In which situation would a pacing delay likely occur?

A pacing delay occurs when a contractor intentionally delays their work to match or take advantage of delays caused by another party. In this situation, the contractor might decide to slow their progress in order to avoid additional costs or penalties associated with completing their work ahead of schedule while another party is unable to proceed. This tactic is often used strategically in project management to avoid being the only party progressing, thereby reducing the potential for being overstaffed or incurring unnecessary expenses.

In contrast, the other scenarios describe different types of project impacts. When a contractor speeds up work to finish earlier, it’s an instance of acceleration, not a pacing delay. Unforeseen weather conditions would typically lead to delays due to external factors beyond the contractors' control, while budget reductions that force slower work could result in a general slowdown but are not specifically strategic in relation to another party's delay. Thus, the essence of a pacing delay is about intentionality and strategy in response to another party's actions, making the selection in this context appropriate.