That may be the case. It certainly seems to be, based on thre rumors about him. However, it’s up to management to lead and keep a handle on what’s happening. When he stepped on that stage, it wasn’t as Scott Forstall, but as one of many representatives of Apple, Inc. It may have been his arrogance, but when he said that in an Apple keynote, it became the company’s.

At the end of the day, if Scott Forstall and the Maps team hung themselves, it was because they were allowed the rope to do it with. I’m hoping that the new management structure, and the collaboration it is supposed to foster, will prevent this kind of thing in the future.

I don’t completely agree. The guy who touted Maps on stage is now gone. Say what you want about how his personality clashes with upper management got him fired. I think it is just as likely “his” arrogance was his undoing, and by extension, led to the Apple Maps debacle.

Here’s the thing, though. Unlike Siri, Apple didn’t call this beta software. They boldly marched on stage and touted Maps as the most advanced and beautiful mapping software available. They oversold so much that Tim Cook had to publicly fall on his sword. It is my personal belief that they really thought what they delivered would work as advertised, and that people would overlook the shortcomings without major complaint. This is the drawback of a culture built on secrecy and staying within the bubble.