What does fast tracking mean in construction scheduling?

Fast tracking in construction scheduling refers to the approach of overlapping phases of the project schedule to expedite completion. This method is employed to shorten the overall project duration by beginning subsequent phases before the preceding ones are fully completed. For example, design work might continue while site preparation is already underway, or construction could start on one section of a building while design work for another section is still in progress.

This strategy allows for improved efficiency, helps to meet tight deadlines, and can be particularly beneficial in scenarios where time is of the essence. However, it does carry risks, such as potential conflicts between phases, increased complexity in management, and potential quality control challenges since some tasks may not have been fully finalized before subsequent tasks begin.

The other options do not accurately describe the concept of fast tracking. Some may refer to overall project management practices or impacts, but they do not encapsulate the specific idea of overlapping phases, which is the hallmark of fast tracking in construction scheduling.