[KarlInOhio]

How much is corruption vs. incompetence vs. forced underestimates on the initial plans? I've been on too many projects where the engineers make estimates based on their experience only to have three or more levels of management each cut 10-20% of the cost plus add features to get the contract. When we get the final contract we immediately say "Impossible. The original plan was optimistic. The new schedule is insane."

[cgbg]

Incompetence is a factor for sure—that can usually explain no more than the first doubling of costs.

Anything after that requires an additional explanation.

I have told my story often (after the statute of limitations expired :-) )—many decades ago I personally bribed MA politicians to get special favors for my business. They were “honest crooks”, though—after they took the money they did as they were told—the bureaucratic quagmire disappeared like magic.