Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life

Critical Thinking Case Study

Sheila Clark

University Of Phoenix

Interdisciplinary Capstone Course

GEN/480

Rafael Gaeta

May 05, 2011

Critical Thinking Case Study

Analysis

1. Describe all assumptions seen in any documents provided in the case study.

For full credit, provide at minimum: four to six assumptions held by Kelly; six to nine assumptions held by Pat; two to three assumptions held by Cliff; two to three assumptions held by Chris.

A. Kelly- Assumptions:

1. Pat is talking to developers on his staff, which is undercutting Kelly's authority.

2. He is in disagreement with Pat's way of doing business.

3. Previous staff cuts make it hard to complete necessary work.

4. Kelly does not believe with the amount of staff they have they can develop a new product by an August deadline.

5. Kelly assumes Pat does not have what it takes because he comes from a cereal industry.

6. Does not see this working with the current budget.

As Director of Development, Kelly must track existing work and provide support to existing customers. Kelly has experience with the original iScanner and does not think Pat has an understanding, and therefore should work on another project.

Kelly is not in agreement with the product getting completed in the goal time. Because Kelly was the original developer on the past project does not want to consider outsourcing. He has experience to understand how to launch the new product. Kelly's experience makes his argument logical but also can be seen as personal opinion.

B. Pat- Assumptions:

1. To expand new markets the company must progress in the marketplace by expanding existing products.

2. Pat receives no support by the director of production development, Kelly.

3. To deliver the product to market before the competition a fast turnaround in development and implementation is essential.

4. Pat believes with new technology a delay would give the completion an advantage.

5. The initial cost will pay for itself in 10 years.

6. Outside contractors will be necessary to meet the deadline.

7. To use the new scanning technology to scan shoppers, and allow retail owner to track customer shopping habits and generate reports on shopper movement.

8. The development team is seen as a roadblock to bringing Operations Optimize to the market.

As the new marketing director she is to provide ideas to help make the company profitable. Pat must meet the goals and objectives to move the company to profit, but has limited resources. Pat has a good argument with wanting to see this product in the retail sector. She wants the assistance for the Product Development team to work with her plan to build this new product by the deadline.

Pat wanted to see the scanner launched only in the retail industry. Pat's job is to use the existing products to develop a new product for a new market. Although she has a good vision, she is not getting the cooperation of Product Development. She is not taking into consideration what is required to build this type of system. Pat is looking to meet her goal so her decisions are based on emotion.

C. Cliff -Assumptions:

1. The company is not doing well, 15% cuts are necessary in all areas.

2. Pat's success as a creative marketing force will prove to boost AcuScan's place in the market.

3. Putting a retail version of Acuscan on the market before the end of the year will put them in front of the competition.

As Chief Executive Officer, of AucScan, Cliff's goal is to continue to be profitable and grow the company taking them into another aspect. With the current products having restrictions the company is losing money. Cliff's job is to make the company more profitable and keep it from going into a downward spiral. He must stay within budget and requests the new project to be completed by the deadline with no added funds to the budget.

Cliff wants to keep the company in good standings and needs to show increased profits by the end of the year. His argument is sound because he needs to keep the best interest of the company in mind and work toward a more profitable future. He wants to lead the company in this new project to grow the company and keep ahead of the competition. This argument is logical and sound.

D. Chris - Assumptions:

1. Need to cut costs by 15% without layoffs.

2. Has left the issue of the product for Kelly and Pat to work out.

3. With the development department under pressure Chris needs to explain the arguments made by both Kelly and Pat.

4. It would not take much time to produce the new product, it needs some repackaging.

As the VP of Product Development, Chris is obligated to the CEO and must work with within the goals of the company. Chris argues the company must expand quickly before the competition gets to the consumer. If the product does not get to market by the end of the year it would put the company at a disadvantage with another company already working on a new product.

Cliff wants to keep the company in good standings and needs to show increased profits by the end of the year. His argument is sound because he needs to keep the best interest of the company in mind and work toward a more profitable future. He wants to lead the company in this new project to grow the company and keep ahead of the competition. This argument is logical and sound.

1. Describe