Mr. Liu proposed: "Last year, during the short-term promotion, sales increased by 20%, so this time investing another 5 million in short-term promotions will definitely boost annual performance." From the perspective of the five-step logical closure method, what does this plan most lack?

Answer: D

• AClear conclusion—it does not specify how much money to invest or what promotion to run.✗ Incorrect. The conclusion, 'invest 5 million in short-term promotions,' is already specific; it does not lack a clear conclusion.
• BGeneral principle—it does not explain the relationship between promotions and sales.✗ Incorrect. 'Short-term promotions can boost sales' is the implied general principle; Mr. Liu already holds this principle, but the issue is that he fails to check its applicability boundary.
• CSpecific facts—it does not provide any data from last year's promotion.✗ Incorrect. The stem already provides the fact of 'a 20% increase in sales'; what is missing is not the fact but a reflection on whether this fact is sustainable.
• DExceptions and boundaries—it does not consider that the boost from short-term promotion may be a one-time stimulus, with performance declining after the promotion ends, and it also lacks stop-loss or exit conditions.✓ Correct. Short-term promotions may borrow from future demand, so one cannot directly conclude that annual performance will improve; it is necessary to set up a pilot phase, observation period, and stopping criteria.