in priorities. Crashing typically involves adding extra resources to critical tasks to shorten their duration. It’s important to note that while crashing can help achieve faster project completion, it may also lead to increased costs due to the additional resources required. In contrast, reducing costs of the project does not align with the concept of crashing, as crashing often involves spending more to accelerate timelines. Eliminating unnecessary project tasks focuses on improving efficiency through scope management but does not directly address timeline reduction. Increasing the project scope contradicts the essence of crashing, which aims to compress time rather than expand the project elements. Hence, the emphasis on reducing the project timeframe is the most accurate description of what crashing entails.