Why is the Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) considered better suited than the Critical Path Method (CPM) for planning a brand-new national health campaign with no prior experience data?

• A PERT incorporates three time estimates per activity, giving a probabilistic view of project duration ✓
• B PERT uses a single most likely time estimate for each activity, simplifying computation
• C PERT ignores event sequencing and focuses purely on cost optimization
• D PERT guarantees completion within the planned duration through resource levelling

Explanation

PERT assigns each activity optimistic, most likely and pessimistic durations, then derives an expected time weighted toward the most likely value. This probabilistic approach fits projects with uncertain activity times, such as a first-ever campaign with no historical data. CPM uses one deterministic time estimate per activity and suits repetitive, well-understood projects, which is why option B actually describes CPM. Both methods are network-based and sequence-dependent, ruling out option C, and neither guarantees timely completion.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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