I feel like that's the same underlying issue: The requirements are not understood upfront.

If a customer cannot give you any specific information, you cannot cut any corners. You're pretty much forced to build a general framework, so that as the requirements become clearer, you're still equipped to handle them.

I guess, the alternative is building a prototype, which you're allowed to throw away afterwards. I've never been able to do that, because our management does not understand that concept.

I've seen a lot of contractors over promising timelines too. "No matter how hard you push and no matter what the priority, you can't increase the speed of light."

But yeah exactly.

Preach brother!