So I started a new job back in April with a the developer on a government project being developed by a reputable international organization, lets call them R. Once the project reaches a an acceptable release stage, maintenance, changes and integration into the eco system falls to me. This project started about 3 years ago and the original team from R was "changed" because they claimed the product was ready for go live when it wasn't.

My job since then has mostly been analyst and QA work identifying issues with conversations like this:

Me to Client: I don't think this feature is working as it should be.

Client: You're right.

R.dev: This feature is working according to signed off SRS and assumptions register.

Client: Yes but the SRS and assumptions are wrong.

Me: Facepalms. Oh this other feature isn't working correctly either, this should generate A according to SRS but I'm getting G.

R.dev: Yes but that would take a major change to the system.

Me: [Blank stare]

R.dev: Ok, we can give you E.

Client: OK we corrected the errors in the SRS and the assumptions register we've signed off on this, please use these going forward.

R.dev: OK we reviewed and made changes.

Client: Um, these are wrong the calculations are off.

R.dev: We did it according to your SRS and assumptions register.

Client: Oh, wait, these formulas are wrong.

Me & R.dev: [Blank stares furiously]

Client: The sponsor won't pay the next stage until you reach an acceptable release. Fix these critical issues and we can worry about the rest in support.

R.dev: ... OK, we will deliver by X date.

[7 Days to delivery of changes]
R.dev: We postponed development till (deliveryDate + 8) when we meet with the sponsor.

Me: But that's when we should start the next UAT for go live for the New Year...

I left a management job for this so I could code more. 180 issues later I still haven't seen the source code... fml

Silver Lining: Still gettin' paid though