Crashing of Operations

Crashing is a project management technique that is used to shorten the project schedule by adding additional resources to the critical path activities. This is done by reducing the duration of these activities, which can help to bring the project back on schedule or accelerate the completion date.

The following are some key steps involved in the crashing of operations:

Identify the critical path: The first step is to identify the critical path, which is the sequence of activities that must be completed on time to avoid delaying the project completion date.

Determine the crash cost: The next step is to determine the cost of crashing each activity. This involves estimating the additional resources required to shorten the duration of the activity and the associated cost.

Determine the crash time: Once the crash cost is determined, the next step is to determine the crash time, which is the shortest possible duration for each critical path activity.

Determine the optimal crashing plan: The optimal crashing plan is determined by identifying the activities that can be crashed at the lowest cost per unit of time. This involves comparing the cost of crashing each activity with the time saved.

Implement the crashing plan: Once the optimal crashing plan is determined, the next step is to implement it by adding the additional resources required to the critical path activities. This may involve adding additional staff, working overtime, or outsourcing some activities.

Monitor progress: As the project progresses, it is important to monitor the progress of the critical path activities to ensure that the project remains on schedule. This may involve re-evaluating the crashing plan and making adjustments as necessary.

Crashing can be an effective technique for bringing a project back on schedule or accelerating its completion date. However, it can also be costly, and it is important to carefully evaluate the cost and benefits of crashing before implementing this technique.