Critical reasoning — identify implicit assumptions Statement: “Please put more people on the job to make up for the delay.” Assumptions: I. Delay is inevitable in most jobs. II. Adding more people to the task will increase output and help recover the schedule.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Only assumption II is implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The manager’s request aims to accelerate progress by increasing staffing. The question asks which assumptions are necessary for this request to be a reasonable plan for recovering from delay.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • A delay has occurred; the speaker seeks to “make up for” it.
  • Assumption I: Delays are inevitable in most jobs (a general claim).
  • Assumption II: More people will raise throughput so that lost time can be recovered.


Concept / Approach:
An implicit assumption is one without which the directive collapses. The request presupposes that increasing team size improves output (at least in the short term and for this work). It does not require a general belief that delays are inevitable in most jobs.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Focus on causality: more people → higher output → schedule recovery.Negate II: If adding people does not improve productivity (or causes coordination overhead that cancels gains), the request is ineffective. Thus II is necessary.Negate I: Whether delays are “inevitable” broadly is irrelevant. The current project has a delay; action is proposed regardless of general philosophy about delays. Hence I is not required.Therefore, only II is implicit.


Verification / Alternative check:
In project management, schedule compression (e.g., crashing) assumes resource addition yields more output. That is the enabling assumption for the directive.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Only I / Either / Both: These import an unnecessary generalization about delays.
  • Neither: Fails to recognize the productivity premise behind the request.


Common Pitfalls:
Equating a situational remedy with a broad belief about inevitability of delays; ignoring resource–throughput linkage.



Final Answer:
Only assumption II is implicit

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