Assertion: The longest path in PERT (Programme Evaluation and Review Technique) and CPM (Critical Path Method) is identified as the critical path.

Reasoning: The critical path represents the sequence of those activities which are important for timely completion of the project and where no delays can be allowed without delaying the entire project.

Both Assertion (A) and reasoning (R) are correct and but R is not the correct explanation of A.

The correct answer is Option 2: Both Assertion (A) and reasoning (R) are correct and but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Assertion (A): The longest path in PERT (Programme Evaluation and Review Technique) and CPM (Critical Path Method) is identified as the critical path.

• This assertion is accurate. In both PERT and CPM, the critical path is determined by identifying the longest path through a network diagram. The critical path represents the sequence of activities that determine the shortest duration for completing the project.

Reasoning (R): The critical path represents the sequence of those activities which are important for timely completion of the project and where no delays can be allowed without delaying the entire project.

• This reasoning provides an accurate description of the critical path. It emphasizes that the critical path comprises activities crucial for completing the project on time and where any delays would impact the overall project duration.

However, the reasoning provides a description of critical path and it does not provide a direct explanation the assertion i.e why the longest path is identified as the critical path.

"The longest path in the PERT/CPM network is identified as the critical path. It represents the sequence of those activities which are important for timely completion of the project and where no delays can be allowed without delaying the entire project."