Ethics Awareness Inventory

Case Study Assignment

Robert Gardley

Gen 480

Professor Constance Van Guilder

November 1, 2006

1. Provide 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:

Kelly assumes that because of his short staff she won't have time for the new product development. He also makes the assumption that his department won't have time to maintain the existing service if they are to develop a new product. When Pat asks Kelly when he would like to meet to talk about the project Kelly assumes that they will just argue again. Kelly assumes that Pat has not heard about quality control. Kelly assumes that Pat is going behind his back and talking to her programmers.

B. Pat:

Software design department do not see the path to "product optimize" launch and are unable to complete the project by the deadline. Cliff's new budget crunch on the project should not delay the launch from August. She assumes that her programmers are the best and that they will get the project done on time. Pat assumes that if a new prototype is presented to customers by the first of August, the customers will be thrilled. She also assumes that a prototype that is not completely finished is not a problem. Pat assumes that Kelly has not heard of iterations. After talking to one of the programmers, Pat assumes that the programmers have time to finish the new project. Pat assumes that Kelly goes behind her back with Chris. Pat assumes that her problems at hand are bigger than replying to the questions I have for her.

C. Cliff:

Assumes all departments can lower their budgets by 15%. Assumes the product will be launched on August first.

D. Chris: Assumes there is a conflict between Marketing and Product development. Assume all departments can cut there budgets by 15%. Assumes that budget cuts will not cause lay offs. Assumes that this project is a challenge but it can be done under the circumstances.

2. Explain the arguments made by each of these people

A. Cliff O'Connor:

Assume budget can be lowered by 15%. Believes the project budget is problematic and needs to be lowered by 1/3. The product must be launch by August.

B. Pat Lambert:

Company software designers working on the project are unable to launch the product on the desired deadline and therefore recommend contracting an outside software firm to finish and launch the product on time. Pat argues that it is not a problem to release an unfinished prototype to customers on August first and the customers will be thrilled because it is the first to market. Pat argues that the programmers have sufficient time to finish the new project and that she know this because she spoke to a programmer and he confirmed this information. Pat argues that she can get the new project done without Kelly. Pat also argues that this project can save the company and all Kelly wants to do is the same old things the same old way.

C. Kelly Thomas: Kelly argues that his product development department won't have the time to develop the new product due to under staffing. Kelly argues to Pat that if they meet to discuss the project that they will just argue again. Kelly argues to Pat that she does not know what is involved in programming and that programming is not just keystrokes, that there is planning, testing and quality control. Kelly argues that he spoke with Chris and he thinks the budget looks flimsy unless the company can come up with something workable. Kelly argues that Pat is going behind his back and speaking with his programmers. Kelly argues that marketing people don't have an understanding of how products work. Kelly argues that Pat has a lack of knowledge of how the iscanner software works because she thinks the alterations that need to be made are minimal.

D. Chris Martinas:

Chris is unable to get the same story from Pat and Kelly. Project, sales, and service revenue are falling and its time to take extreme action. Must get serious about the budget crisis and reduce it by 15%. Chris argues for employees not to panic because he is determined to not lay anyone off. Chris argues that it is necessary for the future of the company to complete the new product launch on the set date.

3. Evaluate each argument listed above as sound or unsound and why. Indicate whether they are emotional or logical in nature.

A. Cliff O'Connor:

Cliff's argument that all department budgets can be reduced by 15% is logical in nature and is sound because as CEO he has a realistic view of how much of the budget cuts are possible. Cliff's argument that the new projects budget needs to be lowered by 1/3 is logical. Cliff's argument that the new product can be launched on August first is unsound and emotional in nature. Cliff is not working day in and day out with the programming team, as is Kelly, and therefore does not have a correct estimation of when the product will be ready for launch.

B. Pat Lambert:

Pat's argument that the company's program department does not have the capability to finish the new project is unsound and illogical. As Kelly mentioned in his counter argument, that the programming staff has been cut by 25% and does not have the man power to finish the product. It is therefore illogical to expect an understaffed group of programmers to finish a product when they are understaffed. Pat's argument which stated that it is not a big problem to launch an unfinished prototype to customers and those customers will be thrilled is an unsound and illogical assumption and argument. Customers may not like that the product is not finished and may not function completely. Pat's argument that she can get the project done without Kelly's help is emotional in nature and unsound. Pat does not seem to take Kelly's argument seriously and dismiss them as

...