What is Fast Tracking in Project Management?
Fast tracking is a project management technique used to shorten a project’s timeline by performing tasks in parallel that would normally be done sequentially. Instead of waiting for one phase to be completed before starting the next, project managers overlap activities to accelerate delivery. Unlike project crashing, which relies on adding extra resources, fast tracking focuses on reordering work to save time without necessarily increasing costs.
This approach is often applied when deadlines are moved up or when stakeholders push for earlier delivery. For example, a construction team might begin interior design work before all structural inspections are completed, or a software team could start testing certain features while development is still in progress. While this overlap can help the project finish sooner, it introduces higher risks. Dependencies between tasks may cause rework if changes in earlier stages affect parallel work.
Fast tracking requires careful planning, clear communication, and a strong understanding of task dependencies. Project managers must evaluate which tasks can safely run at the same time without jeopardizing quality or compliance. If executed well, it can deliver significant time savings and help meet critical deadlines. However, if poorly managed, it can increase errors, create confusion, and extend the project longer than planned.