[constantine42]

It's funny to say, but I can't agree. I've designed and implemented many custom systems for which there was never a predecessor, and not only did it work splendidly at first release, but have been extended and enhanced many times over the years with no refactoring. Many of these systems have been extended enough to start taking over other systems that were never intended.

Design a system to be modular from the very beginning with only the most fundamental of API signatures and you win. Many of these signatures may even no-op for years, but because they're fundamental to the problem, you know there could be a case where they're needed.

I've never had a failed or late project and most of my projects are ones that were assigned to me because no other team would touch them due to all of the attention and required SLAs.