[michaelrwolfe]

Diego, I don't disagree with your post...there is no reason that someone hiking from SF to LA shouldn't do their homework, be realistic, be prepared, push back on their boss who wants them to do it faster, and do it better the second time.

But I'm not covering how the world should work. I'm covering how it does work. The reason this article resonates is precisely because we all see the same mistakes being made again and again.

I also agree that many software projects are more analogous to Columbus's trip to the new world...a tough trip even if you knew for sure there was a new world and where it was, almost impossible if you don't.

But realistically most people are working on web sites, enterprise apps, mobile apps, where there is enough prior experience that we should be able to make reasonable estimates. We aren't curing cancer here.

Yes the same mistakes get made again and again...