[st4lz]

You describe something that I experience in almost any organisation. I am not a CS grad, I've seen many projects in different technologies through the years and also have more business-oriented mindset as for software engineer. The amount of arbitrary requirements in code, especially in languages with no clear code styles (like Python) and specifically with people who don't expose themselves to different technologies (work in the same company for years or so) is a major productivity and motivation killer.

What are the useful techniques to deal with such people? Many times, it is just easier to comply to their vague requirements rather than engage in prolonged discussions, as they usually don't have the ability or will to look at things from the other side. I consider escalation to a higher management the last resort.

Does anyone produced some successful strategies to deal with that?