Wonderful Philosophy. But it's something I don't think it will work. I have to get requirements from who I'll call "end clients." Not being in a position of authority my choices become pull this information from THESE clients or not have a job. The end clients do not have enough respect for what we're trying to do (or apparently, us) to do their homework before hand. Thus we are stuck in the meeting, for however long it takes, to get all the information we need. It may take a couple hours. It may take more than one multi-hour meeting. On one project, it took three 2-hour meetings -- just to grab the initial requirement descriptions. But we can't do our project without the information, the clients are unable or unwilling to provide the information when we ask for it unless we are there interviewing them. Even at the meeting, if there is more than one representative (and sometimes that is inescapable) they will argue about the requirements. We have to guide them through the conceptualization of the project. Yes, it sucks, but yeah, nothing I can do. I believe wholeheartedly that your principals are good and ideal. But they're ideal in an almost Platonic sense. Unless EVERYONE signs on to the principles and adopts the appropriate work habits, they are unachievable ideals.