Maturing [Re: Time required to write down "wisdom" ...]

[Keith Moore]

> I guess it's obvious, but if we were late with all the
> specifications, we would be also guaranteed to miss
> all the windows.  Since the windows are unpredictable,
> the temptation becomes irresistable to keep working
> on the specification for longer, because, hey, the
> window might still be open, and there might still
> be a bug if we would just look harder...

actually the argument is often made that we have to complete the
specification immediately, whether it's ready or not, because
we'll miss the unpredictable 'window'. 

I suspect it's also possible for specifications to be completed too soon
- either before the real needs are understood or before the market is
ready for them.  and nobody wants to dust off a 10-year old spec
even if it is within epsilon of what is needed for the current problem.