Develop a strategic plan for the dissertation. Focus on the topic as soon as possible and organize Ph.D. coursework around the dissertation theme. The term papers that you write for graduate courses and seminars can serve as the foundation for the individual chapters of the dissertation.
Select a dissertation chairperson who has a hands-on approach with her Ph.D. students. Some advisers allow their students to do the bulk of the work themselves, while other advisers prefer to be more involved. Find an adviser that has the time to meet you on a regular basis while you write the dissertation, to critique your writing step-by-step. The adviser's guidance and editorial comments can significantly speed up the writing process.
Put together a committee for the dissertation who are sympathetic with your desire to take a fast track approach. In addition to the dissertation chairperson, the individual members of the dissertation committee can make a significant contribution to completing the dissertation sooner. Don't put together a committee that doesn't get along with one another. Political infighting among the committee members can easily lead to significant delays completing the dissertation.
Apply for a dissertation fellowship or research award. A dissertation award or fellowship allows you to concentrate all your time and energy on the projeact. Universities offer a few dissertation awards for their Ph.D. students. You also may be able to get outside dissertation awards and fellowships. Dissertation awards and fellowships are competitive. It is important to select an interesting topic, have a high graduate GPA and write a persuasive dissertation proposal.