Managing resource constraints at Power Train, LTD through project management

Power Train, LTD

How would you create a system to manage the resource constraints?

The case mentions that a project management office might be a valuable tool to help. Considering that the organization is running multiple projects simultaneously, this seems like a reasonable solution. It is unlikely that any adjustments to the multi-project software system will be able to handle all the nuances involved with projects in the organization. The company has almost two thousand employees and is running a large number of projects simultaneously. With all the problems that the company is currently having it seems like a dedicated project office would be necessary to better manage the company's resources.

If the company chooses not to implement a dedicated project office there are some other options that they may consider. One option would be to upgrade the software or to find a replacement. A better system could possibly handle the issues that are plaguing the company. Another option would be to train the different project members to use the existing system more effectively. The problems that the company is having may not necessarily be the software's fault. Rather, it could be attributable to user errors. Thus the company could increase its reliability with the system if users understood how to use the system better.

In your own words, describe crashing, fast tracking, and scope reduction as means of schedule compression. When would each be appropriate? Which methods are considered better first choice methods by most project sponsors?