[jdcskillet]

I work in a very similar environment. I thought forcing a change would work, "they'll see, if I just work on this and show them", and technically it did. Except it then became the norm. Now if we don't deliver X number of features in tight deadlines plus all the expected but not well thought out "improvements", it is looked at like a failure by the clients. My point : setting expectations internally and externally is equally important. Don't go too far off the reservation with your ideas, but quite frankly, you're too valuable to completely stop you. Find a happy medium that works till you gain the skills you need to possibly move yourself elsewhere (internally or externally).

Not the worlds greatest advice, not the way I would want someone to start off doing, but something I am and feel I had to do to make my life more meaningful. Good luck!

[hinkley]

I find a plumber or electrician analogy works pretty well here. They have a job to do, there are only so many ways to do it that aren't stark raving mad, and they'll be fucked if they're going to do it your way because your ten minutes of thinking about the problem space informs you it's the 'right thing to do'.