The Impact of Schedule Compression Techniques on Construction Project Timelines: A Case Study in Basrah, Iraq

Project managers always compete to finish their projects on time. However, certain circumstances force them to use schedule compression techniques - such as activity crashing, overlapping, and method substitution, to address unplanned delays.

These techniques offer practical means to accelerate project timelines; however, their degree of effectiveness can vary widely across different projects and contexts. Nevertheless, such circumstances make compressing construction project schedules an important consideration for avoiding financial losses and protecting stakeholders' interests.

The paper aims to evaluate the effect of schedule compression techniques on a construction project located in one of Basrah’s oil fields in Iraq. A case study approach is followed for discussing time-cost trade-offs, challenges, and outcomes with such techniques, including their financial implications, strategies for mitigating risks, and the management of resources.

The results provide insights that are useful in the optimisation of project schedules while ensuring that constraints for cost, safety, and operation are met.