Select the correct comprehensive statement about CPM and PERT: orientation, uncertainty treatment, and time–cost linkage.

Introduction / Context:
CPM and PERT are canonical network techniques in project management. Knowing their orientation and assumptions guides method selection, interpretation of floats, and risk handling.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We must judge multiple statements about CPM and PERT.
• Only one option provides the best overall characterisation.

Concept / Approach:
CPM (Critical Path Method) is activity-oriented and assumes deterministic durations; it also supports time–cost optimisation (crashing). PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is event-oriented and models duration uncertainty using a, m, b with expected times.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Evaluate A: True—CPM focuses on activities.Evaluate B: True—PERT historically emphasises events and probabilistic times.Evaluate C: True—CPM uses single (deterministic) durations.Evaluate D: True—CPM includes time–cost trade-off analyses (crashing).Therefore E (All the above) is correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbook comparisons of CPM vs PERT consistently list these differences and capabilities.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Picking A, B, C, or D alone omits other equally correct facets.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming PERT and CPM are interchangeable; forgetting time–cost trade-off is more closely tied to CPM.

Final Answer:
All the above.