Here's a shorter version of my earlier question in case it was way too long and wordy. It's informal research.

Have you experienced a scenario in which you did not feel accountable (or felt less accountable) for the outcome of some development work you did because of bad decisions that were forced upon you?

I'm interested in any specifics, including how you felt about it. Or even just, "Yes, that's happened to me."

The key detail is that in this situation you felt the person who made the decision was or should be accountable, and that you were not accountable or less accountable.

Thanks