A comprehensive construction schedule is prepared after collecting which sets of foundational planning data?

Introduction / Context:
Effective scheduling requires accurate inputs describing scope, productivity, and resource capacities. This question assesses understanding of the data categories required to develop a realistic construction schedule.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We must identify all key inputs to scheduling.
• Options include counts of operations, productivity of labour and machinery, and item quantities.
• Scheduling aims to map tasks to time given resources and quantities.

Concept / Approach:
A schedule links quantities to production rates to estimate durations and resource needs. Therefore planners need quantities of work, the number and sequence of operations, and productivity of both labour and equipment to compute durations and overlaps.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Determine quantities for each work item (e.g., excavation volume, concrete volume).Step 2: Establish the list/number of operations forming the work breakdown.Step 3: Obtain labour output (units per day per gang) and machinery output (units per hour or day per machine).Step 4: Compute activity durations = quantity / production rate and build the network/bar chart.

Verification / Alternative check:
Cross-checking estimated durations with historical productivity data validates the schedule and supports resource leveling.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• number of operations: Necessary but insufficient alone.
• output of labour / output of machinery: Needed but incomplete without quantities.
• quantity of various items: Essential but requires production rates and sequencing.

Common Pitfalls:
Using generic durations without grounding in actual quantities and production rates; ignoring equipment utilization or labour gang sizes.

Final Answer:
all the above.